The Story
Eric Hutchinson Rocks Matoaka Ampitheatre
On Saturday, September 4, 2010, members of the student body were lucky enough to see Eric Hutchinson live at the Matoaka Amphitheatre, an event sponsored by Alma Mater Productions. Under a blanket of stars, students enjoyed great music, friends and some of the most pleasant weather we’ve yet seen this academic year.
It proved to be just the event to unite the school as we all welcomed back the school year, as, with the exception of Convocation, it was one of the few events that brought together students new and old.
Before the main event, Shane Gamble, a native of the District of Columbia, entertained us with his lyrical prowess and sincerity. He played songs both from his 2005 album Behind the Blue, his recent 2009 EP One Balloon and his newest album to be released later this month. Gamble was the perfect precursor to Hutchinson, a bit mellower than his cohort yet still engaging enough for the venue.
Eric Hutchinson energetically appeared, bringing with him as he danced his way across the stage a surge of excitement from the crowd. In his crisp, white suit, he had everyone absorbed in his music through all of his lively keyboard ballads. He played various songs from his 2008 album Sounds Like This, as well as some newer songs that will be released on his next album. Banging away on his keyboard, it was hard not to compare Hutchinson to Ben Folds, Billy Joel or even Stevie Wonder. He rocked the night with an incredible stage presence, even though, as he was well aware, much of the crowd had probably never heard his music before.
A highlight of the show was a hilariously contrived song about freshmen that he made up instantly on stage, telling the Class of 2014 that though they were having a wonderful time at the show with their newfound friends, things wouldn’t last. Inevitably, these fresh relationships, he joked, would crumble and be replaced by other ones -- for how much can these new students know each other after just two weeks?
Throughout the night, he remained lighthearted but also understanding and relatable, having attended Emerson College in Boston not too long ago. His strongest fan base appeared in the form of about a hundred vivacious girls in the pit, dancing and singing the night away as he entertained their shrieks of delight and their endless laughter. It was a fun night for everyone, both students and Hutchinson.
Though all of his songs were well played, most students would probably agree that his hit “Rock & Roll” was the highlight of the night. The crowd danced and sang along as Hutchinson filled the Amphitheatre with his melodic voice: “If they want to rock, they rock / If they want to roll, they roll.”
Overall, the concert was an enormous success, and a fantastic way to mark the beginning of the school year. After all, few things are better than good music, good weather, and good friends.