Rowan has a multitude of student-run media outlets. One of those is Rowan Television Network, a TV network dedicated to highlighting multiple areas of what goes on at the University such as news, sports, and its very own comedy sketch show. 

In the spring semester of 2024, student Chiemeka Chukwueke, now producer of “RU Listening,” came up with the idea for a studio show where bands could be featured for select Rowan students to be chosen for a small studio audience who are able to watch the performance live in the studio. This show has been running ever since, with the crew consistently growing as the show does.

“I pitched this idea to Adam [Reim] and the whole [RTN] E-board really liked it,” said Chukwueke.

The show has had a variety of bands featured in the episodes, a few of which are made up of Rowan students. The band featured in last week’s episode was Swansun, a band made up of Rowan students as well as a Rowan alumnus. They performed a set of their original songs, putting on an amazing show for the students in the audience and those who were watching on the television network.

“We’re flying in blind …We’re expecting to do what we always do, which is make good music together. Everyone has been really kind and very helpful,” said Swansun’s guitar player, Alan DeCucco.

The first performance featured on “RU Listening” was the band Spud Mack in the spring of 2024. This was their eighth episode, and they had a crowd of around 15 people. In order to be involved in the crowd, you have to join the show’s mailing list, as it is an invite-only event. 

Following Swanson’s performance, the crew of the show shared that it is clear that a lot of effort and work were put into the creation of this show, as well as every taping that came after that. Their crew has grown from just Chukwueke, who started it, to about eight people. Their current crew is led by Adam Reim and Chukwueke, who are the show’s producers as well as the ones who got the show off the ground.

“We’re trying to get anything that you can think of, music-related, especially Glassboro-based,” said Reim. 

Their endgame is to get a show going every week. They want to grow their in-person audience presence as well as their online presence on the television network. This show is a great way to grow the music scene at Rowan and allow students the opportunity to experience live music. It was a great idea and really brought a new aspect of entertainment to Rowan students.

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