“How are we feeling tonight?” echoed through the World Theater as Tomming Jerry’s lead vocalist rallied a crowd ready to rock. The question met with cheers and hollers and set the tone for a night of live music at Cal State Monterey Bay’s (CSUMB) first-ever Music Club concert, “Rock the School.”
Last Thursday, the Music Club’s long-awaited debut concert brought together students and community members with three local bands: Everyday People, Tomming Jerry and Macadamia – each adding a unique style that had the audience dancing, cheering and nodding along.
The night began with a welcome from the event’s hosts, who took a moment to thank attendees for their support and acknowledged the behind-the-scenes tech crew. “We’ve never done anything like this before, and we’re really thankful to have a lot of good bands playing tonight,” one of the hosts said, adding with enthusiasm, “You can headbang all out!”
Everyday People opened with a high-energy Latin rock set, blending trumpets, guitars and congas into a lively beat that quickly energized the crowd. A few audience members ran to the front of the stage to dance, fully immersed in the rhythm and energy of the music.
Tomming Jerry followed, switching up the vibe with grunge rock that added a raw, edgy tone to the night. With a mix of original songs and covers, they engaged the crowd with head-banging rhythms, elevating the excitement in the room.
The final band of the night, Macadamia, brought a thoughtful, folk-inspired sound that added a different layer to the evening’s lineup. Formed just last semester in a campus songwriting class, the band played a mix of soft alternative and folk tunes, including both covers and original pieces. As they wrapped up their set, band member Chloe Cavallaro took a moment to thank the audience, saying, “Music is just so cool. It’s the most powerful thing and it brings so many people together. Thank you for being here and listening.”