Gathered on campus at the University of Oregon in 2010, the premiere all-male a cappella group On The Rocks was going to take on one of the biggest hits of the year. ‘Bad Romance’ may have been a challenging song to tackle, but the group wasn’t going to shy away from the task. In fact, they were so committed to the performance that they even incorporated Lady Gaga’s iconic dance moves from the video. The result was a performance that took the internet by storm.
Now having drawn in over 12M views, the comments are full of viewers amazed by the group’s musical skill. While the audience online lauded their skills, the audience in attendance that day was in stitches of laughter – likely thanks to the unexpected nature of a group of men committing themselves entirely to Gaga’s flamboyant dance style. However, as one online viewer who enjoyed the video put it, “this is not a joke, it is a high-level performance by legends.”
Personally, I think this performance strikes the perfect balance between funny and impressive. It’s easy to see why people found it funny at first – in 2010, an all-male choir tackling the choreography of a pop diva would have been unexpected. To me, though, it truly is the musical talent of the group that stands out. A cappella groups never fail to impress me, and this one truly managed to capture the energy of ‘Bad Romance’, their voices blending together to build up the soundscape perfectly.
The popularity of the video helped it reach stars such as Ashton Kutcher and Joe Jonas, who reposted the video online, causing it to go even more viral. Things took a turn for On The Rocks when a casting director from the reality TV show ‘The Sing Off’ saw their video and invited them to audition. Of course, they went along and recreated their Bad Romance performance, this time impressing TV audiences with their talent and sending them through to the next round of the competition.
Coming 5th overall in ‘The Sing Off’, the group has continued to attract fans with their music in the 15 years since their Lady Gaga cover. They have now released nine studio albums and embarked on multiple international tours, meaning that, for Music Man fans who have now fallen in love with this talented a cappella group, there is plenty more to dig into. With such a high standard of performance throughout this group’s performances, they are sure not to disappoint.
On The Rocks proved that sometimes the most unexpected performances make the biggest impact. Their rendition of ‘Bad Romance’ not only showcases their musical prowess but also their flair for captivating an audience. Whether it’s the choreography or harmonies that intrigue you, this performance has something for everyone. Curious to dive deeper into their world? Discover more about this incredible group through the links below.