Controversy At The Curb

Kikko Mai performing in front of the LED Panel, Zach Watkins

Rainy weather foreshadowed a contentious night in the Curb Event Center Saturday during Belmont’s biggest night for pop music. 

Pop Showcase is the third fall installment of the Showcase series, which highlights the best of Belmont’s artists who blend catchy songwriting with a mix of outside genres and influences.  

The lineup included current students Sullivan Grace, Meghan Curtin, Kikko Mai and Dean Marino. Belmont alum Sierra Carson also performed a non-adjudicated set with songs she wrote as a songwriting student. 

Each act provided a set reflective of the music they want to continue making, upscaled by a full band. The night’s winner, Meghan Curtin, used the showcase to mark her first formal performance. 

“I’m really grateful that I’m alive, singing and making music. I’m not going to say too much because less is more," said Curtin as she won, making a cheeky reference to one of her songs. 

Controversy followed the decision, though, with many students taking to the anonymous social media platform Fizz. 

One user went as far as to create a poll about who should have won which garnered over 3000 votes, more than 2400 of which were not for Curtin.  

“I've been seeing a lot of comments like this. I just wanted to say that I've dealt with a lot of grief this past month. I chose to use my time to remember some people that I never got to say goodbye to. It meant so much to me and I wouldn't have done it any other way,” said Curtin on Instagram. 

The Showcase Series has remained a consistent force in Belmont’s music scene due to its focus on cultivating opportunities for students on and off stage thatpropels them into the music industry. 

“You guys can be involved, whether this is your fifth showcase or first showcase,” said showcase ambassador and emcee Carter Guse. “It’s not just me speaking up here.” 

Having the opportunity to learn practical skills in the field while working with peers keeps junior music business major Esperanza Garcia coming back to work on showcases. Pop Showcase 2025 was her first showcase working in marketing, but her seventh overall, with previous experience in artist relations. 

Sullivan Grace starts off the show with her performance. Photo by Greer Patten 

Sullivan Grace’s friends cheer her on during her set. Photo by Greer Patten 

Meghan Curtin performs her first song of her performance. Photo by Greer Patten

Kikko Mai sings and plays her acoustic guitar for her first song. Photo by Greer Patten 

The crowd sings with Kikko Mai with signs to support. Photo by Greer Patten 

The final performer, Dean Marino, sings. Photo by Greer Patten 

Dean Marino. Photo by Zach Watkins 

Alumni Sierra Carson performs as the deliberation act. Photo by Zach Watkins

Meghan Curtin tearfully speaks to the crowd after winning Pop Showcase. Photo by Greer Patten 

This article was written by Ria Skyer and Zach Watkins with photos by Greer Patten and Zach Watkins