By Maia Engelbrecht and Imma Martinez Leger
Beatfreaked, the school talent show, took place on a Thursday night, ran until 10 PM, and, for the second year in a row now, ended with a rendition of “Sweet Caroline” by the teacher band. And yet, this ostensibly inconvenient timing and sense of predictability don’t seem to matter to the audience; the tradition remains a success.
Although the very event is a school tradition, the nature of it hardly ever wields any restraints over the participants’ agency and self-expression. This, combined with its annual schedule, is likely what people appreciate about it; it’s a truly unique and singular event. For the most recent concert, tickets completely sold out, and, while people waited outside the theatre, forming a line that curved beyond any reasonable expectation even for the most overzealous of parents, many still harboured the belief that they could get in without having booked seats at all.
“Personally, for me, I just really like performing live,” said Ozgur Genc, a grade 10 performer, when asked why so many artists choose to perform at Beatfreaked. “That adrenaline always gets me, it’s so fun, and you never quite lose that excitement.”
Ozgur performed songs ranging from One Republic to Metallica, the latter of which he performed with his long-together band, Vantablack. “We’re very excited,” he said about the then-upcoming performance, “we’ve been working on it for a while.”
That night, he and his band delivered a proficient and powerful performance. However, not everyone was entirely receptive to the kind of music that bands such as Vantablack perform. The diverse nature of Beatfreaked, although part of the appeal, does inevitably result in scattered enthusiasm, rather than an unrelenting embrace from every audience member. However, there is at least one thing for everyone.
The precarious nature of the audience’s reactions, however, did not seem to affect the performers, as, for many, the experience is personal as well as communal. “I love performing, and I love playing music. I’ve always loved it.” Said Rishona Gauba, another grade 10 artist, who performed acts with their sister, friends, and their band, Anastasian. “I feel like it’s a way to express myself because it’s a big part of who I am and my identity.”
The energy was relatively high throughout the show. However, it undoubtedly fluctuated during the latter half. The countless acts inevitably led to audience fatigue, and many became restless.
Perhaps, in the future, the performances should not be hosted on a school night, or, at the very least, the number of acts should be moderated.
Despite these inconveniences, Beatfreaked is still a hugely important aspect of our school culture, and these performance opportunities bear a large significance to the school’s musicians.
“It took me a long time to find my music, and being able to share that with people who support me is a very comforting feeling.” Said Rishona. “It’s a great tradition, and I’m very grateful to be part of it.”
