Sacramento State’s homecoming is sure to be a banger with singer and songwriter Olivia O’Brien starting the weekend’s festivities with a concert on Thursday, Oct. 26.

The University Ballroom, in the University Union, will be decked in bright colored lights, a large glamorous stage and vibrant energy in preparation for the event. Tickets start at $23 for students and $30 for the general public.

O’Brien is an American artist famous for her songs “Josslyn” and “I hate you, I love you”. Her music has a pop and alternative R&B feel to it.

Many fans enjoy her work because she creates songs about learning self love, heart break and bad break-ups that everyone can relate to.

Julia Dariano, a fourth-year interior design major at Sac State, has been a fan of O’Brien since the beginning of 2016. She enjoys O’Brien’s musical style.

“She definitely has a variety,” Dariano said. “I became a fan when she came out with the song ‘I hate you, I love you’ and I resonated with it, so I got into her music.”

The thrilling event will be hosted by Sac State’s UNiQUE program. Esperanza Chavez, former social media and marketing assistant for UNiQUE, recommended her and UNiQUE reached out.

“It was a suggestion I had made because of the huge influence Olivia O’Brien has had on individuals and college students,” Chavez said. “I thought she’d be perfect to bring on campus.”

An important aspect of the UNiQUE program is student engagement and recommendations. Almost all the events and concerts hosted by this program are student recommended.

“That’s what we do, we listen to the students. We try to make it happen and as long as it’s something we can manage. We try to do it,” UNiQUE Program advisor Ajamu Lamumba said.

A homecoming concert as big as this will be an event students won’t want to miss. There are going to be lots of fun surprises and an opening act by the band The Color Wild will kick off the show, Chavez said.

The Color Wild is a pop group of four male members, who sing songs like, “Wild Things” and “Say it to my Face”.

They have previously played at Sac State for a UNiQUE Wednesday nooner event, but have not returned to campus since. 

Current UNiQUE student assistant James Martinez has seen this band before at Sac State. He holds fond memories of their performance.

“They give off vibes of pop and fun rock,” Martinez said. “When they came two years ago, they made a mosh pit with people coming up to the stage and the environment was really fun.”

Both acts will for sure get people singing and jumping to the beat as the night goes on. 

“We are only selling 1,500 tickets and with bigger artists, such as this, we aim for bigger crowds,” Martinez said. 

Students should be prepared to stand up on their feet throughout the night as there will not be seating provided. A venue as intimate as this is intended for getting close-up with the artist and the music. 

UNiQUE promises a night of memories as they prepare for the biggest concert of the year and start off the homecoming weekend just right. 

O’Brien uses an uplifting energy to relate to her audience. She is an amazing performer who unifies her fans through her own powerful lyrics. 

“I saw her live at the Sacramento Ace of Spades,” Chavez said. “She was really, really good and had lots of energy. She really knows how to draw in a crowd.”

The same energy can be expected for Thursday. So, you won’t want to miss an opportunity to gather your girlies and have a fun night out at 7:30 p.m. in the Sac State Union Ballroom.