PHNX Pop-Rock Ensemble Holds Its Fall Show

Jamie Wigginton, the director of PHNX performing alongside the group, Ava Gorney

Belmont’s pop-rock ensemble, PHNX, held its fall semester performance Friday night in the Massey Concert Hall, energizing the audience with an electrifying show. 

PHNX is one of Belmont’s music ensembles which features a six-piece band and eight vocalists. They sing popular classics as well as newer, trendy pop-rock hits.

The show didn’t have a specific title, but PHNX director Jamie Wigginton had a reason for that.

“PHNX shows are themed, but in the fall show I don’t give it a name because I think it’s important to let the audience make their own impression by it,” Wigginton said. “As you can hear, the words ‘lovely day,’ ‘beautiful day’ and ‘life is beautiful’ came up a whole lot because we wanted that message.”

The show started with an impactful performance by the full company, which blended two songs, “The End” by Cody Fry and “Pure Imagination” from the movie “Wonka.”

PHNX then went into a melancholy solo of “Cheek to Cheek" featuring Dean Marino, who recently performed in Pop Showcase. The song then spontaneously switched into Marino busting out into choreography and hyping up the crowd with a performance of hit song “Locked out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars.

After this was a slower, emotionally charged rendition of “Fake Plastic Trees” by Radiohead, featuring vocalist Blake Patterson. 

Next was a soulful rendition of the classic “Sweet Love” by Anita Baker. The singer featured in this number was Jack Corcoran, but he was backed by multiple other PHNX members who were harmonizing alongside him. 

Outside of larger group pieces, PHNX featured many memorable solo pieces. Lindsay Liebro had the audience clapping with her energetic original “Pretty Boy” and Kaitlyn Chung performed “Don’t Hurt Yourself” by Beyonce that started with opera vocals, and then ended with an edgy twist. 

The performance closed out with a powerful finish, with the full ensemble singing “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers. 

“We are literally a family, through all our ups our downs our all arounds we are always there for each other," said PHNX member Elana Purvis.

Throughout the entire show, the audience was immersed in PHNX’s engaging performances, clapping to the beat of songs or even taking part in call and responses with the performers. 

“I have to say that all of the group numbers with their harmonies and solo moments with the band backing them showed their strong suits the most, their stage presence was amazing,” said audience member Tess Smith.

This article was written by Ava Gorney