Campus welcomed Yuno to the stage

Hope College Concert Series had their first event of the year last Friday night. Through shared music, the Concert Series “aim(s) to inspire the West Michigan and Hope College community in areas of diversity, originality, and openness”. This concert took place in the Knickerbocker Theatre, featuring local band The Skinny Limbs as opening act, and Yuno as the main performer. 

Yuno is a 27-year-old performer from Jacksonville, Florida who recently moved to New York and brings diverse categories of music to the stage. He allegedly allows his experiences to come alive in music as he always writes in the familiarity of his own bedroom. His interests vary from reggae, ska, and R&B to rock and rap. He learned to play the  guitar and how to make beats when he was young and has been gathering new musical techniques ever since. Much of his live performances take use of electronically recreating sounds, voices, and melodies. “I knew in high school that I wanted to do music,” Yuno says. “Drawing had been my thing when I was really young, then I started to make videos in middle school with my friend – little skits. Then I began playing guitar… I’d bring my guitar to school every day.” Much of his music attempts to understand complex emotions, as shown in his EP Moodie, which describes the complex emotions one feels at the end of a relationship.

Yuno’s performance was extremely unique, and it is difficult to define his style of music and the vibe he brought to Knickerbocker Theatre. The lights, instruments, and sounds changed between each song, like a moving kaleidoscope of sound and color. “Yuno brought a sound to Hope College that I don’t think has been brought here before,” says Aiyana Cisneros (’20). “It was a fun and lively show that made you want to dance and sing along even if you didn’t know the words.” Yuno was the main event of the night, but he didn’t act like it. He was chill, relaxed and greatly appreciated the attention of the concert-goers, all of whom crowded near the front to listen, dance and enjoy the experience. 

This first HCCS performance was a great kick-off to the semester. The next event is on Friday, October 11, featuring Barrie with Choral Reef at Park Theatre. The rest of October’s line-up includes Mat Kearney on the 19th and J.S. Ondara on the 25th. Look forward to these next few concerts, as they are sure to bring energy and entertainment to Holland, MI.