Pick-Staiger Concert Hall was packed Thursday night to watch a Northwestern alumnus shake his way through a series of indie-rock numbers.

Cary Brothers, Weinberg ’95, returned for his 15th year reunion and a concert in conjunction with Homecoming weekend. Mori Einsidler, a Communication sophomore – who goes by the stage name MORI – opened the concert after winning a vote sponsored by A&O Productions.

Before he performed, Brothers commented on how much has changed since he graduated from NU.

“You can’t smoke in here anymore, so it’s not as cool as back in the day, ” Brothers said.

Brothers, who was involved in a variety of groups such as theater, A&O and his college band, said he still keeps in contact with many of the friends he made during his time at NU.

Both students and alumni who attended the concert were excited to see Brothers, who was making his first trip back to campus as an alumnus.

“I’m twirling my hair with anticipation,” Weinberg freshman Kelleigh Whelansaid.

Some of Brothers’s former classmates made the trip back as well.

“I thought it was great,” said Adam Hiebeler, Communication ’96. “I haven’t seen him in years. I was very impressed by it.”

Throughout the concert, Brothers continued to share his stories from his time at NU.

“We had a bar instead of Sbarro in Norris,” Brothers said.

The concert, which provided both entertainment and a social opportunity for alumni and undergraduate students, sold 430 student tickets.

Brothers’s career began with his connection to another Northwestern alumnus, Zach Braff, Communication ’97.

“I don’t remember a lot of things I learned here, but I met my friends,” Brothers said, before he performed his song “Blue Eyes,” which was featured in Braff’s film, “Garden State.”

Stefanie Goliszewski, Communication senior and co-director of promotions and public relations for A&O, explained that Brothers’s visit is meaningful to students and alumni.

“There’s a success story, right there,” she said.

As he left Evanston to prepare for his upcoming tour with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, Brothers said despite his long absence, he still felt a connection to the school.

“Every time I walked through that door, it felt like home,” he said

Brothers will be back in Chicago for his show at House of Blues on Nov. 3.

[email protected], contributing writer