Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University will feature Drew & Kin, a piano-rock duo and alumni of the university, as the headline act for its Homecoming halftime show. The performance is scheduled during the Eagles’ football game against Louisiana on Saturday, September 20, at Rynearson Stadium.

The event is part of an all-Michigan composer show organized by EMU’s Marching Band to highlight Michigan’s musical contributions. Nick Smith, associate professor and associate director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at EMU, said, "I wanted to find a way to celebrate alumni while also creating a halftime experience that felt more like a Friday night out with your best friends - something that relates to everyone," adding, "After talking with Drew & Kin, I learned they lived close, and would deliver the exact experience that was in my mind."

Drew De Four and Colleen “Kin” Curran met during their first year at Eastern Michigan University. Since then, they have performed over 2,000 shows across North America and other continents. Their performances include venues ranging from cruise ships in the Mediterranean to music festivals in Dublin. They have worked with several well-known musicians such as Brad Phillips (associated with Patti LuPone and Jeff Daniels), Phredley Brown (music director for American Idol and Bruno Mars), and Theo Katzman (Vulfpeck).

“Returning to EMU, the place where both our education and our relationship began, is such an honor,” said Drew De Four. “We are optimists and try to look at every idea, person, and situation with the most charitable, patient, and kind perspective. This is, in our experience, the healthiest and happiest way to live, and we hope our performance spreads a bit of this attitude to the crowd - especially anyone who needs a lift.”

The halftime show will also include music by Michigan artists such as Grand Funk Railroad (“Some Kind of Wonderful”), Bob Seger (“Ole Time Rock n Roll”), Aretha Franklin (“Think/Respect”), Al Green (“Let’s Stay Together”), Madonna (“Like a Prayer”), Eminem (“Lose Yourself”), and The White Stripes (“Seven Nation Army”).

“It’s special to have our own artists right down the road, who met on our campus, and because of their education went on to do great things,” Smith said.

Eastern Michigan University was founded in 1849. It serves nearly 13,000 students across undergraduate through doctoral programs offered through its various colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; as well as its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its academic quality, diversity initiatives, and commitment to practical education.

For more information about Eastern Michigan University visit https://www.emich.edu/. To stay up-to-date on university news visit https://today.emich.edu/.