The annual Oktoberfest event hosted by MEISA, featured live music and a renewed sense of community as the weather turns cold.
Despite some last-minute changes in the lineup Lyndon students and community members gathered to enjoy the beer garden and free food in veterans park. To open the event Robert McNelly took the stage with his trusty acoustic guitar performing a mix of folk and country originals and covers. While he had less than a week to prepare, he blew the crowd away with his soulful voice.
For her debut performance
Shea Ryleigh jumped on stage bringing Mollie Jean on bass, Noah LaPoint on guitar, Kassidy Ardolino on drums, and Max Groft on keys to support her. Shea jumped right in with a heartful performance of “Why Can’t I” by Liz Phair. Wrapped in a white fur coat Shea played into the emotions in the song. After her first song Shea dramatically shed the coat playing into the next song “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings” by Caroline Polachek, playing up the TOO HOT joke with the rest of the band. In addition to the full band Shea pulled some first-year students on stage to support on a few songs with Dakota Santos jumping on drums for one song and Xavier Benware on acoustic guitar. For her debut performance Shea rocked out with the audience and band to create an exciting atmosphere for all.
Headlining the event
Megan From Work took the stage dramatically, prepped with a setlist full of original songs. After their opening song “WASITD” off their album
Girl Suite the band revealed that their lead guitarist called in sick last minute the band pivoted with their rhythm guitarist was filling in on lead guitar and the lead singer playing guitar in addition to vocals. In addition to many songs from
Girl Suite including “The PIMS”, “I’m in I am”, and “City Streets and Highways” the band also performed their two newest singles “Life Into A Movie” and “Back on The Saddle”. Even while missing a member the band did not miss a beat as they performed with a unique style tying in pop, rock, and punk in an emotional way. By the end of the night Megan From Work had students up front and throughout the park dancing along to the title track “Girl Suite” from
Girl Suite. After the band wrapped up students were lining up excited to chat and purchase fun merch and cds.
MEGAN FROM WORK
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SHEA RYLEIGH
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ROBERT MCNELLY
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