Lovely acoustic melodies and electrifying alternative rock sounds soared through the Quick Center on Saturday night. The Routes played before a full house, which is 740 people in the Quick Center theater. The Alternate Routes consist of two Fairfield alumni who brought their talent back to their alma mater.
Although most were unaware that an opening act would perform, Ari Hest, a singer/songwriter represented by the same management as The Alternate Routes, the audience was blown away with his performance. Songs such as “Sleep Tonight” with varying melodies captured the audience’s attention. Hest’s musical range, which he particularly demonstrated in a cover of Rufus Wainwright’s popular song “Hallelujah,” was impressive.
When The Alternate Routes took the stage, the Quick Center really started to rock.
The band opened with its first single “Time is a Runaway,” a fast moving piece that quickly energized the audience. It also played “Ordinary,” the band’s current single, which has a slower tempo. Throughout the show, Tim Warren, lead vocalist of the band, explained how happy the band was to return to Fairfield.
“I’m glad all of you are here to experience this with us,” he said.
Warren also explained that playing at home gave them the liberty to play songs they don’t normally get to play. Eric Donnelly, singer and guitar player for the band said, “When we’re out on tour, we’re sometimes forced to gear our sounds towards those people. It’s always fun to come back home and play for your hometown crowd.”
After the show, Hest and The Alternate Routes hung out to sign T-shirts and CDs and talked to Fairfield students and other fans.
Guitarist and keyboard player Mike Sembos said, “It was really great to talk to the students after the show. I really was happy to see so many kids and adults come to see us.”
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