There could be no mistaking what was going on— Core banners greeted those who came in at nearly every entrance as music streamed through the building from Trayes Hall. Lights, balloons, and streamers led to the main event, the lobby of the student center livelier than ever as vendors chatted with concertgoers and selfies were snapped in front of our photo wall.

Inside the venue, more vendors selliing a wide variety of goods ranging from jewelery, original art prints, and thrifted clothes lined the walls, along with the artists' and our own merch booths full of t-shirts, stickers, and tote bags! As people stopped from booth to booth, our performers set up in preparation for their sets.

First up was Zorp, a punk band from Stanhope, New Jersey consisting of Andrew Nufrio on guitar and vocals, Sam Van Heest on drums, and Savannah Severino on bass! They were electric and their performance was high energy, getting the crowd to mosh and dance with colorful retro video game graphics playing behind them. They began their set with 'Pulling Teeth,' along with songs like 'Bad Number,' 'Criss Cross,' 'Beer Goggles,' 'My Buddy Melvin,' and some new tracks from an upcoming record.

Next on our lineup was MISTRÖTT, a Brooklyn-based heavy metal band who rocked the hall with their crackling, buzzing reverb and vocalist Musa's guttural vocals that filled every corner of the room. Their performance featured Vic on bass, Ben on drums, Eyram on guitar, and Adam on guitar. The moshing quickly started back up around the center stage as they performed songs from their recent album like 'Back Up!,' '...It's Just Business,' and 'Retribution.' To close off their set, they surprised the crowd with a crazy rendition of Miley Cyrus' 'Party in the U.S.A'!

Her New Knife, a shoegaze/alternative indie band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, shifted the energy in the room with their drawn out and ephemeral sound. Their mesmerizing performance had heads bobbing along and bodies swaying, and featured Edgar Atencio on guitar and as their vocalist, Carolina Schooley on bass, Ben Kachler on guitar, and Elijah Ford on drums.

To end the night, NYC-based MGNA Crrrta lit up the stage with their infectious energy and electropop sound. Hands reached out and people jumped with reckless abandon to their sharp, pulsing synth beats as the room was flashed with blinding white lights that turned into pitch darkness from one second to the next. The duo (made up of Farheen Khan and Ginger Scott) performed songs like 'Angel Music,' 'Ur City Back 2 Life,' and 'Girl Party,' as they strut up and down the catwalk from their mixing board to the end of the stage. Midway through they came out with a bubble gun, spraying hundreds of bubbles into the crowd, which made for some intense visuals. The crowd loved it!

Corefest only gets bigger and better from one year to the next. With such captivating acts and creative vendors, we can't wait to be back in 2026! Here are some pictures of the event taken by DJs Anushka, Tomi, and Elliot. Check out our Instagram @thecorefm to see more shots taken throughout the night.