Music Notes for the Valley: A Tour of Local Venues

Contributor Henry Bontempo ’25 highlights the Pioneer Valley’s diverse music venues, showcasing how Western Mass. is truly a music lover’s dream.

From House to Home: Beyoncé’s “Renaissance”

Susana Mosquera ’27 dives into the history of Beyonce’s career to explore her move towards country music in her much anticipated new album, “Act II.”

Mezzo-Soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis Shines in Music@Amherst

Managing Arts & Living Editor Sarah Weiner ’24 reviews the third concert in the 2023-2024 Music@Amherst series, noting the concert’s focus on honoring women musicians.

Northampton’s Iron Horse Music Hall to Reopen in May

The Iron Horse, long one of the Pioneer Valley’s most popular music halls, will be reopening for the first time in four years on May 1.

Music Major Charlotte Wang ’24 Presents Composition Thesis “Requiem: Ceaseless Life”

Davis Rennella ’24 sits down with Charlotte Wang ’24, who presented her music composition thesis “Requiem: Ceaseless Life” last weekend.

Context, Creation, Come-Up: Portmanteau

In this week’s 3Cs, Kobe Thompson ’24 interviews Portmanteau; band members Lucas Bernstein ’25, Annika Ridky ’25, Alex Robin ’25, and Chris Tun ’25 talk about their musical influences and enduring friendship.

Jazz@Friedmann Skillfully Closes the Semester

Thursday marked the final performance of Jazz@Friedmann for the semester. Kobe Thompson ’24 applauds the Julian Gerstin Sextet and the student groups Denali and Mesa Verde for their strong close to the series.

Music at Amherst Opens Season with Pianist Simone Dinnerstein

Contributing Writer Lauren Siegel ’27 recounts Simone Dinnerstein’s emotionally charged piano performance at the first concert this semester of the Music at Amherst series.

Vijay Iyer Reflects on Music, Ownership, and Improvisation

In the second installment of the Freedom Talks speaker series, Grammy-award winning musician and professor Vijay Iyer spoke about the Western conception of music as something that can be owned and argued for the need to historicize concepts like improvisation and freedom.

Choral Society Performs Family Weekend Concert

The Choral Society performed their annual Family Weekend concert this past Saturday. It featured spooky pieces, rousing songs, and even an opportunity for alumni to join in.

ASO’s “Profiles in Courage” Continues with MLK Tribute

The Amherst Symphony Orchestra played their second show of the semester this weekend, memorializing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of their “Profiles in Courage” series. Contributing Writing Mila Massaki Gomes ’27 recaps the performance.

American Repertory Shines in ASO Semester Debut

This past Saturday, the Amherst Symphony Orchestra made its season debut with the newest members of ASO and a piece featuring President Michael Elliott.

Saucy Santana To Headline Spring Concert

The Office of Student Affairs announced in a message to The Student that the Spring Concert will be headlined by “Material Girl” rapper Saucy Santana.

Debunking Amherst’s Music Lesson Crisis

Despite its intended goal of increasing the accessibility of music lessons, a recent policy change thwarted some students’ attempts to register for lessons this semester. The Student investigated the source of the difficulties and the outlook for prospective enrollees.

Amherst Choral Society Blossoms in Spring Concert

The Choral Society performed their Spring Concert last Saturday, featuring pieces written by Amherst community members and honoring the group’s graduating seniors.

WAMH x The Student: Fiona Apple

Feminine rage has long been a topic of Fiona Apple’s music, particularly in her 2020 album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters.” Sylvie Wolff ’25 explores the harsh and experimental album that implores women to speak out.

Time-Warped Records: “Play”

In this edition of Time-Warped Records, Columnist Alden Parker ’26 reviews Moby’s 1999 album “Play,” which catapulted the musician from has-been to worldwide superstar.

Content, Creation, Come-Up: Lauren Dinhofer ’23

In this edition of 3 C’s, Columnist Kobe Thompson ’24 talks with Lauren Dinhofer ’23, a multi-talented musician who has cultivated her craft since an early age.

Time-Warped Records: “Hot Fuss”

In this edition of Time-Warped Records, Columnist Alden Parker ’26 reviews “Hot Fuss,” reflecting on the musical themes and young adult angst that helped propel The Killers’ debut album to success.

Time-Warped Records: “Graceland”

In his inaugural edition of Time-Warped Records, Alden Parker ’26 reviews Paul Simon’s 1986 album “Graceland,” detailing Simon’s experience recording in South Africa during apartheid.

Content, Creation, Come Up: Freeman Rabb ’25

Kobe Thompson ’24 sits down with Freeman Rabb ’25 to discuss their latest EP, “At A Catalyst,” how they create and name their work, and the friends and other artists who have provided inspiration along the way.

Context, Creation, Come Up: Kiiren Jackson ’24

In this edition of 3 C’s, Kobe Thompson ’24 sits down with rapper Kiiren Jackson ’24 to discuss an upcoming project that’s been years in the making.

Context, Creation, Come Up: Alex Russell ’23

For the inaugural edition of 3 C’s (Context, Creation, Come-Up), Kobe Thompson ’24 interviews musician Alex Russell ’23 ahead of his debut album “Stardust,” exploring his influences and creative process.

Worlds Collide: ASO, Choral Society, and Jazz Ensemble

For Family Weekend, Amherst musical ensembles collaborated on a performance to celebrate 100 years since voting rights were extended to women in the U.S. Managing Arts and Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener ’23 recounts the powerful and thought-provoking concert.

Swift’s Sun Starts To Set in “Midnights”

Taylor Swift’s latest album, “Midnights,” dropped last week to online buzz and record sales. Managing Arts and Living Editor and resident Taylor Swift expert Brianne LaBare ’25 analyzes Swift’s newest work.

“The Loneliest Time” Is a Great Time

Carly Rae Jepsen’s latest album “The Loneliest Time” was released on Oct. 21, 2022. Miles Garcia ’25 details the well-rounded album’s sparse weaknesses and many strengths.

WAMH x The Student: Live Performances

Concerts have returned in full force, but are they as impactful as iconic pop performances of the past? Victoria Thomas ’25 reflects on her recent experiences seeing Harry Styles and Bruno Mars live.

ASO Welcomes Class of 2026 and President Elliott

On Oct. 1, the Amherst Symphony Orchestra held its first performance of the semester. Managing Arts and Living Editor Madeline Lawson ’25 recaps the concert, which welcomed the Class of 2026 and President Michael Elliott to Amherst.

WAMH x The Student: Neko Case

Neko Case’s music transcends genre and generation. WAMH e-board member Sylvie Wolff ’25 reflects on two of the artist's albums, tracking their presence in her life.

WAMH x The Student: “BREAK THE CURSE”

Arlie’s “BREAK THE CURSE” is the band’s debut album, taking listeners on a journey full of nostalgia and relief. WAMH Publicity Director Helen Feibes ’23 reviews the album and relives her beloved band’s live concert in Cambridge.

Bad Bunny’s Newest Album: End of Summer Vibes

Bad Bunny’s newest album, “Un Verano Sin Ti,” skyrockets up the global charts. Piero Campos ’25 breaks down how the artist embraces his Latinx heritage through evocative lyrics and bachata and merengue inspired beats.

WAMH x The Student: “Renaissance”

This summer, Beyoncé dropped her hit album “Renaissance.” WAMH Events Coordinator Nii-Ayi Aryeetey ’23 delves into the album’s joyous and dynamic tracks, heavily inspired by Black music genres, including House, Ballroom, and disco.

The Symphony Signing Off: ASO’s Season Finale

The Amherst Symphony Orchestra performed their last concert of the season last Saturday. Managing Arts and Living Editor Madeline Lawson ʼ25 reviews the performance, which featured a concerto from violinist Marie Leou ʼ22.

The Legacy of Jazz@Schwemms

Jazz@Friedmann Room has been an important recurring social event on campus amid a slow return to “normalcy.” Davis Rennella ʼ24 chronicles the founding of the program’s predecessor, Jazz@Schwemms.

The “Soul of Calypso”: Celebrating Soca

Looking to explore new music? Tiia McKinney ʼ25 recommends soca, a genre of Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago and is popular at Carnivals.

Moved by a Melody: Choral Society’s Spring Concert

Last Friday, the Amherst College Choral Society performed their Spring concert, “Everlasting Voices.” Managing Arts and Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener ’23 recaps their first performance since the Glee Club’s merger with Chorus.

WAMH x The Student: Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus’s new album, “ATTENTION: MILEY LIVE,” is a collection of the singer’s classic tracks performed live. Victoria Thomas ’25 reflects on the performer’s history and journey of self-discovery, as expressed through the album.

Creativity and Craft: ASO’s Compelling Concertos

The Amherst Symphony Orchestra performed on April 9, expressing solidarity with Ukraine while showcasing senior soloists. Managing Arts and Living Editor Alex Brandfonbrener ʼ23 reviews the performance with insights from Music Director and Conductor Mark Lane Swanson.

Remembering The King of New York and La Reina de Tex-Mex

In memory of the lives of two influential music legends, Piero Campos ʼ25 explores the careers and legacies of The Notorious B.I.G. and Selena. Both artists continue to influence new generations of performers decades after their passing.

WAMH x The Student: “CRASH”

Charli XCX’s newest album “CRASH” is an evolution of the pop star. WAMH Events Coordinator Nii-Ayi Aryeetey ’23 explains that she updates her signature pop style with layered references to musical movements from past decades.

WAMH x The Student: “Shoestring”

“Shoestring” by Felix Ames was released on Feb. 4. Victoria Thomas ʼ25 takes us through the experiences, emotions, and images the song reminds her of.

WAMH x The Student: “Snow is Falling in Manhattan”

Olive Amdur '23 details how David Berman's 2019 song "Snow is Falling in Manhattan" has sparked a newfound appreciation for chilly Amherst winters and the beauty of slowing down.

“Ants From Up There”: A Fulfilling Final Album

Experimental rock group Black Country, New Road recently released their sophomore album "Ants From Up There," which marks the end of frontman Isaac Wood's time with the group. Miles Garcia '25 breaks down the ethereal and intense album.

WAMH × The Student: yeule

WAMH Events Coordinator Nii-Ayi Aryeetey ’23 reviews electronic pop artist yeule's new album, "Glitch Princess," an ambient yet unsettling exploration of body dysmorphia through immersive soundscapes and cathartic songwriting.

WAMH × The Student: Reflecting on Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

Joni Mitchell's birthday on Nov. 7 provides a perfect chance to look back on the varied, introspective, and moving music she created. WAMH host Olive Amdur '23 reflects on "Blue," one of her favorite albums, finding both newness and memories in each of its songs.

Nostalgia and Nothing More: ABBA’s Comeback Falls Short

Abba's "Voyage" is the Swedish group's first album since 1981. Staff Writer Sarah Weiner '24 argues that it might also be the group's worst. Still, she finds a few songs that manage to stand out from the surrounding mess, retaining the groups signature high-energy style.

Taylor Swift Re-records and Reclaims "Red"

With the release of "Red (Taylor's Version)" last Friday, Nov. 12, Taylor Swift ignited her fan base and redefined standards in the music industry. This week, Staff Writer Brianne LaBare '25 discusses Swift's monumental re-recording of her beloved album "Red."

Up Next on the Queue: A&L's Spring 2021 Playlist

With the spring semester drawing to a close and summer rapidly approaching, finals are undoubtedly on everyone’s mind. To liven up your study sessions, the A&L team has put together a colorful array of unique songs that have frequented our playlists in these last few weeks of the semester. Although this collection is thematically disconnected, the beauty of our playlist is the wide variety of genres, from indie to hip-hop, EDM to rock, that make an appearance. We encourage you to take a casual

Performance Gone Virtual: The Sabrinas

In a year bereft of lively, in-person assembly, the Sabrinas have stepped up to fill the void. Despite the pandemic and its misfortunes, the stellar a cappella group has trudged forward, coming back stronger than ever this spring with a modified audition process, revamped social media promotions and an optimistic outlook for in-person performances. As the last segment in our pandemic-inspired feature series, “Performance Gone Virtual,” the A&L editorial team spoke with current music director May

Performance Gone Virtual: Terras Irradient

As the only Christian a cappella group at Amherst, faith is central to Terras Irradient’s performance. In a normal year, the choir shines on stage, making music only with the sounds of their voice. But do these key elements of their performance translate to Zoom? Even with their members spread across the nation, Terras Irradient, or TI for short, has managed to maintain their identity, defined not only by their music and faith, but also by their close-knit community. When students were suddenly

With Vaccination Rates Rising, Music Festivals Cash In

With Covid-19 vaccines becoming increasingly available to all Americans and national infection rates on the decline, several large outdoor music festivals are scheduled to return this summer and fall. Most notably, Rolling Loud (Miami), Governors Ball (New York), Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival (Houston) and the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash (Chicago) have all been rescheduled after having their 2020 editions postponed. For fans of today’s popular music, this is particularly exciting news, gi

"Slime Language 2" Leaves Emerging Rappers in the Lurch

Throughout the late 2010s, Young Thug proved himself as one of this era’s most significant rappers, shaping the genre both sonically and stylistically. While his eccentric delivery and untamed vocal inflections have inspired countless imitators, Thug has also directly promoted several relatively unknown artists by signing them to his Young Stoner Life (YSL) Records imprint under 300 Entertainment. With YSL’s latest release “Slime Language 2,” the follow-up compilation album to 2018’s “Slime Lang

Is Genre Dead?

There are many who seem to believe that the death of genre is imminent. Publications like the New Yorker [https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/old-town-road-and-the-overdue-death-of-genre] and Varsity [https://www.varsity.co.uk/music/18485] have already described such a demise. Varsity references Portugal. The Man’s 2017 hit song “Feel It Still,” noting that it broke down the walls between its pop, rock and funk inspirations. The New Yorker cites Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” for i

Performance Gone Virtual: The Amherst College Bluestockings

A typical fall semester kicks off with the First-Year Showcase in Johnson Chapel, where Amherst’s six a cappella groups  —DQ, Bluestockings, Route 9, Zumbyes, the Sabrinas and Terras Irradient — dazzle the new first-years with a medley of captivating songs, establishing their presence with a variety of performances sprinkled throughout the semester. But ever since the pandemic disrupted the way of life on campus, in-person gatherings have been severely restricted, forcing many performance-based

Amid Covid Restrictions, Student Ensembles Find New Ways to Make Music

The pandemic has been hard for everyone. First-years like myself have come to campus missing out on so much that we’re not even aware of. Many on-campus organizations are dormant or have strict limitations in place. Music ensembles have been hit especially hard due to the inherently intimate nature of music performance and rehearsal. With many students off campus and others discouraged from participating in as many club activities, most musical groups are now much smaller in size and facing chal

In 2021, The Grammys Remain Woefully Out of Touch with Newer Styles of Rap

The 2014 Grammys featured perhaps the most stacked list of nominees for “Best Rap Album” imaginable. Between Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s instant classics “Take Care” and “good kid m.A.A.d City,” Kanye West’s then polarizing but now widely acclaimed “Yeezus,” and Jay-Z’s impressive “Magna Carta Holy Grail,” the voting committee certainly had a tough decision to make. While I hoped and expected that Kendrick Lamar would walk away with the award, I was excited by the prospect of any of these talente