Golden Magnet’s Showcase Concert Brings Creativity and Cool to Pitt’s Campus

Photos and recap by Melanie Stangl

The first-ever Golden Magnet Label Showcase last Friday, safe to say, was a smashing success. Between the lively crowd that grew to fill the Assembly Room at William Pitt Union; the impromptu dance circle that broke out during the intermittent spinning of WPTS Radio’s DJ’s; the ambience granted by the psychedelic lights and backdrop animation behind the stage; and of course, the performances themselves, everything came together, and demonstrated the creativity and uniqueness that Golden Magnet is all about. None of this could have happened without the hard work and enthusiasm of Pitt’s radio station, WPTS, who co-sponsored the event. Judging from the passionate cheers which crescendoed at the end of the night, urging Delicious Pastries to play “One more song! One more song!,” this crossover effort was mutually beneficial.

David Bernabo of Host Skull kicked things off with an intricate solo set shortly after 7 PM. He was followed by Sleep Experiments, whose setlist included “When I Was a Boy” and “To the Shore” from their newest album Passages, the first to be released under the Golden Magnet name. Their immersive dream pop was superbly executed, leaving the crowd spellbound. Mariage Blanc performed next, their first show in several months while they’ve been working on a new record. From their popular song “Whatever You Say I Am” to more recent tracks such as “We’ve Got Time,” off of their 2015 release, “No Autobiography,” they delivered their lush, inventive indie pop seamlessly.

WPTS DJ’s filled the space between sets with high-energy tracks, and it was while Delicious Pastries was setting up that a dance circle emerged in the crowd. Several people courageously stepped in to strut their stuff. But the famed Will Milner, who’s made a reputation for himself at local shows as someone who’s never afraid to bust a move, ultimately stole the show. He was joined by a young girl, whose carefree moves were adorable and heartwarming. It was a testament to the positive vibes the music was inducing.

Eventually, however, Delicious Pastries were ready to go. Their set was, par for the course, fantastic. They performed complex and compelling music with passion and impressive smoothness; not even a broken string on Burr Settles’ guitar threw them off for too long. They mixed tracks from their upcoming album with old standbys, as well as the single they released last summer, “Pygmalion Cantations.” The crowd adored the skill and sense of fun they brought to their intoxicating tunes, enhanced by the trippy background and multi-colored spinning lights. The audience loudly insisted on an encore after the guys had said their thank you’s and made their exit—happily, they obliged.

All in all, it was the most fun you could have (especially for free) on a winter Friday. Hopefully this is a promising sign of things to come for bringing the university crowds out into our truly impressive music scene. Don’t miss Golden Magnet’s next event.

Host Skull