Are music videos a reason to celebrate?

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For Barberton rock group The Heights Band, it is.

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The band recently filmed a video for their single “Like I Do” and scheduled a performance at The Outpost to premiere it.

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The show could have gone any way considering it was the same Saturday as the closing night of the Kent State Folk Festival at The Kent Stage and the Ratt Fest at the Rathskeller. Not to mention a little football game involving Ohio State and Michigan.

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But nevertheless, the venue filled its capacity as each of the opening bands took the stage to perform their sets. The Hobs kicked off the night as many people hovered around the bar and back lounge area, lurking like gargoyles, politely clapping as each song came to an end.

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The Heights Band “Like I do” from CK Media on Vimeo.

The next act, Alliance’s Ram in the Bush brought energy as well as a significant chunk of the crowd already in the room. Their mix of 70’s rock and roll and piano rock seemed to have struck a nerve with the crowd as they ambushed singer/guitarist Tim Koly every time he went near the edge of the stage. The set-ending song included a friend coming onstage and performing a saxophone solo, which made their song sound even fuller.

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While the show seemed to fall behind time wise, Akron’s Tweaktronic made their way to the stage quickly. Within a couple minutes the trio had the crowd dancing to their own blend of rock and funk. They even played their own interpretation of James Brown’s “I Feel Good.” Their 45-minute set helped the crowd get ready for the headliners as everyone was on their feet by the end.

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A video screen lowered while The Heights Band sound checked their equipment. The directors of the video gave a brief introduction and then the video premiered. Thankfully much of the crowd already knew the song as their shouts and applause drowned out the music. The short clip had the crowd wet with excitement as the screen rose as the first notes of music started.

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By the time the band made it through their first song, it was already a quarter to midnight. The crowd screamed, shouted, clapped and raised their drinks in the air at the band’s request. The only thing they didn’t see to do was be silent as the band tore through songs from their 2009 debut album “We Are the Heights Band.”

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The band concluded their set with huge applause from the packed crowd and multiple thank yous from each of the band members. The response they received made it seem that even though they were there to celebrate a music video, The Heights Band and their entire crowd would celebrate for any type of occasion.

Contact Max Hayden at [email protected].