There’s nothing quite like live music at THON. However, it could use some work.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the cover bands that have played so far this THON Weekend. Live music is the easiest way to make time pass quickly and the energy immediately levels up when they take to the stage.

Knowing that they are playing during the wee hours of the morning and the dead of the night, most of them have opted for classics they know will get the crowd moving. I am a big fan of this logic except for one flaw.

Unlike them, we have watched every band perform over the course of the weekend and because of that, we know all too well the songs that we have already heard.

Although “Mr. Brightside” is a surefire way to get a crowd screaming at 3 a.m., there are only so many times we can hear it performed by a cover band before it becomes stale. The same logic applies to other classics like “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield, “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan and some variation of “Shiver” by John Summit.

Of course, the performers have no idea what the other acts are going to come on stage and do, so it is up to THON to check out what each band is playing before the big weekend comes around. THON checks carefully over every detail of the weekend so I am not asking for much by wanting the elimination of repeats.

Next year, I dare them to stray from the most listened-to TikTok hits and delve slightly into a larger category than just Billboard Top 100. Maybe we could even get crazy and let the bands play an original song or two.

People just stopping in would most likely have no complaints with what they are hearing, but for the dancers and those of us there for hours on end, there are only so many times we can do the “HOT TO GO!” dance, or get energized when someone on stage yells, “Coming out of my cage and I’ve been doing just fine.”

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