We have all heard the saying “Let the force be with you” and on Wednesday, May 7, the force was in the building when the MATC Music Occupations program presented the Rock Hunger 6 concert as a benefit for the Hunger Task Force. The concert was held near the downtown campus at Best Place at the historic Pabst brewery, 901 W. Juneau Ave. and was organized by Ben Hans, MATC music instructor.
Attendees were encouraged to donate nonperishable food items while entering to be able to see students perform and showcase their talents. Live bands played a mix of rock, heavy metal, hip hop, and R&B music. The bands and MCs who rocked for the hungry included Stereo Ghost, Tumera Divine, A Smoove Impact, Rob Roach Band, MC Fly, Filtharmonic, MATC Honors Trio, and the MATC Music Alumni.
Students performing had the opportunity to help the mission to end hunger, but also helped themselves and peers by experiencing the interaction that comes with playing their music.
“They get to experience a live audience in a bar situation with patrons outside of school,” said Hans.
The evening began at 7 p.m. with the MATC Honors Trio. They were followed by Stereo Ghost, a band whose name comes from a record player that used to come on by itself. As Stereo Ghost performed and the crowd grew in size and intensity, the room was filled with a mesmerizing haze that a person would have thought was produced by an actual ghost due to the mystic connection the band forged with the concert goers.
Some Rock Hunger 6 performers came from beyond Wisconsin’s borders. Tumera Divine’s members include MATC students as well as residents of Iowa, the state the band was formed in.
“We felt coming here from Iowa,” explained Tumera Divine member Zach, “could help the hunger and we could rock the stage, is a two plus two situation.
The crowd continued to grow as the night grew later, leaving Best Place with little room for people to move freely but the crowd was jumping with excitement. Heads were bobbing, dance moves were perfected by moving feet, and drinks were wasted.
The force to end hunger was in the building and it brought a happy, live, excited time for those who pitched in to help.