David Kisiel of Neversleep. (All photos courtesy of Stephanie Chaddock.)

Connector Editor

The latest installment of the VPAC concert series presented by MEISA (Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association) took a rock ‘n’ roll trio, an alternative rock quartet  and a nine-piece indie-funk fusion and rolled them into an impressive display of musical talent Thursday night in Fox Common.

Urban Tea split their time on stage between playing as a funk band with a modern twist and an indie band with hints of progressive rock in their instrumentals. While the drumming was certainly the backbone of the band’s performance, nearly every member got a chance to shine with solos on multiple instruments.

Splashing in covers of hit songs and originals, Urban Tea performed a rendition of “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson before granting an encore to the jubilant crowd.

The band featured three keyboard players, two saxophonists, a trombonist and a trumpet player, in addition to a guitarist, bassist and drummer, who all found their way to groove together with limited space on stage.

Steve Oundo of Urban Tea.

Neversleep, an all-student alternative rock band, were the second of the three groups to play Thursday night.

Lead vocalist David Kisiel’s stage presence was impressive, especially during the song “Momentum,” while drummer Devin Congdon was in his own world behind the kit.

Their opening song “I Just Want My Hoodie Back” set the tone for what became a showcase of their latest EP “Dead Ends and Thin Ice,” released in November.

The band additionally covered the Foo Fighters’ hit “My Hero” and played a new, unreleased track. Even with low output from the vocal microphones, the group’s set was as energetic as their recorded tracks.

The Ben Cote Band opened the Fox Common show turning back pages in the rock ‘n’ roll history books. The trio played an assortment of classic rock ‘n’ roll tracks by artists including the Eagles, Aerosmith, Van Halen and Led Zeppelin.

Guitarist Ben Cote soloed and sang his way through each cover and original song, including Van Halen’s “Eruption,” Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love,” the Eagles’ “Hotel California” with a ska-like twist and the band’s own “Hollywood Angel.”

Sophomore Alex Simpson filled in on bass for the rock trio, providing vocals for a cover of “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith while maintaining a steady, rhythmic bass line.