Picture this: it’s a Saturday night after you just left the dining hall. You’ve got no plans and no pressing school assignments. The night is young, but there’s nothing to fill it with. Until you hear the thump of drums and the strum of guitars under your feet. The sound hooks you, leading you towards the open doors of the Gopher Hole.
Inside, the place is packed. Someone is belting vaguely familiar lyrics, and you bop your head to the beat of a song you think you know. Then the crowd shouts, “Hey, Jude!”
Welcome to Beatles Night! On February 28th, I had the pleasure of attending a live performance by the Independent Music Club, or IMC, covering several Beatles songs in the Gopher Hole. After the success of the Bob Dylan show, IMC couldn’t wait to put on another cover show this semester.
“We had a lot of people sing up and show up [last time],” said Emma Chase ‘26, one of the co-presidents. “[I think they’re] a really good way to get people involved.” To kick off the night, Chase and the other three club presidents, Ethan Hattingh ‘26, Willow Meir ‘26, and Zev Israel ‘26, resurrected the spirit of Ringo Starr in a feat of brilliant acting, filling the performers with Starr Power. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the Beatles before that night–I only ever regularly listened to a cover of Eleanor Rigby–but the performers put on a great show.
The night had plenty of stacked acts, such as “The Manorettes” Celeste Bawara ‘26, Samia Abdur-Rahim ‘26, and Athena Perry ‘26 alongside Sam Rose ‘26, who performed not only as a lead musician in several acts, but also an accompanist for the group.
I loved each and every one, but one of my favorites acts was a rendition of Rocky Raccoon by Ben Anthony ‘28 and Hattingh. Not to mention the epic drum solo during one of the final songs, played by a friend of IMC and non-Goucher student, Brendan Crawford. Not only was there music, but also poetry paying homage to Ringo Starr and the other members presented by Bea Lieblein ‘26 and Meir.
But the performers weren’t the only ones holding Starr Power. The crowd sang every piano part and chorus alongside the musicians. We were all honorary members of the Beatles that night.
“It made me so happy any time anyone [followed]…an instrument part,” Chase said.
IMC also had custom-made merch from a friend of Chase’s. More merch, such as stickers, band logos, and shirt designs, may be featured at future events.
I left the show with my ears ringing and heart pumping. The night was ecstatic. It showed just how important places for student-led activities are. The Gopher Hole was the perfect venue for IMC’s performance.
“…The Gopher Hole… [is] kind of the ideal venue… because it’s everyone… right up next to the artist and just having fun,” Rose said.
The club hopes to perform there for future shows during the semester. A community is what you make it, and the Beatles Night made something special. Peace and love, man.
By Jaiden Johnson ’27
All Photos by Jaiden Johnson
