A new sound emerged at Spring Arts 2026, as winter lingered over Franklin & Marshall’s campus, refusing to give way to spring. Instead of the summery feel that the College Entertainment Committee (CEC)—the student-led organization responsible for major campus events—has leaned toward in past years, this year a “rock vibe” took over. This shift made way for a new artist, unique to this campus: Friday Pilots Club, coming all the way from Chicago.
Spring Arts felt a little different this year, especially for upperclassmen who have experienced the event multiple times during their time at F&M. Still, it also brought back elements reminiscent of the college’s past—most notably, the relocation of the festival to Mayser Center in response to an unfortunate weather forecast. “Mayser Gym’s Not Dead,” proclaimed the CEC Instagram account that students refreshed throughout the weekend. Nevertheless, the change in venue did not deter the crowd. Dedicated Friday Pilots Club fans showed up, along with new listeners who were drawn in by the band’s easygoing presence, mysterious sound and early-2000s boy-band aesthetic.
While the set lasted about an hour—beginning around 4:30 p.m. and running slightly behind schedule—the band’s day started much earlier than the audience realized. After boarding a flight at 3 a.m., the group arrived ready to prepare for a performance filled with laughter, rock and emotionally charged songs.
The band opened with some of their most popular tracks, including songs from their 2024 album Nowhere, such as “We Don’t Wanna Talk” and “Vampire Disco.” They also revisited their earlier work with “End of It,” reflecting on their origins as a band. Throughout the set, they shifted seamlessly between moods, moving from slower, more emotional songs to heavier, high-energy moments that kept the crowd engaged. At one point, lead singer Caleb Hiltunen connected directly with a fan, expressing empathy for what the audience member was going through—creating one of the most emotional moments of the performance.
The band’s chemistry was unmistakable, and their enjoyment was infectious. They embodied the idea that doing what you love is best shared with the people you love. As bassist Drew Polovick joked during the interview, “we’re in love with each other.” For them, performing is about authenticity—being yourself on stage, having fun and creating music rooted in raw emotion, often written with nothing more than pen and paper.
The interview took place backstage during the meet-and-greet offered to event volunteers, in one of Mayser’s conference rooms lined with years of championship banners—something James Kourafas, the lead guitarist, was quick to point out. The band began by sharing their origins and how they came together at Columbia College Chicago. As bassist Drew Polovick explained, “Everyone had separate bands and different projects,” but many of them worked “catering together,” which led to opportunities to fill in for one another’s bands.
Ultimately, Drew and lead singer Caleb Hiltunen connected through songwriting. Caleb noted that Drew “was the first person I met that was good at production,” marking the beginning of their band.
When asked what advice they would give to college students hoping to start a band or grow as musicians, rhythm guitarist Sean Burke emphasized the importance of taking risks. He explained that a crucial part of songwriting and music production is to “put yourself out there… and strive to the best ability you can,” without fearing being too original—or even bad. He added that the “most beautiful thing about music” is “being able to create something new” from a range of sounds and influences, which naturally find their own path through different artists and inspirations. For Friday Pilots Club, those inspirations include bands like The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Slipknot and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The band also spoke about their connection with audiences, particularly on college campuses. They described how they enjoy engaging with listeners on an emotional level, which makes these performances especially meaningful—and even mentioned being open to the idea of a full college tour. Looking ahead, their upcoming North American tour with The Maine will be their largest yet, both in scale and audience size. Despite this growth, Drew emphasized that their sound and dynamic will remain the same: they will always be “those silly kids on stage,” enjoying what they do alongside their closest friends.
If you didn’t get a chance to see them perform at Spring Arts, it’s worth checking out their music on Spotify—or even catching them live on tour with The Maine, which runs from March through May across North America. As the members of Friday Pilots Club put it, don’t be afraid to “put yourself out there” and try something new—you might just be surprised.
Freshman Francesca Rayo is the Managing Editor. Her email is frayogue@fandm.edu.