The mystery frosh concert has always been a beloved colorful conclusion to Queen’s frosh week. As a fourth year, I finally wound coming full circle and returning to the event that kicked off my Queen’s experience.

 As per tradition, the headliners are kept a secret until the very last minute to build mystique and excite new students. This year, as always, rumors circled of who the mystery artists might be, but no one knew for sure. According to several frosh, many thought artists Post Malone or even Nickleback would be taking the stage. But like every year, the Orientation leaders somehow managed to keep the secret until the day of the concert.

Kingstonians Hailiah Knight and Liv Moore got the show started Saturday night on the second side stage with hauntingly beautiful duets that showed off their impressive vocal ranges. The crowd loved their covers of 90’s pop and their RnB songs played as power ballads.

 While Liv Moore was wrapping up her goodbye, Toronto singer-songwriter Blaise Moore came out on the main stage. Teetering around in stiletto boots, Blaise had no problem getting the crowd up and moving to her soft and sonorous lyrics. Every track was more affecting than the last, with sultry instrumental undertones and a creeping bass line.

 When Vancouver-based Said the Whale took the main stage, the audience cheered in anticipation. Their shiny synth melodies and bursts of electronic bass laid the perfect foundation for their nostalgic and bittersweet lyrics.  When they finished their set, the crowd begged for an encore.

 While we didn’t receive another Said the Whale song, Georgia Straits—a Clark Hall band favourite—launched into a loud, energetic set to maintain the crowd’s excitement. Between songs, the band members shared their nostalgia of meeting in first year and never expecting to get to play the frosh show. As always, they were loud, sincere and had enough talent and heart to go around.

Also hailing from Vancouver, the seasoned indie-pop group Mother Mother was an undeniable hit with the first year audience. With their toe-tapping rhythms and bold yet playful three-piece harmonies, every person in the venue had their hands up. Lyrical and charming, Mother Mother gave the class of 2021 one hell of a start to their university careers.

 The frosh concert was a hit, as it always is. The Orientation leaders and other organizers work tirelessly to put on an incredible concert and I can only imagine how much effort went into finding such top quality acts and getting them to campus. Throughout the show, I couldn’t help but feel overwhelming hope and pride for the class of 2021. They seemed green, full of life and sincerely enjoying themselves.

 Events like these are what make Queen’s “Queen’s”. It would be easy for Queen’s to throw together a shoddy, low budget, dry frosh week, but they went above and beyond to make the newest batch of Gaels feel welcomed and part of something big.