By Elizabeth Merino Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor
Lights illuminated the darkened stage as the sound of guitar riffs and banging drums vibrated through the floor and up the spines of the audience.
Over 80 people attended Monday night’s Live From Studio A: Giants At Large Concert, setting a record for the largest attendance in the 16 years the show has been produced.
Students from Radio Television and Film class 165 spent the semester fine-tuning the live concert not only for their classmates, but a grade as well.
“We had to find a band, organize a full scale music video shoot, set up interviews with the band and prep the studio.” said Associate Producer Katy Sheward.
The class decided on a comic book theme, which became the driving force around the set, the band interview packages and music videos. The concert was also broadcast live on WRHU Radio.
“We assigned a full crew to the show, comprised of 165 students and some beautiful souls that volunteered their time to help out,” said Producer Victoria Vandergrift.
Giants at Large ran through the show with old and new songs much to the delight of the crowd, which was not all Hofstra students.
“I like it, I’ve been hearing about Giants at Large since 2010-2011 because I grew up in Garden City,” said Nikita Rihal, the non-Hofstra student and Garden City native.
Giants at Large is based out of Long Island. They are self-described as Pop-Punk/ Indie/Rock. The band consists of four members, Matt Lagattuta CJ Kostaras, Brian Thomann and Chris Regan. Regan was unable to attend this concert so Anthony Pasini took his place for the night.
The frontman, Lagattuta, spoke to the crowd throughout the show as if we were all old friends.
After much goading from the crowd to also let drummer, CJ Kostaras speak, Lagattuta refused with a smile and said, “Lets hope we can behave ourselves apparently it’s a $7,000 fine if you swear at Hofstra.”
Lagattuta performed two songs solo. At first he seemed a bit apprehensive. He went on to croon most of his second solo with ease; his emotion was tangible. The song, “Sleep Sound,” echoed repeated apologies making it appear as one of the more genuine and heartfelt songs of the night.
During the bands set breaks, two televisions displayed interviews and short packages of them just horsing around. During these breaks the crowd seemed energized by the band, enraptured by the screens in front of them.
“I really enjoyed it. I’m really into this kind of music, it’s great that we can do this kind of thing at Hofstra,” said junior John Kowalchuck.
Throughout the show numerous students could be seen behind the scenes moving around with cameras panning in and out of the stage and crowd. Others watched from the sidelines whispering fervently into headsets and punching keys as they watched computer screens. You could feel their happiness as you glanced at them. All their hard work and dedication had finally paid off.
“It was the most exciting, captivating, intense show I’ve ever directed in my life and probably the most fun I’ve had at Hofstra, and I’m graduating in May. I know I love directing, I love concerts and live music is my passion,” said Director Maribeth Powers.
Matt Subrizi, a fellow producer echoed Power’s sentiments on the night.
“It was an incredible feeling seeing all these friends and classmates come together and produce something that I’m going to be proud of for the rest of my life,” Subrizi said.
I felt like I was at a real concert venue, it just felt right, especially by the final song.The atmosphere really changed when a tall man in the front of the stage began clapping to the beat of the song over his head, and the crowd followed suit. People were jumping around and singling along with the band. A small mosh pit formed in the middle of the crowd at the peak of the song. One guy was crowd surfing, which got the band amped up even more.
“The show would not have been put on with out Giants at Large, who were a true pleasure to work with, and very talented guys,” said Production Manager Eric Ziwak.
When asked if the band would return, Lagattuta answered, “Absolutely.”