Gig Night: what’s next? – Emi S
Becoming a termly staple event at RHS, it’s time to do a deep dive into the past, present, and future of Gig Night.
This article’s a bit of a variation on the regular gig night reports – it’s going to address how gig nights have changed over the years and what’s on the cards for future. But first, a quick retrospective on last Saturday’s gig night:
This term’s gig night was kicked off by Ella I and Jerry T singing a duet, Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars), followed by Oli B, who was singing and drumming Death Cup (mom jeans.). Mathilda K sang Clown (Emeli Sandé), which was followed by Crazy (Gnarls Barkley), sung by Georgi L, and then Katya D playing piano and singing Bloodsucker (CIL).
The ballads continued with Imogen T’s rendition of Glory Box (Portishead) and Bethany L singing Dreams (Fleetwood Mac). Nik P even treated us to a song in Japanese, Shinunoga E-Wa (Fujii Kaze). Here You Come Again (Dolly Parton) was sung by Polly F and The Winner Takes It All (ABBA) by Bella F and Mathilda K. Caitlin K and Raphael O performed a duet of Best Part (Daniel Caesar, H.E.R.), followed by James B singing Wicked Game (Chris Isaak). The first half was brought to a close by Daniel O’s impassioned performance of Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (James Brown).
The second half was opened by Jake A and concert band performing an Elvis medley, followed by Katya and Emi’s Supersonic (Oasis). Aimee A continued the second half with I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams (Weezer); Hebe M then sang an anthemic Chandelier (Sia) and Daria C, accompanied by a brass and a sax quartet, sang Crazy in Love (Beyoncé). After this, Martha K sang a rendition of Need You Now (Lady A), followed by Ned C singing Ain’t No Rest For the Wicked (Cage The Elephant). An acoustic version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow (Eva Cassidy) came after this, sung by Hatty D and accompanied by Lucy T on acoustic guitar and the string section.
Harry R performed Isn’t She Lovely (Stevie Wonder), which was followed by Bella F’s energetic Valerie (Amy Winehouse), and Raphael’s stirring It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World (James Brown). The night was rounded off with an only slightly chaotic rendition of Easy Lover (Phillip Bailey, Phil Collins) sung by Jake A and Obi I. Notable instrumental solos throughout the night were performed by Ed R (guitar), Jack E (saxophone), and Beau L (saxophone), plus the string section made up of Leontine S, Polly F, Stephen L and Beau L, and the sax section made up of Bethany L, Jack E, and Beau L.
Is gig night rock’n’roll enough?
According to some staff, teachers once trembled at the thought of a Saturday night disco duty, fearful of being stampeded by a roughly-formed mosh pit or having their eardrums exploded by speaker distortion turned all the way up to 11. However, in recent years, gig nights have made such musical showpieces a much more mellow offering. With rock music all but disappearing from the charts, individual pupils have stepped forward to deliver pop songs and ballads of the 2010s, with the house band as accompaniment. The increased number of parents attending and circular tables taking up most of the hall have also been a move with the times. The question depends of where your tastes lie – I reckon the more modern gig night concept requires a perfect mix of energetic pop and classic rock, with the odd ballad or metal tune thrown in.
Should teachers be invited to perform at gig night?
Well, I suppose this one’s in the hands of the pupils really. Gig night has long been a ‘pupil-led event’, with song choices, band groups, and accompaniments being organised and performed by pupils (under the watchful eye of Mrs Double, of course – without her we really would be in trouble). But I suppose we wouldn’t be opposed to the odd secret rockstar teacher – you’d have to ask the masses!
Five best songs for gig night (depending on instrumentalists):
This one is absolutely subjective, but aside from Easy Lover, which has been ticked off my metaphorical gig night bingo card:
- Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band (the Hendrix version) – could be a great opener
- Fortunate Son (Creedence Clearwater Revival) – would be a great splash of classic rock, great song and a bit rough around the edges
- Dire Straits – preferably Lady Writer, but I’ll take anything at this point
- While My Guitar Gently Weeps (The Beatles) – anthemic
- Free Bird (Lynyrd Skynyrd) – need I say anything
The Stranglers’ Walk On By could also be good (maybe without the 4 minute keyboard solo), Hendrix’s Crosstown Traffic could incorporate the brass section nicely, and seeing some Aretha Franklin songs would be cool – but it’s up to you!
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