A 90s-era couch, three student bands and a push to bring students back into campus life will come together at WSU’s Couch Concert, a free live music event set for April 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. on the Glenn Terrell Mall outside Todd Hall.

Hosted by KUGR Radio, the student-run concert will feature performances from Opaline, Stumped and Hermano Kuya, offering students an open-air, low-pressure music experience designed to make live performance more accessible and social during a busy point in the semester.

Organizers say the event is meant to stand out from typical campus programming by prioritizing community, spontaneity and student creativity rather than formality or production scale.

Shalem Blum, KUGR Radio’s events coordinator and junior public relations major, said the concert is intentionally designed to feel approachable for students who might not normally attend live music events.

“We have a couch from, like, the 90s that we throw out on the mall,” Blum said. “It’s completely free, super community feel.”

Blum said that accessibility is a key reason students should show up.

Unlike ticketed concerts or off-campus events, Couch Concert is built directly into the center of campus life, making it easy for students to stop by between classes, meet friends or stay for the full lineup without pressure or cost.

The event has also grown significantly since its first year, especially in student participation from musicians. Blum said submissions for performing artists more than doubled.

“We had 11 submissions this year compared to like four last year, so a lot more interest from the band side,” Blum said.

That growth has allowed organizers to expand from a smaller acoustic-style showcase into a fuller live-band lineup, creating a more energetic and dynamic atmosphere intended to draw larger crowds.

The concept centers around a literal couch placed on the Glenn Terrell Mall, turning a familiar campus walkway into a temporary outdoor music venue. Organizers say that the informal setup is part of what makes the event unique.

While the final performance schedule is still being finalized due to student conflicts, organizers expect to announce set times within days.

Planning began in February as KUGR worked with student musicians and campus offices to coordinate logistics and promotion.

Blum said the goal is not only entertainment, but also strengthening student connections on campus at a time when many students feel disconnected from campus programming.

“We’re really hoping to get people out on campus and engage in the community and kind of kick back before finals,” Blum said.

Promotion efforts have included posters across campus, digital screens in student buildings such as the Chinook Student Center and Compton Union Building, outreach to student organizations and social media campaigns.

“It’s more about where we aren’t putting it,” Blum said.

Beyond exposure for student musicians, Blum said the event offers a rare opportunity for students to experience peers performing in a live setting in the middle of campus life.

“We’re in admiration of each other,” Blum said. “There’s a mutual respect because we’re seeing them in their element…and they’re also seeing us provide that stage for them.”

That sense of shared space, Blum said, is part of what makes the Couch Concert worth attending — even for students who might not consider themselves music fans.

As the event grows, organizers hope it continues building momentum as a recurring campus tradition that highlights student creativity and strengthens connections across campus communities.

“Even if it makes 10 people happy, it’s worth it,” Blum said. “The budget is nothing… we’re really just doing it to do it.”

Blum said future iterations are already being considered, with plans to continue the Couch Concert next fall and spring depending on logistics.

For now, organizers are focused on creating an accessible, high-energy campus experience designed to pull students outside, slow down and engage with live music in the middle of campus life.

“Being in a crowd of music with other people is a really good feeling,” Blum said. “That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”