SW 2019: What Cheer? Brigade

2019 was the first time in a long time I haven't live tweeted the Spring Weekend Release Party. I passed the mantle on to a younger blogger, and he did a fabulous job.This year, I was free to just enjoy student performances, drink heavily, and dance. I screamed and cried when Mitski was announced. I lost my shit over Aminé. And I breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw What Cheer? Brigade. For those of you who don't know, What Cheer? is a large brass band that performs every year at Spring Weekend. For me, it is one of the few constants in an otherwise hectic life.In their own words, the group “requires no amplification, proving that great parties need no electricity.” You can check out their Bandcamp page here. (I know you are dying to do this).https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxCz4gbemUgWhat Cheer? is the only group at SW who doesn’t perform on a physical stage. Instead, they gather around Sayles in a gorgeous, amorphous blob and invite us to surround them. The New York Times once described the group as “Thrillingly competent.” The performers also wear incredible outfits and have hilarious nicknames like “Chop Chop the Chimp,” who is now known as “Dead Chop Chop” (RIP).It doesn't matter if you are a first year or a senior about to graduate. What Cheer? is where it's at.Image via