Slow Pulp delivered an ethereal performance that delighted students and residents alike Tuesday night at the Champaign City Center.

Slow Pulp is an indie rock band from Madison, Wisconsin, composed of four members, with Emily Massey as the lead vocalist. The group is known for its shoegaze style of music, which incorporates elements such as distorted guitars and layered vocals.

Fans packed the main venue of the City Center to see the band perform its signature style of music.

“It’s so cool to have live music near us,” said Isabelle Afshari, sophomore in LAS. “Especially because we are in Champaign, so there’s definitely not that much going on.”

The show began with a performance by opener Cherry Vance, amping up the crowd with adrenaline-pumping performances and playful audience interaction. 

With the crowd warmed up later, Slow Pulp came onstage, beginning the night with “Do You Feel It.” The song from the band’s EP “Big Day” generated energy that seeped into the growing crowd.

The band went on to play more of its hits, such as “Idaho” and “Cramps,” entrancing the audience with masterful instrumentation and Massey’s powerful vocals.

Around 20 minutes into the show, Massey stopped to address the crowd.

“We’re so excited to be here,” Massey said. “Thank you so much for coming out on a Tuesday night.”

The audience was surprisingly calm as the band continued its set with pulsating guitars and haunting vocals, with very little screaming, dancing or chaos, as if, instead, they wished to live in the moment and space that the music created. 

“Their music isn’t loud or upbeat or anything,” said Ananya Sampathkumar, sophomore in LAS. “But it’s fun, it’s vibey and it’s just good.”

The audience sang along with some tracks and cheered when the band finished songs. Otherwise, the crowd remained mostly tame throughout the night. 

The band flowed from one song to the next without many breaks, adding to the transcendent nature of its performance.

There were a few moments where the band stopped to introduce a song such as “Broadview,” “MUD” and “Falling Apart,” drawing even further support from the crowd. 

Massey was easily the highlight of the show. Her incredible vocal range and performance elevated each song the band played, and her friendly rapport with the audience made her a fantastic stage presence.

“Is college going OK,” Massey said, laughing at the disgruntled response from the audience. “For those of you (in college). Mixed reviews. I dropped out of college, so it’s cool.”

As the night continued, the band alternated between roaring tracks that filled the room with noise and quieter, slower songs that sank their teeth into the audience. 

The audience made it clear that the show itself was just as special as the band performing. 

“I honestly don’t think there are enough shows like this in Urbana,” said Hailey Lindsey, Urbana resident. “Something close to this are the house shows that go on, but they don’t really have indie music like this going on.”

Toward the end of the show, Slow Pulp gave some context on “Yard,” one of the group’s biggest singles and a personal track for Massey. 

“We put out a record last year, two years ago, I can’t even keep track,” Massey said. “This song is about family, about sisters.”

After finishing “Yard,” the band launched into its final song of the night, “At Home.” 

“You guys have been so wonderful,” Massey said. “Thank you so much for coming out.” 

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