On Saturday, October 6, people crowded into The Barge Canal Coffee Company at 8 p.m. A Dischords concert was underway once again. Only minutes after the performance started, the Barge had standing room only. It was nearly impossible to order anything because audience was pressed back against the serving counter.

The talented and lively co-ed a capella group, the Dischords, had around 15 members singing at this event. They were able to squeeze onto the venue’s stage, and formed a cozy semi-circle. For each song, a soloist would step up to the microphone to sing the melody, while the remainder of the group sang harmony.

The members seemed very involved in and energetic about each song, they danced along enthusiastically. The group was showing its school spirit for Homecoming weekend, while simultaneously dressing casually; almost everyone was wearing maroon and white or black with a pair of jeans.

The Dischords sang a myriad of recognizable cover songs for the Barge Saturday Nite Music Series, including, “Broken Glass” by Annie Lennox, “Push” by Matchbox 20, “Black Star” by Radiohead, “Standing Still” by Jewel, “The Freshmen” by the Verve Pipe and “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down. The Dischords brought their own style to these popular songs; it was interesting to hear their interpretations of pieces one often only hears on the radio.

The girls seemed very comfortable with each other and their audience, smiling while they sang, and laughing and joking between numbers. They ended the night with “Bring It To Me,” a duet which the girl soloist introduced by explaining that she wanted to sing it to the boy soloist, because he is the best-looking guy in the group. It was a very comic, relaxed atmosphere, and there was never a dull moment.

The concert was surprisingly short, ending before 9 p.m., but the large audience was not disappointed with the performance, only wishing that perhaps it were longer. Some people in the crowd actually held up a sign during one of the songs, and thundering applause followed every song. Much of the audience lingered after the concert to talk to members of the Dischords, many of whom were their friends.

“They were really amazing and I can’t wait to see them on parents’ weekend,” first-year Zoe Gordon said.

Many alumni attended the event as well, and reminisced about their own days as students at Colgate, attending and performing in a capella concerts.

“I thought the concert was amazing. I graduated in 2004, and I thought that the improvement has been phenomenal,” Chris Karmosky ’04 said, adding, “I liked the background vocals.”

“We came back for homecoming for our traditional Scrabble game,” Bridget Ryan ’05 explained, “and we felt like it’s been the quintessential Colgate experience.”

The Dischords certainly proved their worth to that crowd. Some advice for prospective future attendees of Dischords concerts: come early!