The Music Scene

On Wednesday April 1, UWM’s CAB Coffeehouse crew, a club promoting local performers, presented a spring concert, the April Fools Music Bash, in the Unions Fireside Lounge.

Essences of colorful lights circling the small stage in back of the room welcomed open mic performers onto the stage. The UWM CAB, Campus Activity Board, Coffeehouse is a group of students who promote local Milwaukee artists by hosting monthly shows. As the show starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. UWM student Reno Christoph takes the stage with the song “Wide Awake.” Friends, family members and other performers fill the crowd.

While some performers use open mic as a way to show off their talent, others see it as a way to rid their nerves for future performances. “It (open mic) doesn’t help every single person with talent, it’s the first step for everyone to get into the music business,” says Jibril Ela, an audience member whose dream would be to sign for Rockefeller. “It gets the stage fright out of some people and gives them the chance to control the crowd.”

CAB Coffeehouse events also include up-and-coming artists, such as Washington native Levi Stephens, who is on his national college tour. Also on stage are local Milwaukee artists such as MC New Kid and Mansa Marri. The have the audience up and moving with them, proving that Milwaukeeans enjoy rap music.

However, Stephens doesn’t solely fall into one musical category. Stephens performed a variety of his songs that range from R&B to pop culture, while putting his own touch on Avicii’s “Wake Me Up” and Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” Stephens believes that regardless of the type of genre one performs, events such as the April Fools Music Bash bring positivity among young artists.

“These events empower students,” Stephens says. “The situations get students involved and make them feel connected; instead of just being there.”