Bringing Back The Oldies - Taylor’s Music Club Signature Event | By Katrina Santha Chelliah
“This club is like a second home to many of the members and this event means a lot to everyone”, quips Bernice, TMC’s president.
Under the helm of Bernice Lee Tyzz Chii, 20, the club carried out its first physical Signature Event since the pandemic.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
This would be the first major showcase event led by Bernice since becoming President six months ago. When asked to pick out the most influential contributors to this event, she refused to answer, insisting that each and every one of the 20 committee members in the team were absolutely crucial in playing a part.
One day before the event, Bernice jokes that the main words she had to describe it so far are ‘stress’ and ‘paranoia’. From having to downsize their event due to logistical issues to going back and forth on the theme chosen, she stresses how none of this would have been possible without her supportive team.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
In an emotional moment, she describes the club as a second home to many of its members and hopes that those attending the event will walk away feeling inspired to join TMC or any other club to find some comfort and a sense of home.
She made sure to mention that ‘If you don't come to the event, you're missing out!”
Photograph by Loh Qiao Yin.
And those words certainly rang true.
With a 27 number strong setlist, TMC gladly took over Lecture Theatre 21 and 22 which gave off amphitheater vibes decorated funkily with a ring of fairy lights on the ground, looking almost like a ring of fire ready for the performers to light it up.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
With tickets fully sold out and a venue waiting to receive a full house, the night was all set for the stars.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
Photograph by Loh Qiao Yin.
One day before the showcase, I managed to catch up with a few of the first-time performers before their big debut on the Taylor’s stage. Esther, 20, a psychology student, was in high spirits about her upcoming performance.
Photograph by Loh Qiao Yin.
With friends and family coming to show support, she mentioned how excited she felt as she has always wanted them to see her spread her wings doing something she loves. Choosing Torn by Natalia Imbruglia, with the help of the guitar accompaniment, she performed her heart out amongst the crowd that happily sang along.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
Emily Tang, 20, a psychology student was to be the maestro on the keyboard tasked with multiple songs on the setlist. The excitement she displayed was resounding and she attributes it to being her first time performing together with a band. When asked to specify a song she was most excited and most nervous about playing, she replied that she had the same answer for both questions –Golden Hour by JKVE. With its many running notes and the fact that the keyboard would be the only instrument played for the live performance of the song, the pressure was on. However, one look at her on the day of, you could never tell. She played that song like a fiddle and delivered an absolutely enthralling performance along with the vocalist, Alvin, which got the crowd to their feet in seconds.
The night ended with a mashup of recent hits Traitor by Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever performed by Renee, Esther, Andrea, Airo and Rayhana. With almost the entire auditorium running towards the center stage to sing and scream their hearts out to the emotional ballads; it was a scene right out of a concert.
Photograph by Loh Qiao Yin.
Special mention has to be given to the exceptional instrumentalists that stole the show as well, with the heart-pumping drums and effortless guitars, TMC pulled off a night to remember, one that will live in their memories for a long time to come.
Photograph by Trinity Wong.
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