Pouring rain wasn’t going to dampen the energy of the class of 2028.
The 2024 mystery concert, held on Sept. 6, was a night of music to suit everyone’s tastes. The annual event, organized by the Orientation Roundtable (ORT), was headlined by DJ Dillon Francis, supported by JUNO award-winning R&B artist Aqyila, and student band, Carnelian, transforming Miller Hall parking lot into a thumping music venue.
Successfully kept secret till they walked onto the stage, all three acts were a surprise to attendees and staff, creating an air of excitement and anticipation. Despite the bad weather, students attended in large numbers, arriving as soon as doors opened at 6:00 p.m., eager to nab a prime spot. Many came prepared with umbrellas, though these were lowered once the concert started in a show of good concert etiquette.
Staff and volunteers took the rain in stride. With a fully covered stage, artists and equipment weren’t impacted by the weather. Running slightly ahead of schedule, short wait times between sets created a fast-paced concert that kept students entertained.
Student’s guesses for the surprise headliner varied, including Jojo Siwa, Sexxy Red, the Glorious Sons, Central Cee, DJ John Summit, and even Drake.
First up was Carnelian. Comprised of Queen’s students Greyson Martyn, Sci ’25, Duncan MacLaren, Sci ’25, Ryan Ross, Comm ’25, and Angus Carter, BMus ’25. Known on campus as the house band of Clark Hall Pub, they played a lively set that rocked away any remaining clouds.
Playing a mixture of originals and covers, they thrived from crowd engagement. Classic covers like “Kilby Girl” by The Backseat Lovers, “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers and a creative mashup of “Brazil” by Declan McKenna and “Misses” by Dominic Fike, had students jumping.
They encouraged the crowd to move and defy the rain.
“The best way to stay warm is to jump everyone,” lead singer Martyn said.
The Journal spoke with several students about their excitement for the event. For some attendees, the concert was a great way to let go and have some fun outside of the classroom. For others, it was an opportunity to strengthen connections made during their first week at Queen’s.
“Everything has been going so fast. Now I’m excited for things to slow down, and to live in the moment,” Antoinette Katungye, ArtSci, ’28 said in an interview with The Journal.
Second was the JUNO award-winning singer from Toronto, Aqyila. Her smooth R&B sound was a switch-up from the opener, providing a pleasant change of pace. Playing her viral hits such as “Vibe for Me” and “Bloom,” both popular on TikTok, alongside a show-stopping cover of Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain,” Aqyila’s vocal talents were unmatched.
Aqyila’s gratitude for the audience’s support was touching. She closed with her most recent single “Most Wanted.” Its afrobeats sound was embraced by the crowd, who were eager to move.
For Mahuel Bunsie, CompSci ’28, the event was his first concert ever.
“I’m definitely excited. I’ve never been to a concert before, so this is my first experience,” Bunsie told The Journal.
The mystery concert spanned genres, which was well suited to the range of student tastes and experiences. The final artist, and the one everyone was waiting for, was American producer and DJ Dillon Francis. Francis lifted the energy immediately, and his explosive entrance was met with cheers from the crowd.
A key figure in the global electronic music scene since 2010, Francis’s presence at the mystery concert made an impact sure to leave an impression on its attendees and lifted the energy from Aqyila’s pared-back set.
Francis gave the students an absolute masterclass in EDM.
Unafraid to span genres, his set started with house, transitioning into dubstep, a little techno, and even brief forays into jungle and jersey club. Francis’s vitality was infectious, and he praised the students for their enthusiasm, seeming just as thrilled as they were to be there.
Fresh spins on familiar favourites such as Alice Deejay’s “Better off Alone” and “Heads Will Roll” by the Yeah YeahYeahs kept the crowd engaged as they got an education in dance music.
Though not all students stayed till the end of Francis’s performance, a dedicated chunk of dancers were committed right until the last song.
Overall, the mystery concert was a tightly organized, musically varied show that ended Orientation Week with a bang.
Tags
Dillon Francis, DJ, First-years, Mystery Concert, o-week, orientation
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s)-in-Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to journal_editors@ams.queensu.ca.