Fall semester kicked off Saturday with the Wahoo Welcome Concert at John Paul Jones Arena, featuring a vivacious performance from indie-pop artist Malcolm Todd, supported by student band Wildcard and Nabil Khan, DJ and fourth-year College student. Todd’s performance drew a large crowd across all years, creating an opportunity for old friends to reconnect and new friends to meet. While only 22, Todd has rapidly shot to stardom with over 35 million monthly listeners and a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards. Close in age to some student concertgoers, Todd was able to connect with the audience through interactive chants and by proudly sporting a Virginia basketball jersey.
The University Programs Council organized the concert, coordinating with Todd, the openers and University employees in order to provide a safe and fun night for all students who attended. UPC also handled the marketing of the concert, as well as on-site initiatives at JPJ such as distributing LED wristbands that synced with the show and paper glasses that made the stage lights appear as hearts. UPC’s hard work was commemorated during the event with a short parade of its leadership team, where they tossed T-shirts and plushies of the tiger from Todd’s “Breathe” single cover into the crowd.
There was significant buzz around Grounds, demonstrated by students who began queuing outside of JPJ nearly ten hours before doors opened at 6 p.m. The first three students in line won a meet and greet with Todd, as well as premier spots at the barricade in front of the stage. Siena Stevens, meet-and-greet winner and second-year College student, arrived at 8 a.m. and discussed her queue time among her friends.
“It was great in the beginning. We talked for like four hours, and then it got really brutal,” Stevens said. “It was really hot, and we were struggling a bit.”
Despite the arduous wait, all of the meet-and-greet winners were in exceptionally high spirits as they approached the stage where Todd would later perform. Maximo Duffee, winner of a separate meet and greet through UPC’s Instagram competition and first-year College student, expressed excitement about his opportunity to meet one of his favorite singers.
“It was honestly really awesome. It [was] exactly how I expected,” Duffee said. “He's super playful, and he's a very cheerful guy.”
At 6 p.m. the doors opened for the crowd outside JPJ. Students took the arena by storm, running across the floor in order to secure an ideal spot. As students entered, DJ Nabil Khan performed an open-format set primarily consisting of party anthems in order to get the crowd energized for Wildcard and Todd.
Khan had been DJing and posting clips on TikTok for around a year when UPC asked him to perform at the Wahoo Welcome Concert. He remarked that the first concert he ever attended was the 2024 Wahoo Welcome Concert headlined by Swae Lee, and reflected on the value of the event for first-years arriving to the University for the first time.
“I feel like it's a great icebreaker, especially for the first-years coming to Grounds. It just sets the tone for a really, really fun year,” Khan said.
After Khan’s performance, student band Wildcard took the stage to play an upbeat set of covers and continue to invigorate the audience before the headlining performance. Charlie Murphy, Wildcard keyboardist and fourth-year College student, commented on the tight schedule to practice new and old material, as the members of the band had only moved back to Charlottesville a few days before the Wahoo Welcome Concert.
“We are very boy band,” Murphy said. “[We practiced] in my parents basement and [pushed] the limits of their hospitality a bit in preparation for this concert.”
Wildcard filled the large venue with their cohesive sound and diverse setlist — a nod to their name — with a few nicher choices, including a song from Charlottesville band Edgehill, in addition to the usual University band classics. Wildcard added a few slower songs to their setlist to match Todd’s ensuing energy, but their grand finale consisted of an unexpected rock cover of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” Adam Kester, Wildcard bassist and second-year Architecture student, showed appreciation for the opportunity to perform at such a foundational show of University music culture.
“All the first-years that come to the concert, this is one of their first experiences of college, and we get to be the ones to show them what music at U.Va. can look like,” Kester said. “When I came here as a first-year, [I remember] just seeing the band Last Call, and being like ‘Shoot, like I could do that one day.’ Here we are. I'm stoked.”
After Wildcard exited and UPC leadership finished their parade and giveaways, the crowd was awash with anticipation and positive energy. Groups of first-years sat towards the back of the floor, comparing dorms and first days, while others joined in on big games of “Heads Up” and conversations with the people surrounding them.
JPJ’s upper level was closed due to a capital improvement project, according to UPC’s event organizers. Thus, droves of students occupied the space in the lower bowl and near the stage.
The crowd erupted in cheers when the lights dimmed and Todd entered the stage just before 8:20 p.m., opening the show with “Jean Skirt” and “Breathe.” When Todd spoke for the first time, he was only able to get out “Yo Cavaliers!” before the crowd exploded with applause and hollering once again. Todd played songs from across his discography, drawing special appreciation from the audience for hits such as “Earrings,” “Sweet Boy” and “Malcolm In The Middle,” as well as a cover of the iCarly theme song. The packed arena brought an incredible energy to his performance, which was already very upbeat despite the slower nature of some of his music.
Todd expressed continuous enthusiasm for Charlottesville and the University, mentioning meeting cool people in town as well as referring to the University as the “coolest student body yet.” He led playful call and response chants with the audience and at one point, changed into a Virginia basketball jersey. Todd’s Tour Director Hoppie Newton discussed how Todd is now the age of soon-to-be college graduates, and said he feels like these shows give Todd the opportunity to connect with his peers instead of solely older industry colleagues. He also mentioned some of Todd’s preshow habits, showing some of his personality outside of performing.
“We usually have them open up the basketball court, like you all did for him today. He loves shooting hoops, so he can just go in there and hoop around with the boys,” Newton said. “I think compared to the touring stuff we do, which is quite intense and rigorous, this is like fun, to come hang out with the boys, shoot some ball and walk around the town.”
The Wahoo Welcome Concert was a good-spirited kickoff to the fall semester, where students were able to connect as fans of Malcolm Todd, classmates, hallmates and “Roommates,” as Todd would say. The animated enthusiasm of the performances from Khan, Wildcard and Todd, as well as the passionate crowd, generated an exciting atmosphere at the concert and a memorable experience for the students present.
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