The various vocal sounds of Laurier Idol’s eight final contestants filled the Concourse last Wednesday, turning many a head as students made their way to and from late classes. Presented by A-Team and Radio Laurier, the event called upon students to audition throughout February in order to compete against a select few for a shot at Campus Idol which will take place at the University of Waterloo Friday March 8. When inquired about the unique collaboration between Radio Laurier and A-Team, MC Scott Glaysher responded, “Originally, A-Team reached out to Radio Laurier to cover the event and live broadcast the whole thing. As plans moved forward, the two parties really brought their ideas together and made it a joint project.”
Each contestant was permitted to perform two songs of their choosing to be judged by a panel of made up of: the current Student Union president Michael Onobolu, WLUSU president-elect Annie Constantinescu, Student Publications president Emily Frost, Radio Laurier Station Manager Lainey Dalrymple and A-Team Coordinator Katie Fernandes. The judges really got into their roles, especially Onobolu who delivered an impersonation of Simon Cowell and MC Glaysher who channeled his inner Ryan Seacrest. Each judge made a statement about what they wanted to see, ranging from Frost’s request for “fierceness” and Dalrymple’s desire for original talent, before the first performer was ushered onto stage.
Contestant Danielle Robert gave a rendition of “Blue Jeans” by Lana Del Ray and her own composition titled “Beautiful Genius” on the keyboard which the judges praised for its unique beat boxing segment. Ryan Fernandes followed with a soulful but pitchy performance of “In the Arms of the Angels” by Sarah McLaughlin and “So Sick” by Ne-Yo. It was noted that he had an impressive falsetto.
Isabel Lopes gave an impeccable performance of “Shark in the Water” by VV Brown and “If I Ain’t Got You Babe” by Alicia Keys but expressed some stage nerves common in a few of the contestants. The least nervous appeared to be Natalie Roth, who confidently belted Katy Perry’s “Thinking of You” and Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” to the accompaniment of Brandon Kuepfer on guitar. Lindsay Tribble followed with the jazzy sounds of Etta James and Norah Jones singing “At Last” and “Don’t Know Why.” Then Jeremy Enns, in close second to Roth on the confidence scale, entertained the crowd with a dynamic and, at times satirical, cover of Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” on keyboard and Kelly Clarkson’s “Since You’ve Been Gone” on the drums.
The last two performers were singer-songwriters on guitar. Andrew Dolson sweetly sang a cover of One Direction’s “Little Things” and his own motivational “Sing It Out” followed by Tori Sutherland with “Hometown Glory” by Adele and one of her own as well, both full of feeling.
In the end, Dolson achieved third place, Lopes landed second and Tribble finished first to the applause of a seated audience and many gathered around. “The event was a major success,” said Glaysher, shedding his Seacrest. “All the contestants did a great job, the judges were more than impressed and even the students passing by enjoyed the musical celebration.”