 "Photo: Jesse DeFlorio/Greyhound")
My third row tickets to see Chordbusters on Friday were prime, thanks to a friend that graciously gave me her extra ticket. The show started a few minutes late due to the massive crowd of people trying to cram into the tiny McManus Theatre. The popularity of the Chordbusters concerts, which happen twice a year, rivals all sports-both male and female. Is it really "the Chordbusters" that packs the theatre full for both two-hour shows? Something tells me that the male group, the Chimes, is highly favored over the female group, the Belles.
After seeing both groups perform, I can understand why. By no stretch of the imagination are the the Belles ominous, they're just not as charismatic and invigorating as the the Chimes. The Chimes are louder and more enthusiastic when they perform. They shoelessly dance around stage during songs and joke with the audience with gusto and magnetism. Their reputation on campus is untouchable, especially with the female population at Loyola. Every girl has their "favorite Chime" and they practically melt when they're talked about.
So the Belles obviously played first, as sort of, an opening act if you may. They played the entire set well, unfortunately I found their setlist a bit lulling, as I was unable to recognize most of their songs. The skit they performed to open the entire show was hilarious however, as they boldly mocked the Primo's workers, Father Linnane and the unfavorable "name change." Mad props to the ladies of the Belles for firing back at "The Man."
The Belles were elegantly dressed in white and navy-blue, some in dresses, others in dress pants. The high point of the Belles performance was the encore when they played the song "Crazy," most recently recorded by Gnarls Barkley. Unfortunately, I felt like it was the only time when the Belles were truly pushing their vocal range, belting out the song passionately. All their other songs lacked that spark that the Chimes deliver on every melody.
I had seen the Chimes twice prior to Friday's concert and I was pleased to hear an entirely different setlist. The vocal variety of their voices made every song entertaining and certainly kept me listening and eager in anticipation of what was next. They really pull the audience in with their constant conversation and relaxed attitude. They didn't appear nervous or anxious as they casually belt into the mic and rhythmically move through each song. The Chimes were decked out in their ties, white shirts (usually rolled up) and of course bare feet, a reoccurring tradition.
The highlight of their set, and the entire show was their encore. They bravely covered the popular rap song by Wyclef Jean, "Sweetest Girl." Sideways hats and all, they colorfully rapped through the parts of Lil Wayne, Wyclef Jean and Akon with ease. At the pinnacle of the song, during lyric, "dolla dolla bill," they ferociously flung fake, paper money into the crowd of screaming Loyola Students. When the show was over, I wanted to be a Chime. I think everyone that sees them feels that way.
The Chordbusters concert is well worth the 10 dollar ticket and the three hour wait in line on Wednesday mornings. The tiny McManus theatre makes the concert more intimate and entertaining. I've now been once and I'm sold on the acapella music of Loyola. I'll be in line at six a.m. every semester for the rest of my college life. I want to be front and center for every concert. A year's worth of hard work and practice all came together in two nights of concerts. It's very important that all Loyola students promote the creativity and musical talent of both the Chimes and the Belles. It is truly inspiring to see such a large fan base for a college acapella group, and I have no reservations that it will only continue to grow each year.
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