Free Bass Unlimited was a music event that featured a diverse range of music from various performers. The event was a combined effort from The Modern Agora and the University of Missouri’s Music Production Club. The event took place Tuesday, Sept. 9, at Traditions Plaza, drawing in a crowd that included both fans and fellow musicians supporting each other.

Performer and president of the MU Music Production Club Sam Li explained how the event was created.

“I want to put out opportunities for my friends and club members too, so I convinced them to do the show with me,” Li said. “I made the poster, and they printed out 100 copies, and now they’re all all around campus.”

Other organizations, alongside members of the MU Music Production Club, were instrumental in making the event possible. Mizzou’s student-run radio station, KCOU, which has long supported the local music scene, lent equipment for the event.

KCOU member Sara Huaco attended the free show and emphasized the station’s community-oriented mindset.

“[KCOU] just loves getting involved and involving other artists and other people,” Huaco said.

Among the performers was the band Nightstand, which brought co-singer Noah Schmitz back to familiar ground. Schmitz is a former member of KCOU and once served as its communication director.

“My friend Levi was the recording studio director, so he would play his own music on the air a lot. But, there was also smaller artists that we would have in his studio for live sets,” Schmitz said.

For co-singer Robert Huhmann, connecting with the crowd goes beyond just performing. It is about building relationships.

“I’m very big on building community,” Huhmann said. ”Most of our fans are our friends.”

Still, Nightstand is aiming to expand its reach. Keyboardist Eric Warnecke shared the band’s desire to play for new crowds.

“Most of our concerts that we play have been either house shows or shows like Rose or Cafe Berlin, where the audience is, like, the same people almost every time ‘cause they know they like us,” Warnecke said.

Many people in the audience at Traditions Plaza were introduced to new musicians and bands. For sophomore Anya Hubbard, it was her first time hearing Nightstand.

“I think seeing live music is really fun and cheap, with just the local, smaller performers,” Hubbard said.

Due to the concert being free, more people were able to attend. For graduate student Basam Azhar, the ease of entry was what pulled them into the show.

“We were just passing by this place, and we just saw that students started getting here and something’s going to happen tonight,” Azhar said.

For audience member Will Thives, the local bands and new music were what pulled him in.

“I like to hear the original songs, I really like bands that write their own music and have their own style and do their own thing,” Thives said.“I used to have a band here in Columbia, and we used to play together all the time.”

Musician Surya Raghu witnessed Nightstand for the first time after learning of the band. Raghu applauded the concert from a performer’s point of view.

“I haven’t actually seen them live, surprisingly,” Raghu said. “[It] really influences how I appreciate [music] and respect the artists for their musicianship and their songwriting.”

The event also featured more unconventional performers, like flow arts performer Jon Patman, who wowed the crowd with tricks using a meteor hammer.

“I always wanted to be able to express myself creatively in a physical way,” Patman said. “I was never really into sports. I wasn’t raised on it, but I always liked physical things.”

Warnecke’s background in physical activity helped him grow more comfortable performing in front of a crowd.

“I feel like we’re on a team, and we all have to do our parts and make it sound good, but it’s also terrifying doing something with the pressure of everyone watching you,” Warnecke said.

Free Bass Unlimited brought lots of people, familiar and unfamiliar with the musicians, to Traditions Plaza to watch the event. Through unconventional tools and borrowed equipment, the free show bridged gaps between artists, fans and organizations alike.

Edited by Mikalah Owens | [email protected]
Copy edited by Maren Hettler and Avery Copeland | [email protected]
Edited by Chase Pray | [email protected]