To begin the thread of Friday Night Live performances hosted by Student Activities, on Friday September 19th, students gathered in the first-year courtyard for a concert performed by local singer Bee Blackwell. The end of summer evening sun projecting off of the brick sidewalks, combined with nachos and cookies provided by Aramark, perfectly set a  scene for an outdoor concert. Bee Blackwell and her band stunned the stage with an hour long set of alternative rock songs, transporting the audience to twenty years in the past with their distinct vibes of music from the 90s and 2000s. 

As one of Austin’s up and coming artists, Bee Blackwell recently released her debut album “NINE LIVES”. The EP emits a deep feeling of nostalgia combined with lyrics that can only be attributed to the process of growing up and discovering who you are, especially songs like “MORE” and “COWBOY”. Alongside her band, she performed these songs as well as others in her discography. Perhaps the fan favorite was her Paramore cover, as their vibes so deeply intertwine with each other. 

Bee interacted with the audience in a casual manner that made it feel like you secretly knew her, giving the fun and intimate feel of an indie concert. Towards the end of her set, her band left the stage as she performed a song solo. This is where her talent shined as an artist, and you could hear the passion in her lyrics. Overall, this was a great kickoff of Southwestern’s new Friday Night Live series.