The winter quarter concert will feature Rocco, Sarah Kinsley, a pre-show art gallery and more
By MIRIAM RAMAKRISHNAN — arts@theaggie.org
In the midst of classes, midterms and the never-ending tule fog, the music scene at UC Davis doesn’t stop kicking.
Brainfreeze, the annual winter concert hosted by ASUCD’s Entertainment Council (EC), is set to return at the Mondavi Center on Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Previous headliners have included Raveena, No Vacation and Luna Li — indie artists that captured the hearts of hundreds of UC Davis students over the past three years.
Bowen Song, a second-year computer science and cinema and digital media double major, attended Brainfreeze 2025 with headliner Luna Li at the Vanderhoef Studio Theater.
“It was an experience being able to watch a multi-instrumentalist within the ambience of a slightly more informal venue,” Song said. “This, combined with the vibe of [Li’s] music, created an unforgettable event. I’m so excited to see how the intimacy will transfer into a bigger venue.”
This year, Brainfreeze’s has expanded to feature three performers: Rocco, Sarah Kinsley and thebandfriday. Continuing the trend of spotlighting rising artists, this lineup blends dreamy bedroom pop with art-house energy.
EC Unit Director Eddie Kim, a fourth-year human biology major, shed light on the process of choosing artists for Brainfreeze 2026.
“[EC] looks closely at music trends, past event turnouts and most importantly, our student feedback forms,” Kim said. “Our goal is always to book artists who match the event vibe, while connecting to the UC Davis community as closely as possible.”
Kim also offered a view into the work EC put into the event behind the scenes.
“Once an artist is confirmed, there is a heavy logistics phase that includes advancing production, hospitality, backline needs and coordinating schedules with the venue, production teams and artist management,” Kim said. “Most attendees only see the final performance, but there are months of coordination and planning that go into making the night better for all attendees.”
Stylistically, Kim and the EC aim to organize events that align with the musical tastes of as many UC Davis students as possible. While EC’s annual Sunset Fest event highlights more R&B and rap artists, Brainfreeze characteristically showcases a more mellow and experimental sound.
“We felt that thebandfriday’s indie pop energy, Sarah Kinsley’s atmospheric and emotionally driven sound and Rocco’s crowd-engaging style can give students a mix of familiarity and discovery,” Kim said.
Kinsley, a music theory graduate from Columbia University, initially broke into the music mainstream through her alternative-pop track “The King,” which went viral on TikTok in 2021. Her classical training is evident in her layered arrangements, which balance a variety of different elements with intimate pop sensibilities.
Rocco, a musician from New Jersey, borrows energy from household indie names such as Rex Orange County and Clairo. He thrives on introspective lyrics and quiet grooves, creating a sound that is both familiar and distinctive.
Originating from Malibu, the duo behind thebandfriday met in kindergarten and grew up together to create music that spans several genres. Their long-standing, creative partnership shines through in their music, evident in their seamless blending of instruments and vocals that produces a rare, authentic chemistry.
Unique to this year’s Brainfreeze is the pre-show art gallery — created in partnership with The Basement Gallery, the Mondavi Center’s second floor will become an exhibition space featuring the work of UC Davis student artists.
Paige Sin, a first-year biological sciences major, shared her anticipation after purchasing tickets — priced at $12 for orchestra seating and $8 for all other sections.
“I love that we, as a school, are able to host performers in a space right on campus,” Sin said. “With how expensive concert tickets can get, I’m grateful that I’m able to see talented rising artists here at a reasonable price.”
Brainfreeze will take place on Feb. 6, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and performances beginning at 6:30 p.m. Opened on Jan. 20, a limited number of tickets are currently still available on EC’s website, along with frequently asked questions and more information regarding the venue.
Written by: Miriam Ramakrishnan — arts@theaggie.org
