Colin Friedel sings during Dunk’s set Saturday at Basecamp. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Capturing the backyard beer-and-barbeque vibe, Dunk and Astrakinetic took the stage at Basecamp once again for the newly branded Dunkfest this past Saturday, Feb. 7.

Ohana Miura sings during Astrakinetic’s set. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Astrakinetic was first to take the stage, opening with a booming rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” immediately signaling that this event wasn’t about the upcoming Valentine’s Day—it was all about fun.

Ohana Miura followed solo, delivering powerful vocals on Måneskin’s “Beggin’” as well as her original track, “Be a Legend.”

Miura wasn’t the only one commanding attention, however; drummer Hayes Averill ’27 joined her for several duets throughout the afternoon. Their rendition of Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body” fired up the crowd, drawing in more attendees as the performance continued.

Astrakinetic also made sure to showcase their musical versatility, evoking the ’70s with “Play That Funky Music” and “Stayin’ Alive.” These performances not only delighted the audience but also gave guitarist Grant Swanson ’26 a chance to shine as a soloist, rather than just a member of the ensemble.

Solace’s Adi Ranganathan ’26 made a guest appearance, filling in on keyboard for several pieces.

The band’s standout moments came with their renditions of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Dark Necessities” and “Under the Bridge.” The Los Angeles-based RHCP have long been a Bay Area staple, performing at Levi’s Stadium multiple times over the years. Challenging guitar work—and especially the slapping bass lines from Luke Carlson ’27—demanded attention, setting the stage for the next act.

Dunk took the stage shortly after, kicking off with a bold rendition of Cherub’s “Doses and Mimosas,” giving each instrumentalist a moment to shine—before building up to OutKast’s “Hey Ya!,” a crowd favorite at these house shows.

Audience members jump and sing along to Dunk’s rendition of “Chicken Fried” by Zac Brown Band. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Vocalist Maliah McKenna ’29 showcased her range with renditions of “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “Soak Up the Sun,” before delivering another classic, Taylor Swift’s “Our Song,” inviting the audience to join in on the performance.

The crowd during Dunk’s performance at Basecamp on Saturday was smaller than average audiences at house shows that often take place at night. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Guitarist and vocalist Colin Friedel ’26 was a powerhouse in “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and “Calling Baton Rouge,” showcasing both his musical talents alongside violinist Orion Cook ’26 in the latter, who fiddled his way into the afternoon.

Drummer Brix Brewster ’27 made sure he wasn’t lost in the mix, taking the microphone for a raucous performance of Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.” He delivered a spirited drum solo and hyped the crowd, while Friedel climbed onto a nearby roof to play from above.

Colin Friedel plays the guitar on top of a roof. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Eph Esson ’26 also stood out in the closing acts, tackling intricate guitar solos in a mashup of “Dixieland Delight” and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” leading into the finale of “Free Bird.” He was joined by the driving bassline of Ewan Bailey ’29, rounding out a high-energy conclusion.

Each band brought their own magnified energy, accompanied by food service in the form of hot dogs—and the earliest hints of a summer barbeque, as Santa Clara begins to warm up once again—creating a festive, sun-soaked atmosphere that had the crowd dancing well into the afternoon.

Alyssa Wyatt ’29 holds a hot dog while she listens to Dunk’s set at Basecamp. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

The Logistics

Dunk featured Friedel and Esson on guitar, Cook on violin, Brewster on drums, Maliah McKenna as lead vocalist, and Bailey on bass, with Matteo Reyes ’29 joining as a guest keyboardist.

Astrakinetic included Swanson on guitar, Carlson on bass, Miura on vocals, guest keyboardist Ranganathan on keys, and Averill on drums.