Even though the passionate ambiance of Valentine's Day had cooled down, it didn't keep the Buffalo Chips and contributing a capella groups from heating things up in Slee Hall last Saturday night with their effervescent love-themed concert.
Those who braved the horizontally-descending snow on Saturday evening to see the Chips were left with their jaws hanging low and their palms red from applause. They not only presented an incredible show, but spectacular performances from their three guest ensembles as well.
The Chips were joined by UB's own Royal Pitches, a co-ed high school a capella ensemble called Jukevox from Greece Olympia in Rochester, and a dazzling girls group from SUNY Potsdam called the A Sharp Arrangement.
After an early kill with their lively "Saturday Night's Alright" accompanied by hilarious choreography, The Chips showed their talent in not only vocals, but in showmanship as well. The group maintains a supernatural comfort with the stage and audience that most people only attain while singing in the shower.
Audience members couldn't get enough of the Chips after their brief opening set, giving in just three songs what UB speech and hearing science major Anna Dayneko referred to as "a full body experience."
The Chips stood aside for the Royal Pitches after their opening, who broke into an an outstanding arrangement of Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With your Best Shot." The Royal Pitches brought it back down with a beautifully sung version of Coldplay's "Yellow." Their closing song was a jazzy and very classy cover of "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent."
Next was some young yet promising talent in the form of Greece Olympia's Jukevox. These high schoolers are already nationally recognized, and proved they could hold their own amongst the big leagues of college students. They gave an impressive performance with songs like Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway," in which their soloist picked the microphone right off the stand and danced around the stage like a true diva.
Following a formidable rendition of Five for Fighting's "Superman," Jukevox performed a noteworthy "Don't Speak" from Gwen Stefani's pre-"Holla Back Girl" pop band No Doubt, even though they are all probably too young to remember the song on the radio.
After a short intermission the audience was surprised yet again by the exemplary and creative girls group called the A Sharp Arrangement. The A Sharps were nothing short of flawless and their arrangements were exceptional.
The group seemed to go above and beyond, taking advantage of everything possible to add a bit of clever choreography, or cute subtle phrases in places that would normally be background singing, giving the set some character.
Every song from the A Sharps was extraordinary, as were each of the girls who sang lead.
Having already received many amazing performances, the audience got what they came for: the Chips took back the stage, and were greeted with a thunderous applause for their last set.
Despite being nearly upstaged by their guest performers, the Chips closed with utter perfection, showing what true a capella and raw talent should be. Their last set was besieged with laughs, cheers, applause, sing along, and even a few swoons from the girls during their rendition of The Fray's "Over My Head."
Everyone seemed to be more than satisfied with the evening while gathering in the lobby after the show to buy CDs.
At show's end, UB communications major Andrew Werner said it best: "The Chips continue to kick ass year after year!"
