Dancing, performing and ASU pride come together during InfernoFest: the University's school-wide freshman orientation. At the end of the event, Sun Devils gather for a free, private performance from a popular artist, often the main highlight of the evening.
ASU has been able to get some fairly big names to headline the night. In the past four years, FERG (formerly known as A$AP Ferg), Flo Milli and bbno$ have had their turn on the stage, with Big Sean being the most recent to perform at Mountain America Stadium.
READ MORE: Big Sean kicks off the semester with a burning performance at ASU's InfernoFest
Recently, the artists who have performed at InfernoFest have all fallen under the rap and hip-hop umbrella. What differentiates these artists, however, are the micro-genres that define their music. While FERG performs hardcore hip-hop, Flo Milli opts for a more southern edge.
Although the more recent artists performed under similar genres, there is one representation issue that students have noticed.
Out of the past 10 InfernoFests, only three of the headliners have been people of color, and students were excited to see more racial diversity on the main stage this year.
Symphanee Brinson, a freshman studying political science, was looking forward to seeing more representation on stage.
"I'm just not a huge fan (of Big Sean)," Brinson said. "But, I was excited that someone who was a well-known Black artist was performing."
Brinson is a fan of the rap and hip-hop genres and wants to see more artists in that sphere headline InfernoFest.
"I like the energy," Brinson said. "I like that it can be enjoyed by a lot of demographics."
Many college students enjoy rap music, and InfernoFest has catered to the more popular tastes of the student body.
The uptick in rap-adjacent artists started in 2021, with that year hosting Jack Harlow as the night's performer. However, in 2022, alternative-rock and indie band Wallows took center stage.
Although hip-hop is gaining traction in headliner selection, some students do want to see more variation in the genres represented.
READ MORE: Rocking out at ASU: A peek into the Sun Devil music scene
Claire Bingham, a freshman studying theatre, would like to see artists that don't cater to the popular demographics.
"It'd be cool if they brought out an indie artist," Bingham said.
However, Bingham said she understands why ASU has chosen these past artists.
"They want to hype everyone up," Bingham said. "The best way to hype everyone up is a really high-energy performer."
ASU has had its fair share of indie-adjacent bands headline the event in the past, with Foster The People and Neon Trees performing in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Now, the organizers behind the event have been finding artists that match not only what students today are listening to, but also artists that match ASU's character.
With ASU's infamous party school reputation, it would make sense that the University wants to welcome its incoming students with artists that match the school's energy.
READ MORE: Party school no more? Students weigh in on ASU's status in 2025
Veer Magiyawala, a senior studying biomedical science, said ASU should continue seeking out more popular artists, as it helps students learn more about ASU's campus culture.
"It's such a great opportunity and experience, especially for younger students, to immerse themselves here on campus," Magiyawala said in a written statement.
While the event is mainly catered to introducing incoming students to the ASU experience, InfernoFest's doors are open to all Sun Devils. The event brings together students from every stage of college life and unites them with one performance.
This acaedemic year was ASU's biggest year for student enrollment, with over 200,000 students enrolled. With numbers as high as that, an artist with popular appeal looked like the clear choice.
"A lot of people seemed to enjoy it," Bingham said. "I liked it; I thought it was fun."
Edited by Sam Troester, Alan Deutschendorf and Sophia Keeling.
Reach the reporter at amahearn@asu.edu and follow @abiahearn on X.
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