Straight No Chaser is an a cappella group that formed in 1996 at Indiana University. The group is known for their lively stage presence, tight vocal harmonies, and ability to seamlessly transition between songs during their concerts. Many fans and critics agree that Straight No Chaser puts on an entertaining and high energy show.
Straight No Chaser’s Background
Straight No Chaser originally consisted of 10 male Indiana University students who came together in 1996 to perform a cappella covers of pop songs. After their initial formation, the group rose to fame through viral videos of their performances on campus. Their breakout moment came in 2006 when a video of them singing “The 12 Days of Christmas” at a 1998 concert went viral on YouTube. This led to a record deal with Atlantic Records and the official reformation of the group.
Since reforming, Straight No Chaser has released several successful albums, toured extensively, and appeared on national television shows. Their repertoire includes covers of contemporary pop songs, jazz standards, and holiday music. While the group’s membership has changed over the years, Straight No Chaser has maintained its signature sound, charismatic stage presence, and tight vocal harmonies.
Straight No Chaser’s Concert Performances
Straight No Chaser is known for putting on highly entertaining concert performances. Here are some of the reasons their shows receive rave reviews:
- Engaging stage presence – The group members interact playfully with each other on stage and get the audience involved with call and response singing and funny banter between songs.
- Seamless transitions – They effortlessly transition between songs, often mixing together two songs or quickly jumping into the next track.
- Fun covers – Their setlist includes unexpected a cappella covers of modern pop songs that show off their vocal talents in new ways.
- Holiday spirit – Their Christmas albums and holiday concert tours offer lively renditions of Christmas carols that get the crowd in the holiday mood.
- Audience participation – They frequently pull audience members up on stage or have the crowd sing along to certain sections.
- Cool lighting/visuals – Their concerts often include creative lighting displays and visual elements that complement the music.
Overall, Straight No Chaser does an excellent job engaging with the audience and putting their vocal talents on full display through unique covers, mashups, holiday songs, and more.
Notable Moments from Straight No Chaser Concerts
Here are some standout moments from Straight No Chaser’s past concerts that demonstrate their impressive live show abilities:
- New Year’s Eve shows – Their NYE concerts are full of high energy party songs and countdowns at midnight to ring in the new year.
- “All I Want For Christmas Is You” – Their version of this Mariah Carey classic often features impressive vocal runs and ultra-high notes.
- TV theme song mashups – Some of their best mashups blend theme songs from classic 90s sitcoms like Friends, Fresh Prince, Golden Girls.
- Michael Jackson medley – They honor the King of Pop with creative a cappella covers of hits like “Thriller,” “Billie Jean,” and “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough.”
- 12 Days of Christmas – Their viral 1998 concert video of this holiday standard features skillful layers of harmonies and vocal percussion or “beatboxing.”
- National anthem performances – They often start shows by performing the Star Spangled Banner or other patriotic songs in multi-part harmony.
These are just a few examples of the exciting moments and surprises that can happen during a Straight No Chaser concert.
Critical Reception and Fan Reviews
Straight No Chaser has received glowing reviews from professional critics highlighting their vocal talent, charming rapport with the audience, and dynamic concert experiences:
- “Straight No Chaser is all about perfect, pitch-perfect, harmony…What really elevates the group above other a cappella acts is how attuned Straight No Chaser is to its audience.” – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
- “Straight No Chaser’s sound is rich and melodious, and their gleeful swagger onstage makes their performances a visual experience as much as an aural one.” – Sacramento Bee
- “Performances feature all the stage presence and antics to bolster the strong musical delivery.” – Miami Herald
Fans who have attended their concerts echo the praise from critics and cite engaging crowd interaction, smooth vocals, and an electric atmosphere as highlights:
Fan Review Highlights | Excerpts from Fan Reviews |
---|---|
Engaging stage presence | “Their ability to engage the audience and get everyone excited is fantastic. The personality they inject into everything they do sets them apart.” |
Fun holiday spirit | “If you want a concert that gets you into the Christmas spirit, this is it. Their energy and arrangements of carols are so fun.” |
Impressive vocals | “Their voices are amazing and the harmonies are out of this world. They sound pitch perfect live.” |
Upbeat tempo | “It’s such an upbeat concert, I couldn’t stop dancing and singing along the whole time!” |
Great mashups | “Hearing them mix modern pop songs with old classics was awesome. Their mashups are so creative.” |
Based on critic and fan consensus, Straight No Chaser’s concerts offer stellar musicianship and entertainment value.
Setlist Variety and Production Quality
Two other factors that contribute to Straight No Chaser’s excellent concerts are the wide variety in their setlist selection and high production quality.
Their setlists change with each tour but often include:
- A cappella covers of today’s chart-topping pop songs
- Jazz, Motown, and oldies classics
- Holiday favorites and Christmas carols
- College fight songs and other crowd-pleasing singalongs
- Mashups that blend different genres seamlessly
By pulling from many eras and styles of music, Straight No Chaser keeps their concerts fresh and engaging from start to finish. Their production team also enhances the show with elements like:
- Professional lighting design that accentuates the mood of each song
- Well-timed video clips and visual effects on large screens
- Quick costume changes between sets
- Top notch live sound engineering and equipment
The combination of an ever-changing setlist and excellent production quality elevate Straight No Chaser’s concerts into a thrilling live experience.
Straight No Chaser Concerts Are High Value Experiences
For fans of a cappella music, Straight No Chaser concerts represent a great value compared to other live shows. Ticket prices are reasonable, especially considering that 10 talented vocalists recreate the sounds of a full band on stage. The group’s humor and crowd-pleasing antics mean the audience stays engaged from start to finish.
Here are a few metrics highlighting the value of Straight No Chaser concerts:
- Ticket prices typically $39 – $89 per seat
- Shows last around 90 minutes on average
- Setlists contain 20 – 30 songs
- Holiday concerts offer extra season appropriate entertainment
- Minimal down time between songs keeps energy levels high
Given the sheer amount of live entertainment delivered, Straight No Chaser concerts deserve their reputation as a must-see event for fans of a cappella music.
Conclusion
In summary, Straight No Chaser has earned its sterling reputation as an a cappella group that puts on an amazing concert experience. Their impressive vocal skills, seamless transitions between songs, and lively stage presence create an atmosphere of joy and fun for audiences. Both critics and fans praise their musical talents and ability to thoroughly entertain a crowd. While the song selection changes with each tour, Straight No Chaser always delivers a dynamic setlist and excellent production values. For a cappella fans, their shows offer tremendous value and memories that will last long after the final chord.