Their first to sell out show in years, the Student Entertainment Board (SEB) hosts Marshmello, the mysterious EDM DJ with the all-white clothes and cylindrical helmet with Xs for eyes, later this week.

The SEB concerts programmer and junior economics major Julian Khalifa looks into up-and-coming artists for SEB concerts and in July of this year, Khalifa booked Marshmello, one of the biggest new artists in EDM, for WSU.

“I love the concert atmosphere, and I was worried that when I came to school it would be four years with no concerts,” Khalifa said. “So my goal when I was hired as concerts programmer was to really bring that exciting element, those really big names to campus.”

By tracking listening trends and other macro data on Spotify, Khalifa could tell that Marshmello was going to be the next big thing.

Shortly after Khalifa booked him, Marshmello started gaining popularity in the EDM music scene, which makes the experience even more exciting for everyone in SEB and for the students attending.

Natasha Baron, SEB director and a senior communication major will be assisting Khalifa the day of the event to make sure the day runs smoothly and according to plan, but every programmer in SEB knows each event well.

“We don’t make events mandatory for executive staff, but they’re highly encouraged,” Baron said.

Baron calls the week before the event the “calm before the storm.” Everyone in SEB is ready to help out, she said.

Marshmello sold out in about five hours, Khalifa said. The tickets were sold at the Cougar Card Center in the CUB. Two hours before opening at 8 a.m., the line for tickets stretched across the first floor, up the stairs near the library and ended at the food court. Luckily, everyone in line that day was able to buy a ticket, and no one was turned away, he said.

Callie Coleman, the SEB special events programmer and a senior strategic communication major, knows how concerts are planned through her experience with Springfest and is very excited to see the thriving reception Marshmello is receiving.

“(Marshmello) just recently tweeted about us, which is awesome because sometimes artists don’t even acknowledge us,” Coleman said. “He’s excited to come, and we’re excited to see him.”

Marshmello has recently played big festivals like Lollapalooza and Bumbershoot as well as multiple EDM festivals, such as EDC Las Vegas and Tomorrowland. He is currently touring Asia and will soon embark on a world tour, Khalifa said.

“I hope the students enjoy that experience as something new to Pullman,” Khalifa said, “because you’re never going to see Pullman on a world tour stop.”

Student input helps immensely with choosing the performers for SEB, Khalifa said. Right now there is an online survey that benefits multiple programs in SEB.

Marshmello performs at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the CUB Senior Ballroom. A student DJ duo will open for Marshmello. Tickets are sold out.