Cut! First Live Concert of Kinda Session
Everyone stood so tired, but so satisfied and happy. The last clapper exploded from the side of the stage, and tears began to flow through the smiles. This was the first live concert of the student organization Kinda Session, which was held in the Triglinki (COLIVING • TRIGLINKI (vk.com)) Concert Hall on April 12, 2024.
I had an amazing opportunity to be a part of this wonderful event where we, students of different courses and educational programs of the Higher School of Economics, sang our favorite songs. Kinda Session: Live was the name of the event. But it was not just a performance with live music in front of the audience. During the whole concert there was filming of performances and recording of sound in order to make separate releases and post them on social networks. The theme was the "main character moment" concept, where everyone in the audience could feel like the main character of the movie. "we realized that we wanted to convey the cinematic nature of the moment not only through visual design, but also through music" - says the announcement of the event in the Kinda Session VK-group.
That very day
It's 10:00 on the clock, and I woke up with a little excitement before the future event. This is my first performance outside the university walls, and such a state was expected. It's a few hours before I arrive in Triglinki for the final run-through of the performance, so I have time to get ready.
Once I got there by mid-afternoon, I couldn't help but admire the space. I have never seen such a luxurious, yet small-sized hall before. Everything is beautiful here - a large chandelier, moldings, painted ceiling, large windows with access to the balcony, stunning interior in general. At the end of the hall, behind the audience seats, there was a small bar counter.
Before the concert starts, a sound check takes place. The sound director sets up the equipment, the artists rehearse their performances, and those who are not busy, slowly prepare their outfits and sing. At the same time, the participants shoot atmospheric videos of the preparation for the concert on vhs-camera, take photos and wait for the start of the event.
It's almost five o'clock in the evening, and the first guests will soon arrive and take their seats in the hall. The live concert is an hour away. Some of the artists are worried, while others are calmly waiting for it to start. Almost set up the sound, vocalists and instrumentalists are still rehearsing pieces of their songs so as not to forget anything and to perform well. Final touches in makeup, outfit check, support each other and anticipation of a magical evening with wonderful music.
Kinda Session sent personal invitations to guests, so the audience included family and friends. The capacity of Triglinki hall (seating) was 70 people - about 50 chairs and 20 cushions. The entire team of the organization (performers, SMM, photographers, videographers) was 30 people, so the number of guests was limited to 40 people. Each artist could invite 2 people.
The time is 18:00, and the first guests enter the hall, taking the first rows, closer to the stage. Everyone is dressed up and beautiful, and the performers are starting to get a little nervous, but still, it is a pleasant excitement.
I stand against the wall closer to the stage and watch the hall fill up. It's a feeling that words cannot describe. I realize that the most beautiful event I have been lucky enough to participate in is about to begin, and there are familiar and dear faces in the audience, in front of whom it is a pleasure to sing.
Meanwhile, at the bar before the concert, the guests are offered drinks, and many of them gladly order them for themselves and sit down in their seats. I'm starting to get a little frosty with excitement, but the comfortable surroundings and friends around me help me tune in.
All the audience sat down, and Kinda Session leaders Maiya Konkova and Liza Sytikova came on stage.
I hope that today you will feel like the main character of your own movie, and we will provide you with a soundtrack for it. - said Maya, addressing the audience.
The concert consisted of 16 performances. Someone sang in a duet, and someone sang solo. I would like to note the excellent choice of songs, both Russian and foreign. The list of repertoire of this evening included songs by ABBA, Lana Del Rey, Alla Pugacheva, Arctic Monkeys, Rihanna and much more! The event was divided into two acts - 8 acts in the first and the second. The first act closed with a wonderful French song Je te laisserai des mots by Patrick Wilson, and it was the only instrumental number without vocalists, where there was violin and piano.
The whole atmosphere cannot be conveyed in words, but thanks to the photographers it was captured.
I came out with the song Say yes to heaven by Lana Del Rey. I didn't think about the choice of the song for a long time, because this is the music with which I feel like the "main character" on stage. With me was the wonderful Yulia Chernysheva, who played the piano, and Anya Perekhozheva, who stood with the violin. At rehearsals we played almost immediately, so already at the concert I was calm for the instrumental. Our trio was truly magical (as were all the performances at the concert!).
Before each performance, the vocalists and instrumentalists greeted the audience and said a few words about their choice of song or their mood. I didn't prepare a speech in advance, and when I went on stage, I first introduced myself, said that I was going to sing, and then introduced Yulia and Anya. Of course, my voice was shaking, but then all the excitement went away and I finished my song with pleasure.
The audience's reaction is the most valuable thing for us. There were smiles, tears and applause. The audience warmly welcomed each speaker, and words of support were heard from the audience.
Before each performance, the vocalists and instrumentalists greeted the audience and said a few words about their choice of song or their mood. I didn't prepare a speech in advance, and when I went on stage, I first introduced myself, said that I was going to sing, and then introduced Yulia and Anya. Of course, my voice was shaking, but then all the excitement went away and I finished my song with pleasure.
The audience's reaction is the most valuable thing for us. There were smiles, tears and applause. The audience warmly welcomed each speaker, and words of support were heard from the audience.
The last song was played and the whole crew came on stage to say thank you. Guys from the audience helped to blow up two clappers while we all shouted "Cut!". Everyone was very tired, but realized that two months of hard rehearsals and the concert itself were definitely not in vain.
Thank you very much! – we shouted from the stage.
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