Music is never far from earshot at Vanderbilt, whether it’s drifting across Rand Wall or blasting out of a dorm window. Once a year, that energy gathers in one place: Lights on the Lawn. The student-led concert is more than a lineup of artists; it’s a campus tradition that blends music, community and philanthropy into one night under the stars. For one night, the stress of exams fades, replaced by flashing lights, a strong bass and a shared sense of purpose.  

For Sully Watts, president of LOTL, the annual concerts extend beyond the music they play. The event champions community, education and carrying forward a mission that began more than a decade ago.  

“Thirteen years ago, two members of ADPi had a close friend who was injured in a boating accident,” Watts said. “He suffered spinal cord damage, and the medical bills were overwhelming.”  

In response, the Vanderbilt community organized a benefit concert, directing all proceeds to spinal cord research at Vanderbilt Medical Center. 

This spirit of rallying around a cause has remained central to LOTL, even as its mission has evolved. In 2017, the organization began supporting the Mary Parrish Center, an organization that provides housing and support for survivors of domestic violence. Now, LOTL serves a dual purpose: raising awareness about domestic violence while offering Vanderbilt students and the wider Nashville community a chance to come together through music.  

“When we table on campus, we ask students how they would define domestic violence,” Watts said. “It can present itself in so many ways. We want people to think about that while also knowing their attendance is going toward a good cause.”  

As we walked onto Alumni Lawn, the energy emanating from the event was impossible to miss. The lawn felt transformed with neon lights overhead, a stage shining with color. Students who might never cross paths during the week were suddenly shoulder to shoulder, jumping to the same beat. For one night, the usual campus divisions — majors, dorms and organizations — blurred into a mass of excitement.  

LOTL taps directly into Nashville’s heart as Music City. Behind the scenes, Vanderbilt students are the ones running the show: negotiating contracts, handling logistics and marketing the event just like industry professionals. For them, the concerts double as a crash course in the music business. For the audience, it becomes a rare space where campus and the Nashville community overlap.  

This year’s show carries special weight for the organization. After last year’s cancellations of both LOTL and Rites of Spring, many underclassmen have never experienced an on-campus concert.  

“For freshmen and sophomores, this is their first time,” Watts said. “We’re excited to give them the experience they’ve been missing out on.”  

The lineup itself points toward rising talent. Watts has dubbed Headliner TWINSICK as “the new Chainsmokers,” while XANDRA marks a milestone as LOTL’s first female support act.  

“When we book artists, we try to find people on the rise who haven’t been fully recognized yet,” Watts said. “In two or three years, these are the people you’re going to want to see.” 

The process of securing such electrifying headliners was no easy feat. The LOTL executive board first met during the spring semester, almost seven months ago.  

“We start by pooling names and ideas, listening to music together and scouting who is right on the cusp of stardom,” Watts said.  

This process involves carefully examining who is trending on social media, among Vanderbilt students and on the rising charts. This year, TWINSICK and XANDRA were chosen due to their undeniable social media presence and immense talent. 

TWINSICK and XANDRA feature styles of EDM and progressive house music, bringing a fresh and energetic vibe to Vanderbilt students. A standout element of their sounds is the seamless blend of upbeat melodies with infectious drops, making it easy for pop music fans to connect with EDM. Students heard mashups of viral TikTok songs and artists, from slower tracks like “Sailor Song” to iconic EDM anthems, creating a dynamic and familiar vibe that kept the energy high and the crowd dancing. 

However, the true success of LOTL isn’t measured in ticket sales or headliner names; it’s about what people take away when they leave the lawn.  

“I hope attendees walk away knowing they’ve supported a good cause, that they’ve learned something and that they’ve been part of a community coming together,” Watts said.  

Looking ahead, Watts envisions expanding the event beyond Vanderbilt to include students from other Nashville universities like Belmont and Trevecca. 

“We want Lights on the Lawn to continue to be Nashville’s biggest philanthropy concert,” Watts said. “It’s about keeping the mission alive and connecting the community in bigger ways every year.” 

By the end of the evening, our feet were sore, our voices hoarse and our camera rolls full. More than anything, we left with a sense of connection. Walking back across campus, we realized that for all the hype and flashing lights, the real impact of LOTL was quieter: a shared belief that students can make a difference, one song at a time.