Photo by Aderet Fishbane '25
By Sarah Berger ’27
Arts & Entertainment Editor
As a picturesque sunset fell over Pratt Music Hall, Mount Holyoke College student band Twolips began their Sept. 19 concert on the grass just outside the building. A small crowd gathered before the show began, but several more listeners came after the music started, attracted by both the melodies and the s’mores offered by the Office of Student Involvement a few feet away. Twolips began the show with “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman, followed by “Bigger Fish” by Odie Lee, “Sexy Weekend” by Scoundrels, “Different Drum” by Stoney Poneys and “I Will” by The Beatles.
They ended with a rousing rendition of “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, which led many students to rise and dance. The crowd was enthusiastic and warm, and it felt more like a gathering between friends than a traditional concert.
Prior to their show on Thursday, Twolips gave a performance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in collaboration with the UMass Amherst outing club. Spectator Shelby Smith ’25 said their performance of “Crimson and Clover” had “every single person in the cramped space singing Joan Jett.”
Photo by Aderet Fishbane '25
Twolips is made up of guitarist Charlotte Barry ’27, singer Clara Murphy ’25, bassist Georgia Swanson ’26 and drummer Lily Kenney ’27. Barry knew she wanted to start a band before she arrived at the College, so she reached out to Kenney online about drumming. The other two members joined through organic meetings around campus.
Speaking of the group’s dynamic, Barry said, “We’ve narrowed our focus down to rock and alternative tunes and have really bonded with each other. We all love getting together and jamming. Even on our weekends, you can find us in the basement of Pratt throwing songs together.” The band was officially named after its members canvassed for ideas around Blanchard Hall. For readers who aren’t pun-inclined, the name can be read both as “tulips” and “two lips,” like a mouth. (There could also be a triple entendre in the name).
In the future, Twolips will be playing on WMHC’s “Live at 5” program and possibly performing at Amherst College’s battle of the bands. If you would like to be kept in the loop about what they are planning, their Instagram handle is @thebandtwolips.
Karishma Ramkarran ’27 contributed fact-checking.