On Oct. 1, the backyard of a student house became a stage.
Every fall, the Queen’s Conference on the Entertainment Industry (QCEI) hosts their annual Unplugged talent show. This year, it was in the backyard of 28 Garrett Street. The yard was spacious enough for the crowd of around 70 people. The audience was encouraged to bring blankets or chairs to sit on, but there were small benches provided, and many people were content to stand.
The environment was casual, and everyone seemed very comfortable. Throughout the show, the executive team handed out chips and fruit snacks, and provided hot dogs during the intermission. QCEI co-Chair Ella Barwell, ArtSci ’27, believes that Unplugged is a great demonstration of how welcoming their club is.
“Yes, it’s a talent show, but it’s also the lowest-pressure environment possible,” Barwell wrote in a statement to The Journal. “Unplugged is a safe space for those with a passion for performing to step into the spotlight.”
The sunset was a pleasant backdrop for the eventful night. String lights lit the performing area, which created a cozy atmosphere as the night went on.
Guests began to fill the space around 6:30 p.m. and shortly after, Barwell and her fellow co-chair, Ella Cassanova, Comm ’27, opened the event with a short speech to thank their team for putting the event together.
The QCEI MC came out to introduce the first performance by Ellie McArthur, ArtSci ’27, Jackson Dawson-Skully, Comm ’27, and Beckett Gumley-Titcombe, ArtSci ’27.
Since there is no selection process, anyone can perform anything they’d like. In the past, QCEI has had musical performances as well as stand up performances. This year, however, there were only musicians.
All performers sat on lawn chairs in front of microphones and performed with their own guitars, which were plugged into an amplifier, making the music easy to hear.
Many of the performances were covers of well-known songs, and the audience was encouraged to sing along if they knew the words. Oasis’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” was a hit amongst the crowd.
There were also several original songs performed. Many performers, including Barwell, performed their own music, which received very positive reactions from the audience.
“[Unplugged] also shows people just how much hidden talent there is at Queen’s,” Barwell said. “It’s amazing that so many people like this exist on campus, and I love that Unplugged gives them a chance to connect with each other.”
As the evening came to an end, the crowd continued to cheer on and sing along with performers. The informal setting made participation from the audience and performers easy and gave musicians and onlookers alike to explore new talent within their university.
For QCEI executives and Queen’s students alike, the event offered a simple way to bring people together through a shared love for live music. Unplugged showcases Queen’s rising musicians, giving them a place to be heard and make connections.
Tags
backyard, covers, Live Music, Music, talent
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