As the sun was beginning to set Wednesday evening, the party was just starting at The Union. A lively audience stood before an open stage, which showcased women performers for the night. Balloons and conversation filled the air. The members of the local band Blush could be seen dancing in the crowd, hyping up the gifted musicians on stage and preparing for their later performance.
Ladies’ open stage at The Union was a big hit, showcasing several talented individuals and bands. The event was hosted by Blush and Ohio University’s Women in Music Industry. WIMI had a table selling glitter tattoos for $1, along with stickers for $2, sweatshirts for $40 and baby tees for $25, with all proceeds supporting the organization. Blush had a table as well, featuring hand-made embroidered merch.
The night’s concluding performance by Blush was the first time the band played with new member Gretchen Sahr, a senior studying sociology and philosophy, taking the place of former member and OU graduate Emma McGowan. Blush member Sophia Butler, a senior studying early childhood education, shared she met Gretchen through their mothers, who work together.
“I went to visit my mom and saw her mom, Barbara ... she said, ‘Oh, my daughter is in a band,’ and I was like ‘no way!’ And then (Sahr) filled in for our old bassist, Emma,“ Butler said. "She's just incredible. She picks up on things so quickly, and she's so talented and musically gifted.”
Another member of Blush, Ella Franks, a senior studying music business and visual communications, said the members don’t tend to stick to one instrument while performing. Instead, they like to swap instruments and switch around.
“We all kind of rotate, except for Caden, Caden's mostly on drums ... but for the most part, all of us kind of rotate around,” Franks said.
Kicking off the open mic, all-freshman band Miss Crimson took the stage. The group got the crowd moving with covers of rock songs like “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead and “Ruby Soho” by Rancid.
Directly after them, solo artist CAMEØ, whose real name is Cam Glenn, a freshman, switched up the vibe with her acoustic guitar. Glenn’s major is undecided, but she is considering minoring in music. She performed original songs, such as “EGO” and “swan dive.” Glenn said she is currently looking to join a band.
“I was terrified to play after I heard the first band,” Glenn said. “If you're trying to get out there and you're trying to play, just do it. Be brave. It hurts, but I would have regretted not playing. Just try hard things.”
Following CAMEØ’s performance, vocalist Emaline covered songs such as “I’d Rather Go Blind” by Etta James and held the entire room’s attention with her riffing. For one song, she pulled out a harmonica holder in a true Bob Dylan fashion to cover his “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright.”
Sidney Tisdale took over after Emaline finished her set, covering songs in her soft and pleasing tone, including Clairo’s “Sexy to Someone” and “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, with the audience joining in on the chorus. Tisdale shared on stage how this was the first time she’s performed since high school choir.
The last opening band before Blush took the stage was Space Kid, performing originals like “Heart O’ Gold” and “Lovin’ You Blues.” Bassist Riley Morgan-Boucher told the crowd to dance, and the audience quickly created a mosh pit. The set ended with a bang, with all three members taking off their shirts to reveal bikini tops, causing a ripple of surprise and amusement throughout the venue.
Finally, Space Kid finished its show and Blush closed out the stage. The group’s setlist consisted of three covers: “Take Off Ur Pants” by Indigo De Souza, “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter and “Linger” by The Cranberries. The band also played a couple of original songs that have yet to be given names. The members had unmistakable chemistry with one another, and their coordinated blush-red outfits complemented their pink and red guitars perfectly.
