WYEP’s Pittsburgh Music Halloween Costume Party returned to the Thunderbird Music Hall and Café in Lawrenceville on Saturday, Oct. 19 for the fourth installment of Hellbender Ball: The Night of The Living Hellbender.
The sold-out show began with Boy Wonders performing a spirited set of songs by R.E.M. Boy Wonders tore through classic songs from the band’s long stretching catalog including their earlier songs like “Radio Free Europe” to their 90s hits like “Man in the Moon” and “Losing My Religion.”
Boy Wonders singer Derek January mentioned from the stage that on WYEP’s recent listener-voted countdown, R.E.M. had the most songs in the countdown with 16 tracks on the list. The set ended with an abbreviated performance of the lyrically manic “It’s the End of The World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine),” and the crowd joyfully sang along.
The night then exploded with spiritual, gypsy energy when Zinnia’s Garden loaded in their tray of crystals and gold laden outfits to embody a heightened set of songs by the iconic Fleetwood Mac. The room was at full capacity as the crowd sang along and danced to classics like, “Dreams,” The Chain,” and an energetic version of “Tusk.” Zinnia’s Garden closed the set with the band center stage singing harmonies on an acoustic version of “Landslide” that brought down the house.
One may think it’d be nearly impossible to follow the set of Fleetwood Mac classics, but Orange Music did not disappoint. Band leader Isaiah Small joined by a band of Pittsburgh all-star musicians including Isaiah Ross (Jack Swing, The Ghost Club) and Cam Chambers, and wasted no time with Orange Music’s set of OutKast songs. Small and his amazing band wasted no time and kicked their set off playing the iconic“Hey Ya.”
When a set begins with a band’s biggest hit, a high benchmark is set. Orange Music somehow managed to continually increase the energy with the band whipping the capacity crowd into a sweaty frenzy. By the bridge of “Hey Ya,” Small was sweating and running all over the stage slapping a tambourine across his bare chest on every “two” and “four.” Orange Music proceeded to play hit after hit including, “ATL-iens,” “I Like The Way You Move,” and “Ms. Jackson” before wrapping up the set with “Roses” as the audience moved and shouted along to the chorus.
While the music was the focal point, the show in the audience was just as interesting as the amazing WYEP listeners in attendance came decked out in creative, funny and detailed costumes. There were a few Freddie Mercuries, some detailed takes on classic characters like Edward Scissorhands and Princess Leia, and even some Olympic athletes decked out in swimsuits.
After Orange Music, it was time for the costume contest where four selected finalists were brought onto the stage for the audience to choose the winner. With overwhelming applause, the contest was won by a Ghostbuster fully equipped with all the ghost busting gear that lit up and smoked.
The runner ups were Old Gregg from The Mighty Boosh, a pair of synchronized swimming Olympic medalists, and a pair of zombie pirates.
Once the costume contest was decided, Rosemary Welsch introduced SUREFIRE performing as No Doubt. SUREFIRE’s set leaned heavily on the hits from Stefani and crew’s prime era like “Spiderwebs” and “Sunday Morning,” but they also played hits like “Hella Good” and even pulled out “Hollaback Girl” from Gwen Stefani’s 2004 solo album which was “bananas… B-A-N-A-N-A-S!”
The night came to a glorious finale as Clinton Clegg and his 12-piece band (with horn section and background singers) overtook the stage with a performance that was as emotional as it was energetic as they performed as "Joe Cocker presents Mad Dogs & Englishmen." From the groovy opener of “Feelin’ Alright” to the balladry of “You Are So Beautiful,” Clegg and the big band gave everything they had to the capacity crowd of WYEP listeners and supporters.
It was clear that Clegg had studied Cocker’s work as a singer and performer, and the audience was there to take the journey with the incredible group of Pittsburgh musicians. As the evening was winding down, Clegg invited all the previous performers onto the stage as the organ began playing the classic Cocker version of The Beatles' classic “With a Little Help From My Friends.” All the Wonder Years nostalgia and soulful call and response energy led to one of those special moments that people go to concerts to be a part of.
Clegg’s band, joined by the voices of Zinnia’s Garden, SUREFIRE, Orange Music and the hundreds in attendance highlighted the deep connection that can come from seeing a band perform live.
WYEP has been Pittsburgh’s non-profit, member-supported station for 50 years, and we get by with a little help from our friends, members, listeners, music community, and partners. Seeing 30 of Pittsburgh’s best musicians on stage together singing this classic song was a testament to the beautiful community that the station is proud to support and be a part of. WYEP hosts and staff are already planning our costumes for Hellbender Ball 2025. We hope to see you there!
