Thysto-mania!
A Student Band’s Laurentian Weekend
How blessed are we to have two Thystopia performances in one weekend? In case you missed it, Thystopia kicked off Laurentian Weekend Friday night with a magnifying performance in the Sullivan Student Center’s Winston Room. Despite some sound engineering issues, the band pulled through and delighted students, parents and alumni alike. They debuted some new songs that they’ve been practicing, such as their covers of “Pool House” by The Backseat Lovers and “Gives You Hell” by The All-American Rejects, both of which were certainly crowd favorites. Thystopia’s drummer, Jack Fortier ’28, said that “seeing the reactions of my parents was a very special feeling. It was such an awesome atmosphere with so many smiles. I think the live music scene on campus is something for everyone to experience and enjoy.”
The lead singer of the band, Adriana Cecchetelli ’26, shared similar feelings, saying that “it was so incredible to see not only all different communities come together, but generations of St. Lawrence University graduates and current students all in one space over the common love of live music.”
The very next day at 4 p.m., Thystopia once again delivered an electrifying performance at the Java Barn as a part of its annual Melon Fest. The band rocked out some of their signature songs including “Jackie and Wilson” by Hozier and “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette, engaging with the crowd the whole time. One of my favorite qualities about Thystopia is that they always look like they are having a great time. Keyboardist Cherise Shamp ’28 stated that “getting to perform in front of my family (among many others) offered a new and especially exciting feeling. I felt as though we were able to describe to parents how much this place, SLU, means to us, regardless of academics. Of course, we will all graduate with degrees and valuable knowledge, but it’s moments like jamming out at Melon Fest which I will undoubtedly cherish for the rest of my life.”
If you were not enjoying the variety of melons that the Java Barn provided, you were definitely singing along to the melodic tunes being played. These two Laurentian Weekend shows from Thystopia featured a very special guest. Mother of guitarist Will Chalfant ’27, Katryna Nields, is known as co-lead singer of 1990s alternative band, The Nields. She joined Thytopia for a performance of “Gotta Get Over Greta.” The song was originally written and recorded by The Nields, and it has since become a regular for Thystopia shows. Speaking about the opportunity to play the song live with his mother, Chalfant said, “It was surreal. A love for the stage is something my mom and I have always shared. I’ve been so lucky to get to watch and admire her expressive performance style throughout my life. All I’ve ever wanted to do is share a stage with her.” He also shared that it was a full circle moment. “When I was three, my babysitter would have to drag me off the stage at her shows,” he said, “So to be able to drag her onstage with me at age 20 was something I will never forget.”
Nields also shared what her experience joining Thystopia for her song was like, stating, “When Thystopia asked me to join them on stage for our song, “Gotta Get Over Greta,” I was delighted and a little amused. But when I actually got to experience joining that band on the Java House stage, playing that song that I had played on that campus 30 years earlier, I was transported. I just felt sheer joy and gratitude that the next generation is rocking so beautifully! When my son thought of attending SLU, I was delighted because I remembered the students back in the ’90s who were so welcoming, enthusiastic, and capable. The culture remains. What a community to get to be a part of!”
These moments were certainly a highlight from Thystopia’s Laurentian Weekend shows. Speaking of highlights, I never would have thought that a smooth and beautifully sounding transition between “Linger” by The Cranberries and “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus was possible, but I am once again impressed by Thystopia.
To get a parent’s perspective on the performances, I asked my mother, Jennifer Hanna, her thoughts on the culture of Melon Fest as a whole. She expressed that, “each year one of the events we always look forward to is the student band performances at Java for Melon Fest. This year we had the opportunity to see Thystopia. It was nostalgic listening to them perform songs like “You Oughta know” and “Linger,” bringing me back to my teenage years! Watching other parents along with their college children singing every word and dancing along was so much fun!”
My mother could not have said it any better. Laurentian Weekend is the perfect opportunity for parents and students to connect and enjoy live music together.