STATE COLLEGE — State College’s musical heartbeat was loud and proud on Wednesday, May 14, as the 814 Originals took over The State Theatre.
You wanted local music? You got it. You wanted raw talent, homegrown stories and artists who bleed Pennsylvania grit? That’s what this was all about.
The event wasn’t just a concert. It was a celebration. A love letter to the musicians grinding away in our basements, bars and local establishments who are getting the spotlight they deserve.
Organized by the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, the 814 Originals series is all about showcasing the best of Centre County and beyond. Wednesday night marked the official premiere of their new music video series, airing for the first time on the big screen and with live performances from some of the featured bands to boot.
This wasn’t your typical cover band type of show. The lineup was stacked with original artists, each bringing something different to the table.
You had Hannah Bingman, a folk singer-songwriter with a sound that feels like home yet digs deeper into the core of your very heart. Her song “Jericho” hits with an emotional punch and her music has a gospel undercurrent rooted in her childhood, where she sang hymns in church.
The merger with her folk style lyrics moved the audience and had listeners yearning for her every word.
“You wrestle with the typical artist question,” Bingman said when asked about what drives her ahead of her performance. “‘Why am I doing this?’ But you can’t shut it off. The songs just come out.”
Bingman’s bandmates echoed the sentiment, praising her storytelling and musicianship.
“She’s spinning plates, man. Banjo, electric, acoustic, vocals … all of it. And she brings it every time,” her upright bassist, J.K., said.
And bring it she did. Her hit single, “Clearer and clearer” had fans swaying to her hypnotic voice and filled their hearts with emotions throughout her entire set.
Then there’s Chris Bell and his band, who gave the night a bluesy backbone filled with grit and groove. Bell’s roots are in blues, no doubt about it, but his set felt more like a jam session with old friends than a stiff blues recital.
Chris himself has been in the game since the early 90s, having toured the country and learned the hard way that the road isn’t all glitter and glam.
“You have to like airports, hotels and driving long hours,” he said. “It’s not for the faint of heart.”
But you could see he wouldn’t trade it for the world, because music is his world.
His hit “Whiskey Ain’t Working” and “Pennsylvania Moonshine” were crowd pleasers and got fans stopping their feet in rhythm to Bell’s deep soothing voice and smooth soul sound.
The performance was a blend of country-rock storytelling with a bluesy ache that stuck to your ribs and moved your spirit. Even the happy songs had that tinge of longing. One minute they’re rocking old school country riffs, the next they’re pulling you into a roadhouse blues groove. Authentic. Gritty. Honest. Real.
Ma’am, a local country-rock band with punk rock roots, did not perform, but their video aired alongside the other performing bands.
“We’re all about original music and being part of the fabric of local art,” singer and guitarist for Ma’am, Tiger Cabus, said.
Ma’am’s sound is a melting pot of influences: Rolling Stones swagger, Doug Sahm soul and MC5 punk attitude, all with a uniquely Pennsylvania twist.
To close the show, Mellow Honey brought insane energy and psychedelic rock vibes.
Think groovy, thick riffs with a dash of a hardcore edge. Their set ignited the State Theatre, warping time for a moment as the crowd rushed to the stage and melted into the music. If you haven’t seen them live, fix that immediately as they are a band that will get you on your feet and your head banging.
Before the sets, the crowd got to see the 814 Originals series music video premieres. Five artists — Caledonia, Hannah Bingman, Chris Bell, Ma’am and Mellow Honey — had their videos aired on the big screen, giving everyone a cinematic look at the talent growing right here in our own backyard.
You can catch these videos on the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance YouTube channel but seeing them at The State Theatre was truly a magical show. Crisp visuals, big sound and a crowd that was electric. It was a night where local music felt like it was being treated with the same reverence as any big-name act.
The night wasn’t just about one show. It was about spotlighting a living, breathing music scene that often gets forgotten.
“It’s a snapshot into a different life in this community,” Tiger from Ma’am said. “There are bands and artists here doing this every day. Some people just don’t know it.”
That’s the point of 814 Originals. To pull back the curtain and show that Centre County is full of talented musicians creating original, heartfelt art. The fact that an event like this packed The State Theatre on a Wednesday night speaks volumes.
For those who missed it, the 814 Originals videos are all up on YouTube. Check them out at youtube.com/@happyvalleysea. You can also catch 814 Originals on their Spotify channel along with each featured artist.
If Wednesday night proved anything, it’s that there’s a wealth of talent right here in the 814 area, and they’re ready to perform for you.
