what is rhapsody

Rhapsody is Live Music's largest production of the year featuring over 100 cast and crew coming together to perform an entirely student-created setlist. Each song is written/arranged for the show by society members consisting of pop and rock medleys, mashups and genre-changes, and is performed in the newly refurbished Bloomsbury Theatre with a capacity of over 500 seats. With around 20 songs a show, each one is performed with a different cast of musicians with auditions during the first half of the first term. Check out the Live Music Society YouTube Channel for past years’ footage.

Rhapsody 2020 will have not only large numbers, but small chamber groups in between each number. The ideal large scale Rhapsody arrangement is one that is not achievable in a normal setting  - ie with your average band. For this reason, many of our numbers encompass large choirs or the inclusion of classical instruments into a classic band set-up, not only making the pieces more impressive on stage, but also allowing the mixing of individuals from different musical backgrounds.

 

RHAPSODY 2019

WINNER OF BEST BLOOMSBURY SHOW 2018/19

“The opening night of UCL’s Rhapsody was a tremendous success” “A true feast for the senses.” Pi Media

“Overall the energy in the auditorium was through the roof by the end.” “ […] their artistic input and excitement shone through and, without us noticing, they turned us into their accomplices.” - Pi Media

"Bloody fantastic show honestly, best thing I’ve seen all year" "Not only was the energy fantastic throughout, but bloody hell can people sing" "The talent in Live Music is ridiculous." - Drama Queens on Rhapsody 2016/17

 

CAST INTERVIEWS

 

Rhapsody footage: Danté Kim. Interviews: Nick Mastrini. Editing: Nick Mastrini and Hannah Macpherson

 
 

Gallery

 

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Musical Directors

Musical Directors (or 'MDs') form an integral part of our show by being in charge of directing, rehearsing and shaping the performance of a song to be performed on stage in the show. They will work with their cast to bring the arrangements to life. Think you have what it takes to be responsible for your own number(s)?

Both large scale numbers and chamber group pieces are available, and we will support you along the way!

Applications are usually opened around the start of term 1 each year.

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Assistant Producers

We are currently on the lookout for Assistant Producers. Simply fill out this application form if you want to work with the main producers to help bring the show to stage. You will assist with creative and administrative aspects of the show and have a chance to put forward your own ideas to make the show even better!

Applications are usually opened around the start of term 1 each year.

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Performers

Rhapsody couldn't happen without an abundance of musicians from different musical backgrounds and genres. Whether you have never sung outside your shower or you are a regular on the gig circuit with your metal band, we would love you to audition for us.

Auditions usually take place early in term 1 each year. A wide variety of instruments and vocalists are usually required, and specific instrument lists will normally accompany the audition announcement.

Rhapsody 2022

Performed January 2022 at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

 
 

Lonely Boy - The Black Keys

Levitating x Don’t Start Now - Dua Lipa

Porcelain - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Revival - Gregory Porter

Start Again - original song by Zac Drinkel

Wrapped Around Your Finger - Sting

Unchained - James Brown, Tupac Shakur

Good As Hell - Lizzo / PostmodernJukebox

Led Zeppelin Medley

[interval]

Survival - Muse

Adele Medley

Lovely Day - Bill Withers

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac

I Put A Spell On You - Screamin' Jay Hawkins / Christone "Kingfish" Ingram

Wannabe - Spice Girls

Endgame - Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran and Future

Gimme Shelter - The Rolling Stones

Yacht Rock Medley - Journey, Tears for Years, TOTO

Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire (Curtain Call)

Rhapsody 2021

Recorded June 2021 at the Bloomsbury Theatre. First screened February 2022 at the Christopher Ingold Lecture Theatre.

 
 

Pressure - Muse

La Tortura - Shakira & Alejandro Sanz

Footloose - Kenny loggins

Beggin’ - Madcon

Dark Necessities - Red Hot Chili Peppers

Limit x Battlefield - Raining Jane x Feist

Billy Joel Medley

Stronger - Pomplamoose

Confident - Demi Lovato

Ain't It Fun - Paramore

24K Magic Medley - Bruno Mars

Fallin - Alicia keys

Gimme Gimme Gimme - ABBA

Sucker x Cake by the Ocean - Jonas Brothers / DNCE

Guns & Roses Medley

Instrumental Bass Medley

Rihanna Medley

Never Let Me Go - Florence and the Machine

Bat out of Hell - Meatloaf

RHAPSODY 2020

Performed January/February 2020 at the reopened Bloomsbury Theatre.

 
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Phoenix - Fall Out Boy

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

Disney Movie Medley (instrumental)

Pencil Full of Lead - Paolo Nutini (acapella)

Boyband Medley

Eyes, Nose, Lips - TAEYANG

Studio 54 : Disco Medley

Cazy in Love - Hannah Rue

Drops of Jupiter - Train

Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye

Madonna Medley

Problem/Focus - Ariana Grande

Goodbye Mr A - The Hoosiers

Underwater - an original number, by Maggie Chen

Michael Jackson Medley

My Name is Human - Highly Suspect

Sunrise - Norah Jones

Nina Cried Power - Hozier

When the Party’s Over - Billie Eilish

We Are Family - Sister Sledge (Curtain Call)

Rhapsody 2019

Performed January 2019 at the reopened Bloomsbury Theatre.

 
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Titanium - David Guetta

My Silver Lining - First Aid Kit

Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing - Stevie Wonder

Toxic - Britney Spears

David Bowie Medley

Drive - an acapella original

I’m Still Standing - Elton John

New Rules x Boyfriend - Dua Lipa/Justin Bieber

Madness - Muse

Stronger - Kelly Clarkson

Skies Over Fear - Eminem x Paolo Nutini

Iron - Woodkid

Black Sabbath Medley

Writing’s On The Wall - Sam Smith

The Final Countdown - Europe

Survivor Medley

A Change is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke

I Predict A Riot - Kaiser Chiefs

Take Me To Church - Hozier

Hurt x My Immortal - Johnny Cash/Evanescence

Queen Medley (Curtain Call)

Rhapsody 2018

Performed February 2018 at the Shaw Theatre.

 
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Dark Horse - Katy Perry

Heartless - Kanye West

Invaders Must Die - The Prodigy

Δ - alt-J

Arctic Monkeys Medley

Disturbia - Rihanna

Human - Rag’n’Bone Man

Simon & Garfunkel Medley

Hey Ya! - OutKast

Smile - Lily Allen

Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough Sax - Michael Jackson

Smooth Criminal - Michael Jackson

Lady Gaga Medley

Knights of Cydonia - Muse

Crazy - Gnarls Barkley

The Silence - (Depeche Mode x Mike Oldfield)

Leave Out All the Rest - Linkin Park

A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out - Panic! at the Disco

Black Horse and the Cherry Tree - KT Tunstall

Riptide - Vance Joy

Everyday Is A Winding Road - Sheryl Crow

Mika Medley

Grand Piano - Nicki Minaj

What About Us? - P!nk (Curtain Call)

Rhapsody 2017

Performed February 2017 at the Shaw Theatre.

 
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Radioactive - Imagine Dragons

Mad World - Tears For Fears

Seven Dreams - The White Stripes x Eurythmics

Someone Like You - Adele

Mercy x Warwick Avenue - Duffy

Pompeii - Bastille

Do Your Bills - Basement Jaxx x Lunchmoney Lewis

Keep The Car Running - Arcade Fire

Supermassive Black Hole - Muse

Tribute To Prince

Strawberry Jam - Guitar Battle

Shake It Off - Taylor Swift (Curtain Call)

 

Rhapsody 2016

Performed February 2016 at the Shaw Theatre.

 
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Propane Nightmares - Pendulum

Fireflies - Owl City

Thinkin' Bout You - Frank Ocean

Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

She Wolf - Sia

Wake Up - Arcade Fire

Guitar Battle

Little Talks - Of Monsters and Men

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John

Stevie Wonder Medley

Wolf at the Door - Radiohead

Bruno Gets Lucky - Bruno Mars x Daft Punk

 

Rhapsody

The very first iteration of Rhapsody, performed February 2014 at the Bloomsbury Theatre.

 
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Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap

Some Nights - Fun.

Uprising - Muse

James Bond Medley

Viva La Vida - Coldplay

Imagine - Elton John

Duelling Guitars

Hysteria - Muse

Dog Days Are Over - Florence and The Machine