'Loud' concerts raise money to fight cancer

“Be loud/ And move with grace/ Explode with light/ Have no fear.”

Sophie Steiner wrote this poem when she was 13 years old. A year later, she was diagnosed with germ-cell cancer and treated at UNC Hospitals until she was 15 years old.

During her treatment, she wanted to help other young cancer patients.

Shortly after her death in August of 2013, her family started The Be Loud! Sophie Foundation, which was dedicated to keeping her dream alive ­­— “to help young cancer patients stay true to their authentic selves in the face of overwhelming illness,” as stated on its website.

Sophie loved music, so Be Loud teamed up with Cat’s Cradle last year for its first benefit concert, which was sold out. The second annual show, ‘Be Loud! ’15,’ will take place Friday and Saturday.

Last year’s two-night show included a performance by the 1980s Chapel Hill band The Pressure Boys. Drummer Rob Ladd, who went to high school with Sophie’s father, Niklaus Steiner, said he was also friends with Sophie and immediately became involved with Be Loud.

“She was an amazing young person and I wanted to get involved in anything that would help,” Ladd said.

This year, Ladd helped put together a band for the Be Loud concert — called Preeesh!, consisting of members from The Pressure Boys and other longtime collaborators — that will play their first and only show on Saturday night.

“I thought, why don’t I put together this all-star band to play songs from the ‘80s we were listening to that were awesome back then,” he said. “I was sort of joking, but everyone took it seriously.”

Steiner said part of the show’s success relies on the spirit of 30 years worth of Chapel Hill talent.

“These are unbelievably talented musicians who are playing and taking this so seriously,” said Steiner, who is on the board of directors for Be Loud and is the director at the Center for Global Initiatives at UNC. “If you like music, you’ve gotta be at this event.”

Friday night’s show will feature Southern Culture on the Skids, John Howie Jr. & The Rosewood Bluff, the Neil Diamond All-Stars and the Chicken Wire Gang performing in Cat’s main and back rooms. On Saturday, Dillon Fence and The Veldt will be on the bill with Preeesh!.

Saturday afternoon features a family friendly range of matinee performances, including a flash chorus that Steiner said will perform “And She Was” by the Talking Heads – one of Sophie’s favorite songs.

Cat’s Cradle owner Frank Heath said ticket sales have been good so far, and they are hoping for two sold-out shows like last year.

“When somebody has a concern or problem, sometimes we hear about it and we like being involved trying to help or provide solutions,” Heath said of providing the space and some of the volunteers for the benefit.

“There’s a lot of donated time and value in any group effort like that, and we kind of feel like it pays itself back in good will.”

Steiner said everything Be Loud does aims to reflect Sophie’s spirit.

“People have suggested that we do a 5K run, which we will never do because Sophie hated to run,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say (this concert) is a great way to represent her.”

Because of that spirit of authenticity, Ladd said the feeling of playing at the show last year was almost indescribable.

“All the people, musicians, performers, volunteers – they’re all there for the same reason,” Ladd said. “They’re there to support, raise money, there for the foundation and to celebrate Sophie’s life. I had never seen anything like that before.”

@RIP_berniemac

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