On Friday, Jan. 24, NOIR, a well-known on-campus band, held their third Tiny College Concert in the Diversity & Intercultural Center (D&IC) at 9:30 p.m. The crowd was nestled into couches and chairs surrounding NOIR, chattering with senior Seckou Soumare, the group’s vocalist, while the band set up. While NOIR originally formed as a band put together to perform cover songs at LUaroo 2023, Soumare explained that it has turned into a vessel for their original work to come to life. This concert was testimony to that. The setlist consisted of ten songs, six of which were originals written by the band.
The first song, “Mary Jane” by RAYE, opened with senior Josué Ríos López on the guitar. Then Soumare entered with his low serenade, followed by junior Quintin Fernandez on the drums, with a building hi-hat beat. Senior Ben Lewis, NOIR’s bass guitarist, entered subtly in sync with López’s line. Junior Danny Glasco came in with a jazzy trumpet solo, followed by López with a solo reminiscent of rock tones. Then junior Luis Plaza came in with a solo on the keys.
One thing Soumare described enjoying about performing live sets like this are all the instrumental solos, and this was one of my favorite things about the set as well. The band is comprised of six talented individual musicians that make a sound that is recognizable and consistent. Soumare said that, although NOIR’s main inspiration is R&B and soul, their own individual influences have seeped into the music as well, giving their sound hints of jazz, alternative and rock, to name a few. In those solos, you get to see a bit more of where each individual’s inspiration lies and witness what the building blocks were that created this unique, collective sound.
Following the opening song, NOIR played four originals: “Believe Me When I Say,” “Hear Me Out,” “Take” and “Battle Scars.” The one that really stood out to me was “Hear Me Out.” The song was moody and slow, with commanding rhythm from Soumare and Fernandez, croons coming from Glasco and reverberating runs from López.
The second half of the set was comprised of more covers by bands Anderson .Paak and Black Pumas, and two more original songs. One of NOIR’s most recognizable songs, “Physical,” was played second-to-last. Soumare asked the crowd to join in on singing the chorus, and we didn’t need much of a reminder of the words. What feels unique and special about Lawrence’s music scene is the fact that we do know and recognize these bands and their music, and we get to watch them grow.
I’d say this was my favorite NOIR show I’ve seen. The setting of a Tiny College Concert provides a lot of intimacy between everyone there and creates a relaxed and connected energy. The band members communicate smoothly and invisibly to one another, and the audience in return appreciates the connection and engages to further it. In a small, enclosed setting like the D&IC, the music resonates and fills the space. You feel very involved as a part of the audience at these shows: your clap or cheer after each solo and song is a part of the music too.