Rhapsody 2024: Legacy - a triumphant success
Rhapsody 2024: Legacy poster. Credit: Celine Effendi & Eric Wei
2024 marks ten years of Rhapsody, UCL’s annual concert put together by our Live Music and Stage Crew societies. Over 100 students were involved this year, performing from the 25th to 27th January in the Bloomsbury Theatre. Songs ranged from the likes of Kate Bush and Katy Perry to Kendrick Lamar - there really was something for everyone, which is an impressive testament to the range of musical talent at UCL.
The night was packed with creative takes on familiar tracks, taking the audience on a journey through four chapters: Beginnings, Discovery, Tribulations and Legacy.
The audience was launched straight into the energy of the evening with Nina Simone’s Feeling Good. Vocals from Alice Nnene soared over polished instrumentals, setting the tone for a night of stunning performances. Aerosmith classic Dream On was also an early highlight - the orchestral arrangement worked brilliantly with Evan Moffitt’s gritty vocals, creating a dynamic performance that certainly impressed the crowd. Moving into the second chapter, Indhi Gupta delivered an effortlessly smooth rendition of Vienna by Billy Joel against a backdrop of beautiful strings. Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream provided perfect pop nostalgia, complete with peppy choreography.
Dream On singer Evan Moffitt. Credit: Charlotte Fung
After a brief intermission, we dived into the third chapter, Tribulations. A five-song medley from Kendrick Lamar’s album To Pimp a Butterfly garnered huge cheers from the audience - Kingsley Angel de Costa and Folasade Ashley Adeyemo owned the stage with confidence and flair. Shortly after, Ebba Widman perfectly captured the whimsical essence of Kate Bush with her performance of Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God).
To Pimp a Butterfly Medley performers Kingsley Angel de Costa and Folasade Ashley Adeyemo. Credit: Charlotte Fung
Encompassing a rock band, horns, strings, and a trio of impeccable vocalists, Aretha Franklin’s classic Respect was a punchy opening to the final chapter of the night, drawing inspiration from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version. The Lady Gaga Medley was another memorable performance, with arranger Christopher Lee squeezing several hits - Born This Way, Telephone and Poker Face to name a few - into one brilliant medley.
Thoughtful stage design allowed all musicians to be seen from the audience, and the dynamic lighting was a testament to the technical mastery of UCL’s Stage Crew Society. Overall, this year’s Rhapsody was an uplifting symphony of creative ideas and talented execution. Directors Will Kim and Bertie Atkinson, and producer Maya Khurana, put together a thorough display of musical variety and virtuosity. The final number, Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, encapsulated Rhapsody’s unstoppable legacy as a show that remains polished and professional while bursting with joy and fun. Congratulations to everyone involved!
Don’t Stop Me Now singer Liz Bousser, and guitarist Chris Watson. Credit: Charlotte Fung