An energetic crowd spent the night of Nov. 18 dancing, swaying and moshing through Are You A Match? — Match Records’ opportunity for student artists to get signed to the label. A range of talent took up Hop Springs’ stage, with By The Willows and Blank Page heading home with new label deals.

Match Records, MTSU’s student-run record label, holds this event once a semester, offering a stage for student artists to showcase their talent. Five unsigned artists bring their most polished sets to the show with hopes of hearing their name called at the end of the night.

Madeline Whisenant, head of A&R at Match, said what stood out most was the individuality.

“Everybody really had their own character on stage,” Whisenant said. “I think everybody in the crowd got a taste of their favorite kind of music.”

The five finalists made up a diverse line-up of genres. From Crvig’s infectious energy to Julia Jayne’s touching solo set to Zach Ariotti’s strings and synth, there was something for everyone to dance — or cry — to.

“We really get to see people shine that have a great stage presence,” Whisenant said. “We get to see them in their true form.”

Are You A Match? is the culmination of countless hours, Whisenant said. It’s not a single-night decision. The decision-making process is backed by more than just the night’s performance.

When the decision is made, selected artists get signed. Signing leads to mentorship and connections, opening up the door for chances not previously available.

Whether an artist is signed at the end of the night or not, Whisenant said the process of Are You A Match? offers everyone an opportunity for growth.

Five artists took the stage, each bringing a distinct sound that kept the room shifting genres and emotions. From lively theatrics to honest lyricism, the night moved quickly, taking the audience with it.

First artist: By The Willow

The first name called out by Whisenant after the sets wrapped was By The Willow. The energetic pop-rock band hurried to the stage with grins splayed across their faces.

“We’ve never really had a girl rock band before,” Whisenant said.

Lead singer Veronica Beech made the stage her own with twirls and hair flips. The band’s charismatic energy pulled the crowd in as Beech’s vocals met tight instrumentation.

“We balance each other out,” Lois Paredes, the band’s guitarist, said.

One moment during the set, Beech looked over at her band and was moved by the smiles on their faces.

“It was a very special moment,” Beech said. “We put in so much work and we’re just so happy and so proud.”

“Even though we try to be serious with themes and lyrics, having such a good performance makes you want to smile,” Paredes said. “That happened tonight.”

The band typically plays gigs in Nashville, and Beech said they are excited to open new horizons and play for college students.

Second artist: Blank Page

The other signing of the night, Blank Page, offered a different

kind of electricity. The country duo — MTSU freshmen and high school sweethearts Jack Robert and Avery Markakis — performed an all-original set defined by alternating harmonies. 

The set ranged from high-intensity guitar and vocals to vulnerable peeks into the duo’s hearts. 

Their new single and current favorite song to perform, “To The Grave,” energized the room early on. But it was “Flower,” a slow, stripped-back anniversary present Robert wrote for Markakis, that stilled the crowd.

“It’s nice when that one resonates with large crowds,” Robert said. “That’s how you know people are listening.”

The duo’s energy had the crowd rocking to the beat, eyes locked on the stage.

“It was a fun crowd,” Markakis said. “They were hootin’ and hollerin’. I was getting the energy that the audience was giving.”

The packed crowd in front of the stage was filled with an attentive audience that was, as Markakis said, shouting approval at the set.

Their alternating vocals and raw emotion cast their own spotlight during the performance.

“The original songwriting they have is super different,” Whisenant said. “I’m really excited about that.”

Though only two artists were signed after the show, all performers played a role in shaping an energized crowd and moving the audience with their music.