New talent made its way to Statesboro Friday night when the bands Aer and Ballyhoo, presented by Haney/Randall/Davey Productions, played their hearts out at GATA’s Sports Bar and Grille.

“We’re trying to bring in bands that Statesboro isn’t used to,” Aron Randall, senior political science major and contract writer for the bands, said.

The night began with an anxious crowd and much preparation. The opening band, The Larry David Project, kicked the night off at around 9 p.m. with its upbeat, electric funk type of sound. Senior business management major Brad Porter, who had never heard the band before, thought it sounded pretty good.

“They’ve got good chemistry but they need some lyrics,” Porter said.

As Aer fans continued to wait impatiently, Ballyhoo confidently took the stage around 10:30 p.m. The band’s lead vocalist Howi Spangler expressed the band’s excitement of performing in a new town.

“We’ve never been here before so we’re going to rock it. It’s a college town,” Spangler said.

Ballyhoo is a band from Baltimore, motivated by the “love of playing music and traveling and the thought of making people happy with music.” The band started out playing in high school and actually two of its members, Donald and Howi Spangler, are brothers. Spangler explains that the rock and reggae sound of their music is based on life, is very positive and tells listeners to keep their head up.

Senior logistics major Brad York, from New York, went to GATA’s just because he was a music lover and wanted to hear a new band.

“They have a nice, groovy even flow. It’s cool. It allows you to drop the stress and worries from college life,” York said about Ballyhoo.

After the 15-minute intermission, mic checks and “We want Aer!” chants, Aer raided the stage. This hip-hop band came from Boston and began playing in high school. After the band split its junior year, producer and chorus singer David Von Mering and lead vocalist Carter Schultz decided to continue rapping. Having been on tour for the past week and a half, the band was enthusiastic about this performance.

“Everyone seems excited, so why shouldn’t we be?” Schultz said.

The band’s fans were excited, indeed. As soon as Aer got on stage, a large group of students crowded in front of them. With just about every hand in the air, the band captivated the audience and had them literally jumping around.

The audience had similar opinions. Some were genuine fans of Aer and gave outright approval of the band.

“All I have to say is Aer. The end. I’m done,” senior relations and marketing major Jenna Campbell said.

Some of those audience members who’ve never heard of rappers enjoyed the modern sounds of this new music. Mariah Voiselle, junior exercise science major, felt that the band was different from what Statesboro is used to.

The band’s message resounded in the room following the performance — be comfortable with who you are and motivated to do what you always wanted to do.