Lost and Found: WCUR Revives Live Music Scene

It’s an overcast Saturday afternoon, and West Chester University’s music scene is beating back to life. One hundred students, three local bands, and one dream of being cool again came together in late September at a partnering venue in West Chester. 

Concertgoers made their way through the streets of jolly Ocktoberfest to listen to music unlike the German trumpets and accordions a block away. 

I was one of the first to arrive and one of the first to learn that the venue had equipment stolen the night before. College radio, baby. Adjustments were made, and a shared amp for the three acts left only one thing missing: moongel. Colin, the unofficial assistant music director, sprinted into the land of lederhosen, repeating the name of the drum-dampening goo over in his head.  

As the bands took turns for sound check, the music in between tunings came from the overhead speakers. Marcy Playground, The Verve, and Oasis. WCUR was in the right place. 

The bands disappeared into the crowd as the most dedicated WCUR members rolled in first. Molly with her camera, Jack with a plan to mosh, and Pearl with her new WCUR membership. Then, people I’ve never seen before. I tasked myself with keeping the headcount. I lost track at 100. I was a buzz. 

Eye Service went on first, reminding us that this was a student-run show. When the lead singer let out his first emo wail, a food runner rushed a plate of wings through the crowd. Eye Service blessed us with a cover of Unwound’s Corpse Pose, sending me into an uncontrollable head bang. Forget that I had an ankle in a boot– I was close to starting a mosh pit. 

Daisy Chain, an underground West Chester staple, took the second slot. Along with their hometown charisma, they brought their dedicated fans, clasping their water cups with fingers stacked with silver rings. The cup’s condensation probably used to refresh their curls. 

Jumping in the crowd to Daisy Chain’s new single was Redletter Radio, the third act. Traveling from outside the borough and waiting the longest to go on, Redletter was ready. Lucas, Redletter’s drummer, fist bumped Joe, Daisy Chain’s lead singer, as the bands switched spots. 

The emo, grunge mix from the first two bands didn’t sit well with the old heads who wandered in from the Ocktoberfest-infested streets. Even Redletter’s classic rock tendencies didn’t appease the ladies in the balcony who requested Zach Bryan. One of Redletter’s lead singers, Jonas, scoffed, turning back down to the crowd. “The voices from above are saying some crazy sh*t.”

Red Letter Radio has quickly become a friend of the station, performing at the first-ever WCUR Off the Record in-studio concert in mid-October.  

WCUR returns Nov. 8 to Station 142 with new acts Higbee from Lehigh Valley and Here Again from West Chester. Daisy Chain, the third act, returns to the WCUR stage and will perform at the Practice Room on Saturday night. For the love of college radio, go to both shows.