What happens when you cram over a dozen of Cambridge’s most entertaining musicians into an already packed Clare cellars for a self-proclaimed “show the likes of which you’ve never seen before”? The result is unsurprisingly excellent, but it was the variety and freshness of Quasar and Friends’ take on a set of Cambridge classics that takes it beyond your average gig.

Before the headliners, the show was opened up by Lost Projects who, in spite of a yet to be filled Cellars, brought an energy that made their set stand out on its own. Covers of Tyler, the Creator’s ‘See You Again’ and Kanye West’s ‘No More Parties in LA’ bring an unmatched singalong factor, along with still showcasing the breadth of the band’s musical talent through ad-libs and hard-hitting guitar riffs. However, it was the band’s closing rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst’ that stayed with the crowd, bringing a dreamlike quality to Kendrick’s lyrics that set the stage perfectly for the main event.

Following a quick intermission, and chance to grab one of Clare’s assortment of questionably colourful cocktails (the Stone Cold has a luminescence that cannot be healthy), Quasar began their 2hr 15 set. After seeing the advertised length of the show, I was unsure if the band would be able to justify such a long runtime. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Cambridge music scene’s fixation on jazzy covers and mashups of R&B classics as much as the next person, but eeking two hours out of them felt a little ambitious. However, as the show went on it became apparent I was dead wrong.

The group’s ability to keep the show accessible with classics from the likes of A Tribe Called Quest and MF DOOM was one thing, but the roster of musicians supporting Quasar kept you wondering what was coming next. Safi Tiotto-Smith’s sax solos throughout are a highlight, with an inventive approach that brought something new to each number she played. Reece D’Souza and Vince Mastin (Rappers) also shine, bringing an energetic lyricism and a masterclass in crowd engagement that they chalk up to their GCSE drama skills. They’re joined by Lizzie Gross (singer) whose imitation of Doechii’s laughter on ‘BOILED PEANUTS’ and iconic breathing exercises on ‘DENIAL IS A RIVER’ give D’Souza and Mastin’s acting skills a run for their money.

However, the true head-spinning delight of the show kicked into gear at around the 20 minute mark, when Gabriel Aprino took the stage with his double bass and took the lead on iconic bass lines from Mac Miller and Nas. As I whispered to a friend joking about how only in Cambridge would so many people get excited about a double bass, the wonderful roulette of instruments continued. Soon James De Salis Young of Postbox, a 7-piece jazz outfit, joined the party with a sousaphone so comically large it almost scraped the brick ceilings of Cellars. The whole group brought a delightful depth to the set, with the inclusion of Khai Tran belting out baritone sax riffs scratching an itch in my saxophonist brain that no other instrument can really match.

With the night coming toward an end, the group took a sharp turn from wind to strings, with Maya Moh, Joe Parker (violins), Kiran Buzza (Cello), and James De Salis Young (viola) having to quieten an electrified crowd to showcase their talents too. This was followed by a cover of Little Simz’s ‘Gorilla’ to close out; it felt like a musical free-for-all in the best way possible, and all involved brought something refreshingly unique to the number.

As we walked back to College, I reflected with a friend about how this was the kind of show we used to drive over an hour to see at home. The overriding feeling was gratitude. It is testament to the wealth of talent in Cambridge that there are bands and musicians like this on our doorstep playing regularly, and something that we shouldn’t take for granted while we’re still here.