[Click to enlarge]

The glistening disco ball rotated slowly, reflecting images of people scattered around the room. It also reflected the main stage of the Syndicate, where the Soulbol-Live! concert entertained with music and dancing that couldn't be contained to a singular era.

The evening was the product of Soulbol, a band made up of current and former NT students. Quenton Moore, who has been a part of the band since its inception in September of 2003, said they normally have six solid members, but for the event they brought in two more for a grand total of eight. Moore said the concert was focused on the students.

"This is our first opening event," Moore said. "We wanted to do something students could come to. I know what it's like to be a college student and not have money." The event was free, but there was a small table next to the stage for anyone who wanted to give money to the band. "Soulbol-live tips, feed your soul," was written on a handmade sign sitting at the table.

The first performance of the evening was a collaboration of Soulbol members and Brandon Walker, another NT student. They performed several songs before relinquishing the stage to the Execs, a rap trio from Austin. A group from TWU, Genesys Dance Inc., as well as a group from NT were scheduled to perform dance pieces throughout the evening.

Close to 100 students were there when the event started at 8 p.m., but as the evening progressed, the crowd grew. Moore said the concert was scheduled to last around two hours, with Soulbol performing approximately 15 songs. He said the group is predominately a cover band and it doesn't stick to any specific genre.

"We're here to show that African- American groups don't just do hip-hop," Moore said. "We play everything from Tejano to Techno and more." Jeremy Horn, Beaumont freshman, said he came to the concert in support of his friend who was playing bass the entire evening. Horn said he generally listened to R&B and blues, but the style of Soulbol was something he found hard to describe.

"There's a lot of very talented musicians out there tonight giving their heart and soul," Horn said. "I think the incorporation of brass instruments [in some of the songs] was really effective."

Several other audience members came out to support friends. Cara Walker, Fort Worth junior, said she came out to see a friend in Soulbol, and she really enjoyed being able to come out and hear music live.

"There should be more [live music] on campus," Walker said. "We're so used to just listening to the radio and we don't get to hear things like this."

Article Tools