The duo Karmin performed with opening act, Kaitlyn Woolling, at Eleanor Roosevelt College’s annual event “Rock N’ Roosevelt” on Friday, February 28 in Price Center West.
Woolling, a UCSD student, opened the concert with a few acoustic songs reminiscent of Mumford and Sons and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Although she coyly admitted to needing “practice on her rapping skills,” she delivered a beautiful and captivating performance.
Just minutes after Woolling’s performance ended, the “daringest duo,” Karmin, took the stage with full energy and excitement. The crowd went in an uproar as lead vocalists Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan began singing their latest hit single, “I Want It All” that came out last month on iTunes.
Throughout the night, Karmin performed a mix of both their old and new songs for the student body with barely any breaks in between the sets.
The crowd was in amazement at Amy’s vocal range when accompanied with instrumentals, as well as when she went acapella – a term understood very well by the band in their other single, “Acapella.”
Heidemann explained to the Tritons in the audience that their new album would include an edgier feel that is a bit of unfamiliar territory for Karmin’s typical range of pop and rap pieces.
She said that their new album, Pulses, which is set to release at the end of the month, will be a roller coaster of emotions – some songs will be happy, sad, angry, and fun. But not to worry Karminites! Karmin is still staying true to their original selves and delivering many upbeat tracks to dance to on the next album.
The couple previewed several new tunes from Pulses such as the title track “Pulses,” “Try Me On,” and “Puppet” to name a few.
Oh, and yes, in case you were wondering, Heidemann and Noonan are a couple! The pair met each other when they attended college in Boston and have been together ever since. In fact, they’re now engaged! (So look out collegiettes, you could meet your future Nick at UCSD, haha.)
The night was one full of constant energy and contagious smiles from the band which progressed to the students, who were wildly interactive and enjoying the show. Heidemann broke off a few times into renditions of chart-topping hits such as “Lights” by Ellie Goulding and “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore, while Noonan wowed the crowd with his trombone skills and pretty amazing dance moves.
One student was even brought on stage to participate in Karmin’s cover of Chris Brown’s “Look at Me Now”– the famous cover that skyrocketed them from YouTube fame to Hollywood fame.
Heidemann and Noonan’s performance ended with the entire crowd clapping and singing along to their famous hit, “Brokenhearted.”
Karmin truly does know how to put on a show which is not only thoroughly entertaining, but extremely fun, engaging, and heart-warming. Their performance was a true testament to the power of college music programs and inspiring for other students that are pursuing that type of field.
Pulses is currently available for pre-order on iTunes, and expected to officially release on March 25, 2014.