HOP brings pop concert to Fall Fest

This year's infectiously catchy Fall Fest concert featured songs that can still be heard in hums around campus.

The line-up consisted of Canadian singer-songwriter Lights, rock band Cute Is What We Aim For and headliners Boys Like Girls. The Recreation Center basketball courts were transformed into a respectable venue for the evening (think high school prom). The set, whether on purpose or due to lack of space, was subtle and placed the focus on the music. There was a fair turn-out for the concert, though a large number of attendees were high-schoolers.

Lights, a talented 19-year-old from Ontario, performed a short set of songs from her recently released self-titled EP and upcoming album, to be released next year. Her attire, a brightly striped headband, gray dress and keyboard guitar, seemed a fitting representation of her music. She definitely had a unique sound - reminiscent of the female singer/songwriters of the '90s alternative era except much happier, created by melodious keyboard, bubbly synthesizing and a soft, pretty voice.

The band, comprised of a drummer and keyboardist, along with the synthesizer, supplied the right notes, and the singer's voice accented them well, creating an ethereal feel to her music. She often danced along to her songs and got some of the crowd to follow but most seemed to be waiting for the next act.

Cute Is What We Aim For, first formed in 2005 with two ex-members of the ska band Cherry Bing, followed Lights. They started off strong with great crowd interaction, making everyone laugh with witty remarks made between most songs. While they are a rock band, most of their songs had a distinct pop sound. The band members clearly enjoyed playing together, were full of energy and performed solid solos. They leaped across the stage while strumming the bridge, the multi-colored lights flashing in sync with each downbeat.

Their energy translated well to the crowd, with throngs of people jumping and everyone moving to the rhythm. However, most of the songs in the set sounded too similar and repetitive even for pop songs. There were a few attempts at deviation, notably the song "Hollywood," which featured rap-like vocals, an angrier tone and harsh guitar riffs. The change in energy drew out the evening's first crowd-surfer.

Next, Boys Like Girls exploded onto the stage, then onto the speaker equipment right off center-stage as the set lights flashed likes strobes, and the backdrop was illuminated. Their music was undeniably catchy and upbeat. The solos and instrumental interludes sounded like the CD recordings, and lead singer Martin Johnson showed the audience some love by throwing practically anything he touched into the crowd.

The guys looked like they were having a blast, posing together and thrashing across the entire stage. Johnson busted out an acoustic guitar for a few songs, each opening with a single, white spotlight on him while the rest of the band joined in one at a time. Johnson showcased some great vocals that were not discernible in the other songs.

Of the acoustic performances, "Thunder" was a bit too fast-paced and heavy to be justified, but "Holiday" sounded just mellow enough. The band also performed a great cover of Frou Frou's "Let Go," making the song their own with intense instrumentals. The band summoned a somehow untapped energy reservoir and closed with their hit single "The Great Escape."

High-pitched screams rang out, numerous crowd-surfers rode the wave, and the boys pulled off around-the-world guitar tricks while performing a very strong finish to the show. The only point of annoyance about the finale was the disassembling of the set while the band was in mid-chorus.

The concert lasted about three hours and left everyone smiling and eager to dance the night away. Even though the rock/pop music genre gets overplayed on the radio, it doesn't mean it can't be fun to rock to for a night.