By Lang Delapa

NONEWFRIENDS., a kid named rufus, and Sedona captivate students in an outdoor concert

NONEWFRIENDS. never fails to get a crowd singing.

On October 2nd, the local band, accompanied by fellow student artists a kid named rufus and Sedona, performed an outdoor concert to a large, energetic audience.

Even before doors had officially opened, the Sumner backyard had already attracted a modest crowd of students eager for live music after two semesters of virtual shows. Plants adorned with string lights served as a backdrop to the stage, creating a cozy, welcoming atmosphere despite the open-air setting. With clear skies and warm air, it was the perfect fall evening for an outdoor concert. 

Rising artist Sedona, bearing only an acoustic guitar, opened the show with a cover of Drake’s “Controlla.” Her silky voice immediately drew listeners in—with her confident stage presence and natural talent for enchanting a crowd, no one could have guessed that this was the singer’s debut live performance. After performing an original song “Drug Money,” Sedona was joined by a full band, accompaniment to tracks from her upcoming album to be released in early November. Sedona’s smooth R&B sound never failed to get the crowd swaying along with the beat. Her final song, “Blue Swivel Chair,” was the perfect end to her already fantastic performance. Showcasing her talent for rapping as well as singing, “Blue Swivel Chair” was full of witty lines that prompted cheering from the audience.

A kid named rufus—sophomore Rufus Sivaroshan—was met with applause as he took the stage, accompanied by student musicians Grady Collingborn, Jared Rowland, Maria Nido, and Jesse Herman. The singer brought a distinctive bubbly energy to the crowd, who sang along to tracks from his new EP, graduation. Rufus’s strong vocals were not the performance’s only highlight—instrumental solos were frequent and gathered as much attention from the crowd as lyrics had. Bass player Jesse captivated the audience in his solo, dedicated to his girlfriend watching the show, during their cover of Frank Sinatra’s “I Love You Baby.” The cover was a clear crowd pleaser, getting everyone singing. A kid named rufus closed his set with “Wasting Time,” the most-streamed song from graduation.

Headliner NONEWFRIENDS took the stage as the sun began to fall, the darkness crafting a more intimate atmosphere. A roar erupted from the crowd—their excitement and anticipation for the band was obvious.

Since its formation in 2018, NONEWFRIENDS. has become one of the most popular acts at SU, with over 200,000 Spotify streams on their single Already Gone and almost 10k monthly listeners.

NONEWFRIENDS’s gift for engaging the audience was striking. Their diverse setlist consisted of original music, covers of popular songs, and unreleased tracks—all of which exhibited their signature enchanting, jazzy style. This bouncy, yet relaxed, sound warmed up the crowd, turning strangers into friends and putting smiles on faces. Lead singer Liz Stuart’s interactive performance style inspired audience participation, from a call-and-response that got the crowd singing, to a hand-wave prompting listeners to hold up a flashlight to the beat, to a holler for everyone to clap along with her. By the end of each song, the whole crowd was singing along to lyrics some had just heard for the first time. Jackson Siporin was a standout on the saxophone, his lively solos always greeted with a roar of applause from the audience. 

As NONEWFRIENDS made its way through the setlist, audience energy continued to rise, culminating in pure elation during the band’s cover of Rex Orange County’s “Best Friend.” With the intimacy of a small house house and the energy of a stadium performance, the crowd belted lyrics to the cheery indie hit, their voices surely heard throughout the neighborhood.

Featuring both new performers and familiar faces, Saturday’s patio show was truly a wonderful performance, a testament to the true talent of Syracuse students and the unique musical experience only found at a house show.