Written by Tiane Davis and Sam Robinson // Photo by Cooper Turman
Last weekend, men’s social club Knights held a charity concert featuring musicians Nordista Freeze and Greedi at Citizen Park. Tickets were $7 or $10 with an included poster, and all proceeds were donated to Dwell Uganda, a nonprofit that repairs low-income housing in Uganda.
Guitarist for Nordista Freeze Sam Hearn described their music as “hyper-rock,” because it has a style that is “similar to the electronic sounds of the hyperpop genre” but mixed into classic rock instead of pop. Freeze was largely influenced by musicians like Jan and Dean, Frankie Valli and Herman’s Hermits, he said.
Freeze said he was excited to play for Harding students again.
“We’ve played Searcy and Harding many times, and I’m prepared to engage through my set,” Freeze said.
Freeze’s performance involved moving around the stage, climbing on the wall behind the stage and running through the mosh pit. Through his music and performances, Freeze said he has a specific message he wants to send.
“I have hope that … everybody feels free,” Freeze said.
At Citizen Park, musicians and the crowd alike were given the opportunity to participate in the show, both having climbed onto the I-bars and surrounding rooftops for a better view. The mosh pit at the front of the stage was dense and stayed charged all night, with many fans crowd-surfing and running into each other while dancing.
Junior Sam Busbey, Harding student and musician who guest opened under the name “Greedi” at the concert, played music that included a mix of rap, pop, rock and metal, inspired by artists such as Deftones and Playboi Carti.
Busbey said Freeze was energetic and surprised the crowd with how interactive and playful he was.
“His energy is really contagious because his music itself isn’t too crazy, but he just makes it wild,” Busbey said. “Nordista’s a big artist, and performing with someone of his status is something I’ve dreamed of.”
Busbey said knowing the proceeds went to charity was the most satisfying part of the show.
“Every ounce of pessimism in my body about the show was crushed by that knowledge,” he said. “Hopefully, I get more chances to have such an impact on others’ lives like this.”
The energy at the concert was unlike any other experience, junior Gavin Whitaker said. He said the performers are “skilled crowd instructors.”
“They had control over our emotions and excitement,” Whitaker said. “The mosh pit was theirs, and they used it responsibly and humorously. Everyone there ― man and woman ― tall and short ― we were all together all night long.”
Whitaker said Busbey is a good friend of his and that he eagerly anticipated his performance as soon as the event was announced.
“The pride I felt ― that we all felt ― while he was performing was overwhelming,” Whitaker said. “He is a great artist, and his love for what he does was evident.”
Whitaker said he hopes events like Nordista Freeze’s and Greedi’s performances can inspire local artists to share their work.
“I hope that it shows the strugglers that they don’t need to be afraid,” Whitaker said. “People are yearning for something new and something exciting, and I believe that Searcy and the surrounding communities are full of capable creators.”
