Meet the Techfest performers!

Each year, Stevens’ Entertainment Committee holds their annual Techfest, which is a concert featuring a popular artist as well as student bands as openers. Techfest also has a Duck Market, featuring small businesses run by Stevens students, and different food trucks. After competing at Battle of the Bands, this year’s student openers are Chris Nitti, Beekeeper, and Earl Grey. In an email interview with The Stute, Chloe Brenna, Publicity Manager of WCPR, provided more insight into each of the bands.

Chris Nitti

The band members in Chris Nitti are Chris Nitti, AJ Kasper, Aaron Lerch, and Trevor LaDue. The instruments in the band include vocals, rhythm and lead guitars, bass, and drums. Their music is a mix of Indie Rock, Folk, and Surf. Prior to coming to Stevens, Chris played shows and started his own recording project, but has since collaborated with others. Other Stevens events that Chris has played at include Battle of the Bands, Techfest 2021, Chi Phi x Theta Phi Alpha’s Midnight Munchies, and AEC Open Mic Nights. His music is available on all major streaming platforms, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp.

Beekeeper

The band members of Beekeeper are Anthony Paolantonio, AJ Kasper, Trevor LaDue, Aaron Lerch, and Jack McDermott. They have produced indie rock music since 2020. The instruments include vocals, synth, rhythm and lead guitars, bass, and drums. At Stevens, Beekeeper has played at Techfest 2021, Battle of the Bands, and AEC Open Mic Nights. They have also played gigs at PIANOS in New York City, Heaven Can Wait in the East Village, and 10prl in Long Branch, New Jersey. Their music is available on all major streaming platforms, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp. Paolantonio also releases music under the name “Jude.”

Earl Grey

They are an American Rock band that formed in 2021. The band members are Sebastian Ortiz, Jacob Galperin, Oliver Racciatti, and Brendan Krog. Their band has vocals, bass, rhythm and lead guitars, and drums. At Stevens, they have played at Battle of the Bands, and outside of Stevens, they have played gigs at The Fire in Philadelphia, The Jungle in Massachusetts, and Arlene’s Grocery in the Lower East Side. The band recently released their self-titled debut EP consisting of four total songs in Spring 2022. Their music is available on all major streaming platforms, SoundCloud, and Bandcamp.

Headliner: A R I Z O N A

The headliner for this year’s Techfest is A R I Z O N A! The band is an American rock and electropop band that formed in 2015. The band members are Zachary Hannah, Nathan Esquite, and David Labuguen. The band currently has 2 albums out, Gallery and Asylum. They have toured with Kevin Garrett and opened for both COIN and Panic! At the Disco. They have played at a bunch of festivals; including South by Southwest, Governors Ball Music Festival, Firefly Music Festival, and Lollapalooza.