As the leaves begin to turn and the air takes on a crisp edge, college towns across the country are gearing up for a season of live music and football festivities that promise to bring students, alumni, and locals together in celebration. Nowhere is that excitement more palpable than in Waco, Texas, where Baylor University is set to kick off not just its football showdown against Arizona State, but also a brand-new tradition: a free pre-game concert featuring the homegrown Graham St. Clair Band. Meanwhile, up north in State College, Pennsylvania, anticipation is building for a slate of major concerts at the Bryce Jordan Center, with students and staff buzzing about which artists might take the stage next.
On September 20, 2025, Baylor University will launch the Big 12 Conference Fall Tour with a bang, hosting a free concert by the Graham St. Clair Band at 4:30 p.m. on the Seat Geek Stage in Touchdown Alley, just outside McLane Stadium. According to The Baylor Lariat, this concert is more than just a warm-up act for the football game that follows; it’s a homecoming of sorts for the band, whose roots run deep within the Baylor community. Lead vocalist Graham St. Clair, originally from Lubbock, Texas, recalled how the band’s journey began almost by accident. “I didn’t know we were starting a band until it happened, and then we played our first show … and we had a ton of fun doing it,” St. Clair told The Baylor Lariat.
The band’s origin story is as charming as it is serendipitous. St. Clair was initially a solo act but was asked to open for another musician as a full band. That request prompted him to gather some musically talented friends, including Jackson Wright—his fraternity big brother who now plays lead guitar. What started as a one-off performance quickly snowballed into a full-fledged group, and the rest, as they say, is history. The lineup now features Jackson Cossey on drums and percussion, Raymond Spell on bass, Sean Douglas on rhythm electric guitar, and Stiles Clements on pedal steel guitar, with St. Clair leading the charge on vocals.
As the band’s popularity grew, they began booking gigs at local Texas bars like Freight and even landed a spot at the Tanglefoot Festival on September 12, 2025. Their musical output has kept pace with their busy schedule: their debut album, Roaming Home, marked their arrival on the Texas music scene, and their latest single, “Outlaw Bill,” dropped in April 2025. The group has also recorded a new EP, though its release date remains under wraps for now. “We were thrilled to get called on by Baylor,” St. Clair said, expressing his gratitude for the university’s support. “That’s a dream come true. It’s really exciting to feel supported by our school.”
For St. Clair, Saturday’s performance carries extra significance. Not only does it mark the start of a new Baylor tradition—live music at the tailgate—but it also coincides with a pivotal football game for his longtime friend, quarterback Sawyer Robertson. “He was one of my best friends my whole childhood,” St. Clair shared. “It’s really cool to get to come and play our conference opener during his last season with Baylor. I’ve been on the phone with him, and I think we’re both pretty pumped about it, so I’m glad to be able to be there and be a part of the atmosphere.”
The concert will wrap up just in time for fans to head into McLane Stadium for the Baylor-Arizona State matchup, which kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the game are available through the Baylor Athletics Ticket Office, making it a full day of entertainment for students, alumni, and visitors alike. “I’m just so excited that they’re starting to do it now … hopefully there is a future in that,” St. Clair said, voicing his hope that live music at Baylor tailgates becomes a lasting tradition.
While Waco is turning up the volume on its game day festivities, State College is no stranger to big-name concerts and campus excitement. The Bryce Jordan Center, a mainstay of Penn State’s entertainment scene, is preparing for a busy 2025 with a lineup that already includes Jason Aldean’s “Full Throttle Tour,” along with previously announced shows from Parker McCollum and Riley Green, according to Onward State. But it’s not just the scheduled acts that have people talking; staff and students alike are eagerly speculating about which artists might grace the arena next.
Some wish-list picks reflect the diverse musical tastes found on campus. Sylvia Prebor, for instance, is hoping for a visit from Noah Kahan, especially with a new album and tour on the horizon. “If he ends up performing at the BJC, I would 100% fly back just for the concert,” she said. Olivia Hess is confident that Tate McRae, already set to perform in Pittsburgh in October 2025, could easily sell out the Bryce Jordan Center. “Penn State students align with McRae’s key demographic and would show up for an artist like her, especially because of her rising popularity,” Hess noted.
Country fans haven’t been left out of the conversation either. Michael Siroty is holding out hope for Jon Pardi, declaring, “Ain’t no party like a Pardi party.” Meanwhile, Sarah Nasif wants to see a return to hip-hop at the BJC, suggesting Don Toliver as the perfect candidate to shake up the venue’s recent country-heavy bookings. “If they do, why not do it with one of my personal favorites, Don Toliver? Not only is his sound and variety of content impeccable, but he has also released several songs and even an album in recent years that have gone viral,” Nasif argued.
Other staffers have their sights set on acts ranging from the Jonas Brothers—currently on tour and a proven crowd-pleaser in State College—to indie darlings The Lumineers, whose singalong anthems and festival vibes seem tailor-made for a packed arena. Kaytranada, with his global following and genre-blending beats, also made the wish list, as did Sam Barber, whose recent album and tour have only increased his local fan base. And for those dreaming big, Oscar Orellana is still holding out hope for a reunion show by Title Fight, a Pennsylvania hardcore staple.
With such a variety of musical tastes and a packed calendar of events, both Baylor University and Penn State are demonstrating how college campuses can serve as cultural hubs, bringing together sports, music, and community spirit in equal measure. Whether it’s the intimate thrill of a local band playing before a big game or the electric anticipation of a superstar act at a major arena, these experiences create memories that last long after the final note fades or the last touchdown is scored.
As September marches on, one thing is clear: for students and music lovers in Waco and State College alike, the soundtrack to fall 2025 is shaping up to be unforgettable.