Multicolored lights flash on the face of Luke Sabath as he stands to address the crowd. The audience is packed tightly into the venue, a room marked with drawings and quotes on the walls. People stand on tables to hear what he has to say.
“We are here tonight to be a community to stand against a bunch of bulls- that’s going on…” Sabath said. “To raise money for the LBC and the Asian American Association and a bunch of Mizzou college organizations that have been defunded … and I think that’s messed up and I know a lot of you do too.”
At Sabath’s words, the crowd yells in agreement.
On April 24 at 7 p.m., people began gathering at PDM, a local music venue popular for underground shows, in anticipation of the Legion of Black Collegians benefit show, organized by local group Crowdkiller. Attendees play Hacky Sack, skateboard and talk outside before eventually packing inside the warehouse for the show. The concert promised to donate 100% of the $10 door charge to LBC.
As the show began to come together, three bands agreed to play sets: Coscoroba, This Morning, This Evening and Find Fiona. Throughout the night, band members emphasized the importance of not only raising money but building community and awareness about the ongoing institutional conflict occurring on the University of Missouri’s campus.
On April 3, LBC, the Asian American Association, the Association of Latin American Students, Queer Liberation Front and Filling in the Space were informed by Student Affairs of their defunding and reclassification as Recognized Student Organizations. The groups must now compete for funding with Mizzou’s other 650+ student organizations, bringing their total funding going into the 2026-2027 school year to $0.
In response, the benefit show was created.
K’ouwa Jiron is a founding member of Crowdkiller, which produces a scene-focused mini magazine emphasizing primarily in Columbia’s underground music scene. On Friday, all sales of Crowdkiller’s zine were donated to LBC. Jiron, along with fellow founding member Gus Richardson, got the show started.
“We wanted to do something positive, we wanted to raise money, and we thought the best way to do that was through a show,” Jiron said.
Once the venue was secured, Jiron reached out to bands within the local punk circle. The Crowdkiller team was met with enthusiasm from all the bands volunteering to play for the benefit, each band more than willing to help the cause.
Arsal Chowdhury and his band Coscoroba opened the show, playing a mix of original music and covers.
“Ever since Mun Choi did that bull- I was just like, there needs to be a fundraiser, I feel like a show fundraiser would be perfect,” Chowdhury said. “Crowdkiller hopped on board on that … I was glad this sh- getting done. I’m very enthusiastic about it and this is why I’m playing right now.”
This sentiment was a through line for all three bands. As each set passed, more and more people showed up, all moving to the music, moshing or dancing. Between each set, the audience moved outside to escape the heat of the room.
At the final performance from Find Fiona, the crowd was the most energized, singing along to the band’s songs and moving together. Before the last song, lead singer Sabath thanked the crowd and the bands, reminding everyone what the show was for.
“Community is the most important thing we have,” Sabath said.
After the last song, the audience filtered out the door, relieved at the reprise of cool evening air. The dark night contrasted against the porthole of pulsing lights coming from inside the PDM, yet to be shut off. People lingered, chatting to one another in groups or resting against the walls, encompassing the community.
The benefit show raised $1,499 for LBC.
