Music, cheering and even a spontaneous dance battle filled Toney Auditorium on Friday, Oct. 16 as musicians competed at Cubstock for the opportunity to perform at Mercer's annual spring concert, Bearstock.
This year's competition featured two bands and three solo performers. Ska punk band Kosher Pickle took home the win. Last year, they placed second at Cubstock and had the opportunity to perform at Bearstock.
"We used what we learned at Bearstock to kind of refine and target this semester going in," said Claire Bussler ‘28, a member of Kosher Pickle.
The band rehearsed regularly in preparation for the competition, working to improve its stage presence, musical selections and audience engagement. Members credited the enthusiastic crowd with helping bring their performance to life.
"Just having that energy be reciprocated meant the world," said Elliott Keyser ‘28, Kosher Pickle's frontman and lead vocalist.
Hosted by QuadWorks, Cubstock is an annual competition organized by the student organization's LIVE committee, which coordinates musical events on campus.
"Why not have some student talent at Bearstock on such a bigger stage to give them an opportunity?" said Adrienne Latam, Assistant Director of Campus Life and Student Involvement and QuadWorks adviser. "I think that's pretty unique to be able to be chosen to come perform in front of your peers."
The committee recruited performers, arranged judges and coordinated audiovisual services for the event.
"They did an awesome job scouting out some talent," Latam said. "They really worked hard to get a good roster for tonight, a good show to put on for everybody."
For students new to Cubstock, the event offered an opportunity to experience the excitement of performing before an energetic audience.
"I haven't performed on a stage where it was that interactive with the crowd before," said Zachary Butler ‘30, member of Kosher Pickle. "We got more confident as we were playing."
Another competing band, Gas Club, featured brothers Alesso and John Mathews performing alongside Mercer musicians.
The brothers are from different colleges and explained that performing together at a music business exposition pushed their group to pursue music more seriously.
"We share the same dream and we're helping each other work through this stuff slowly but surely," John Mathews, a junior at Kennesaw State University, said.
Their ambitions extend beyond campus competitions. The brothers hope to continue performing for new audiences and sharing their music wherever opportunities arise.
"We want to play music for everyone in the world," brother Alesso Mathews, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, said.
The musicians described Cubstock as an opportunity to share their craft with an enthusiastic audience while supporting other performers.
"The crowd was electric. So much support and so much good talent that we were competing against," John Mathews said.
With another Cubstock victory secured, Kosher Pickle is looking ahead to returning to the Bearstock stage in the spring. The band hopes to build on its experience and bring even more energy to its next performance.
"We absolutely want to just put on a set that's somehow, if possible, even more fun than tonight," said Blaine Wilkerson '28, a member of Kosher Pickle.
