With a different free and open show every weekend, the Barge Canal Coffee Co. never disappoints its customers, and the Dischords’ Valentine’s Day a cappella concert was no exception. Breezing through the door at 8:45 p.m., the 17 members and a crowd of friends launched into a flawless cover of Katy Perry’s “Firework” for sound check. Once everything was set, the group dropped the song mid-beat, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats and wanting more.

It didn’t take long; after a group of Colgate students politely gave up their chairs near the front for family of the Dischords and a few singers set up laptops with friends and family watching, the set began at 9 p.m. with well over 60 people already packed into the room. The group was dressed to fit  the Valentine’s theme, and their seven songs made for an alternatively heartening and heartbreaking night.

With the lyrics “Do you know where your heart is?/Do you think you can find it?” the first song – a rendition of “Say (All I Need)” by OneRepublic that was far better than the original – set the mood for most of the night. It was beautiful, slightly sad and most importantly featured a fantastic group of singers clearly having a great time. Next up was “Fall for You” by Secondhand Serenade, with the lyrics swapped slightly so a female soloist could sing about how a “guy like you is impossible to find” in a duet that, once again, beat the original handily.

Third on the list was “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down, with an introduction that began with the lowest of low notes and built up eerily from there. The arrangement matched the mood of the song perfectly, with lots of crescendos and diminuendos and a cacophony of sound on the choruses. Senior Mitch Tucci took center stage for both “Kryptonite” and the fourth song, a slow, sweet cover of “Either Way” by Guster.

Next up was an old Dischords hit: “King of Spain” by The Tallest Man on Earth, with what looked like some bull-baiting, heart-holding, swooning and thigh-slapping from the group. By the end of what was by far the quickest song, suit jackets were flapping, the windows were steamed up and it was warm in the Barge. Then came “Firework,” in full this time. With building intensity and the highest energy of the night, the song finished off with huge, noticeably tired grins from everyone in the group.

The Dischords closed the night with John Legend’s “Stay With You,” and the lyrics resonated with the audience. Besides being the perfect end to a well-rehearsed, excellent string of songs, it also marked the announcement of another concert in early April. Not only is there more to look forward to with the Dischords, but the Barge is also hosting other fantastic events this semester. Besides the Open Mic nights on the first Friday of every month, the New York-based band Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams – a mainstage event at Glastonbury – will be performing on March 8.