The Portal HQ, a new event venue in Raleigh, held a benefit show on Friday that raised over $3,000 for Hurricane Helene victims in Western North Carolina. Performances by Satellite Dog, Bell Tower Blues and Zamloch were featured at the event.

Eight days after Helene made landfall, the venue on Hillsborough Street had a packed house of at least 250 concertgoers whose ticket purchases went towards emergency relief. Attendees donated further by purchasing merchandise or simply scanning one of the many QR codes posted around the venue.

Doors opened at 7 p.m. and the first act, Zamloch, energetically opened the show at 8:10 p.m. with a fiery set that included song covers such as “Murder on the Dancefloor” by Sophie Ellis-Bexter and original music. The band unexpectedly volunteered to play as they only found out two days before the show, according to Chandler Martin, the lead singer of the Raleigh-based band.

“We were in band rehearsal on Monday and our bass player’s family lives in Boone and he said, ‘We need to put on a benefit show,’” Martin said. “Then two days later, a dude from another band calls me and he said ‘We’re putting on a show at The Portal to help all the victims,’ and we replied, ‘We’re in. Let’s do this.’”

After Zamloch, Bell Tower Blues hit the stage and struck the crowd with their rockin’ blues, funk and soul music that hypnotized the crowd, opening with a mesmerizing Jimi Hendrix classic. The band’s lead vocalist, Sam Coury, beautifully belted their music, creating an impactful resonance in the atmosphere and showcasing their raw talent. 

Jake Berlin, a co-owner of The Portal HQ, recently graduated from NC State in May. He recounted organizing the show on short notice and wanting to support a good cause. 

“I got a call on Monday night from the organizers,” Berlin said. “The Portal didn’t have a show booked for Friday. They said, ‘Let’s have a show. Let’s raise funds for this good cause on Friday.’”

Berlin worked with the Bell Tower Blues and Satellite Dog previously, which made it easier to coordinate the event and have fun simultaneously. 

The headliner of the show, Satellite Dog, went on last and performed a medley of their music and extended the chill vibes in the crowd. Music brought a community together to acknowledge and rally behind all victims of Helene. This art discipline historically and contemporarily has numbed the pain and devastation many feel during times of destruction. The show served as a reminder and inspiration that anyone and everyone has the opportunity to support those affected by unfortunate events. 

“I hope they can see that art and creativity can bring people together and that even under the worst circumstances, something as simple as music can bring people together, getting the right stuff together,” Berlin said. “It can bring such a good change without having it to be a charity event that is sad and just people giving money, you can have something creative and incredible for a good cause.” 

For students impacted by Hurricane Helene, check out the support spaces available during October with on-site counselors.