Under the moonlight on Feb. 23, Promontory residents and other students at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) were invited to a unique Residential Advisor-led event: a concert.
The Heartbreak Show, hosted by RA’s and student-performers Cyan Erdita and Bryan Gutierrez, was self-described as “Prom’s 1st Backyard Show,” as it was held at the Promontory basketball court. The show was put on to celebrate the heartbreak often associated after Valentine’s Day according to Erdita. The concert was also an opportunity to promote student artists and celebrate the music scene on campus.
There were “officially” over 130 students registered for the event, but it looked and felt more like 300.
Heartbreak Show featured The Mystic Souls, Sister Four Eyes (formally known as Sexual Crisis) and was headlined by Pak Joko (Erdita’s stage name). From the basketball court to students enjoying the show from above in their apartments, the hype from each of the performing student-artists was felt throughout the night with no dull moment in between.
As Jacob Alfaro, guitarist for Sister Four Eyes put it, “It was a global line-up.”
The Mystic Souls, with Gutierrez as the frontman, lived up to their name with a laid-back set filled with mystical-like vibes, putting the audience into a groove akin to what a great opening act should do.
Sister Four Eyes, although they didn’t stick to any particular genre of music, sent the crowd into a craze with an astonishing and total rock star-like performance from lead singer Roxy Ortiz.
The band opened the set with their interpretation of the classic Nickelodeon song “Ripped Pants” by Spongebob Squarepants. It was truly a situation where no girl would want to dance with Squarepants.
With the concert approaching the end, it was only fitting that Pak Joko would be the one to put the final stamp on a night already filled with fun and community.
His rap performance was expected and well-received, but Joko surprised the crowd with a new sound. Accompanied by his friends, Joko performed two Mexican corrido songs with students dancing and his fans begging him to do a grito, a yell or cry which shows pure joy.
Gutierrez and Erdita put on Heartbreak Show to show that students could have fun at RA events. With students moshing, singing and dancing with the bands, the two believed they proved themselves right and were glad to host a good time to start the weekend off strong.
“It was fire because I got to see my other RAs and see them be happy,” said Erdita. “A lot of people think RA events are just, ‘come to the office and make crafts,’ … [but] when it comes to what an RA event can look like, it’s super badass.”
super cool!!