Colorado State University’s Festival on the Oval brought hundreds of students and locals to one of the most historic sites on campus to celebrate CSU’s Homecoming & Family Weekend Oct. 2. 

As attendees roamed around, interacting with booths and enjoying their food and beverages, a soundtrack provided by Fort Collins’ own local funk, soul and R&B band, Titonic filled the air.

“It’s been a blast,” said Monique Ford, lead singer and founder of the band. “It’s such a great opportunity to come back and, you know, play in Fort Collins. We formed in Fort Collins, and to bring back a home show is just awesome.”

The show represented a shot at hometown redemption for Titonic, as the previous two times the band was slated to play Fort Collins events its shows were cancelled due to inclement weather.

“We were supposed to play the Lagoon Concert Series,” Ford said, also remarking the band was set to play at the Fort Collins Peach Festival, but that too was rained out. “I was so bummed about that because those were the two events we really wanted to play. … It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t get to play, but we’re very thankful that CSU brought us back for this event.”

Titonic covered songs old and new, spanning some of the hits of funk and R&B music. Songs like “Get Yo’ Feet Back on the Ground” by Tower of Power, and “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire brought the disco fusion and folk rock of the ’70s to The Oval. Other tracks came from closer to present day, like CeeLo Green’s “Forget You” and Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.”

Nothing says Homecoming like the return of alumni, and for one member of Titonic, that’s exactly what this show was.

“I graduated here about almost nine years ago, so winter of 2017,” trombonist Aidan King said. “I got my trombone performance degree here. (It) really was a second chance for me, transferring from the University of Denver.”

While this event may have sufficed without the addition of a live band, many attendees said it elevated the overall experience.

“It’s really nice to see the local talent,” said Oliver Tubbs, CSU student. “The atmosphere of a live band is just so much better and, like, lively.”

The festival featured multiple booths representing many groups related to CSU and greater Fort Collins, including academic programs, extracurriculars and student resources.

Among these groups was the Music Business Collective, a student group that describes itself as “an organization dedicated to bringing live music to the CSU campus and Fort Collins Community.”

“You know, they could’ve gotten a DJ,” said Keiran Wisell, a CSU student and the live events chair of the Music Business Collective. “They could’ve just, like, had somebody on aux, like, playing through the speakers, but I really think there is a certain energy and a certain message that is to be said by having live music. It’s, like, we care enough to have real people here.”

Wisell was tabling with the Music Business Collective, spreading the word to the CSU community about what they are up to as a group and how students can get involved. He said he enjoyed Titonic’s performance. 

“They’re playing some good covers,” Wisell said. “Very tight musicians — the singer has an amazing voice; it’s super fun.”

A sentiment shared by many at Festival on The Oval was the value of live music.

“Go see shows,” Wisell said. “Just, like, have a good time. Go see some music and listen and just enjoy yourself.”

Reach David Martinez at entertainment@collegian.com or on social media @RMCollegian.