About 100 people attended KZUU’s first official house show Saturday.

The event was alcohol- and drug-free but had a party atmosphere, as many KZUU members are close friends, and the intimate space brought the crowd and band literally closer together.

Headliner North Paw included bass, guitar, drums and a saxophone. The band was made up of students in the WSU School of Music. The final act, rapper Matthew Donald, stage name NUU WAVE, joined members of North Paw and an additional trombone player for funky R&B and alternative rock inspired songs.

Kari Jakobsen, co-general manager for KZUU and a senior journalism and multimedia production major, emceed the house show.

“I think the more diverse you get, the more diverse your group of people will be, it’ll bring out a larger audience,” Jakobsen said. “But everyone can relate on the fact that they love music.”

The night opened with a folk singer named Seiji Furukawa. His acoustic sound slowly built energy in the room.

Jiwoon Choi, a member of the next performer, rap group ABF Worldwide, said these kinds of events inspire his own music.

“It’s a platform to practice, and on top of that, link up with other artists so they can get a better understanding of where they’re at,” he said.

It was the first time ABF ever performed. Choi said he felt good about the performance, but it would have gone better if all three of their band members were in attendance. He was concerned about the size of the venue and didn’t know what kind of turnout to expect, but he felt really good about the crowd.

North Paw followed ABF. Their performance included several inspired covers of songs from Jackson 5 to CeeLo Green’s “F-ck You.” The crowd seemed to instantly connect. The first song, “I Want You Back,” did not include vocals from the band, but the crowd was singing loud enough to make the lyrics clear.

For NUU WAVE’s performance, people spread out to dance while some stood on couches and window seats to get a better view. Organizers decorated the performance with smoke machines, lights and a projector showing a documentary about aliens that lit up the performers and the wall behind them.

“Do you see that?” NUU WAVE said about some Christian imagery in the documentary showing behind him.

Band members led a call and response “ay oh” through the ending of one song. When instruments dropped out, the crowd continued the chant.

As an organization, KZUU exclusively plays music by lesser-known artists to expose people to underground music and give new artists a chance. Jakobsen said that KZUU played Halsey’s music before she was the celebrity she is today. She hopes artists at events like these get the attention they deserve.