I know what you’re thinking. A flutist at a Pop/Rock show? Well, that’s because this was no ordinary pop/rock show, in that, most of the performers weren’t pop/rock at all.

Robert Reid Gillies performing with the Pop/Rock Live! Band

Not that I’m complaining, because the performers did share something in common – their undeniable talent as singer-songwriters studying at Berklee.  In fact, I don’t think I’ve seen a concert at Berklee that represented so many styles from funk, to Japanese folk, to country, and sometimes, even, pop and rock.

Laura Tomoyo Yokozawa singing with Koto player Sumie Kaneko

Laura Tomoyo Yokozawa definitely won for most exotic performance of the night, performing the Japanese song “Inishie no Kioku” with koto player Sumie Kaneko. You can hear some of their performance in the following highlight video.

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Also seen in the video is my favorite performer of the night, Sterling Sherman [seen in the title picture]. Sterling was impressive not only for her beautiful mix of soul and folk, but also for endearing herself to the whole audience when her microphone cut out during her song. Sterling kept her composure with such class and professionalism, and I can’t wait until she gets to return to the BPC, sans the audio glitches, of course.

Berklee alum, Charlie Worsham

The Pop/Rock show also included guest country artist and Berklee alum Charlie Worsham, who’s currently on tour with Taylor Swift at the time of the post. Although some artists might have found the lack-luster attendance of Pop/Rock beneath them, Charlie gave an energizing and genuine performance and created an almost immediate chemistry with the audience, eventually getting them to sing along.

Despite the fact that my favorite performances were decidedly not Pop or Rock, the Pop/Rock show was an unexpected, eclectic treat that I can only hope finds a new title that better promotes its variety next year.

– Elisa

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