“Extra Extra read all about it” Seton Hall students were in their feels and sang loudly about it.
Malcolm Todd performed at the Student Activities Board (SAB) 2026 Onward spring concert on Tuesday, leaving the crowd so energized that it felt like they could hardly “Breathe.” The concert was held in the Richie Reagan Athletic Center. Doors opened at 7 p.m., and the opening act came on at 8 p.m. The event was organized by SAB Live Events Coordinators Mabel “KK” Madu and Kelly Bossert.
“We are excited for students to get an experience they normally couldn’t since concert tickets are rarely ever $5, and even if they don't know him, they can still go to have a good time with their friends,” Madu and Bossert told The Setonian in an email days before the concert. “I also think the students will really enjoy the live show, as you can’t really compare listening to Spotify to hearing music in person.”
Moonwater, an emotive rock-and-scythe-laden dance music band, took the stage, warming up students for what was yet to come. The band’s lead singer, Michael Cappelluti, is an ‘18 alumnus who majored in marketing.
Todd’s set followed, and the crowd was ready as the clock struck 8:59 p.m., chanting “Malcolm, Malcolm, Malcolm,” and seconds later, the man of the hour arrived on stage promptly at 9 p.m., welcoming SHU with a “Go Pirates,” and charming the crowd with his candid personality.
“The traction on my shoes is gone, so if I slip up here, just delete the video of me falling,” Todd laughed.
He started the performance strongly, with one of his popular songs, “Earrings,” instantly getting the crowd to sing along.
Todd told the crowd that one of his next songs, “I Walk To Class,” is dedicated to college relationships. The crowd roared.
“Yeah, it's complicated, I get it, you know,” he said. “So I hope it's working out for at least some of you guys. If you have a crush, tell them you love them now.”
Todd performed nearly 20 songs, some of which included:
“Earrings”
“Make Me A Better Man”
“4Me 4Me”
“Bleed”
“Mr. Incorrect”
“Sweet Boy”
“Concrete”
“You Owe Me”
“Attention”
“Breathe”
“I Walk To Class”
“Cheer Me On”
“Hesitating”
“Chest Pain (I Love)”
“Leave It All To Me (Theme from iCarly)”
“Roommates”
In an interview with The Setonian, Todd opened up about what it’s like as a 22-year-old playing for college audiences who are around the same age as him.
“I think it's nice to be around your peers,” Todd told The Setonian. “I never went to college, and it's definitely refreshing to be surrounded by kids my age because sometimes I'm a lot younger than a lot of people in the room, or I don't know, there's just a normalcy about it—that’s something I kind of missed the last few years.”
Todd told the same truth to the crowd during the performance, “I never went to college, so you guys are kind of my college experience right now. So I like it.”
Todd added that if he went to college, he’d graduate with the 2026 senior class.
“So I'm gonna miss this, I'm gonna miss this college,” Todd shared.
Upon reflection, Todd also cannot get enough of Gen-Z energy.
“I just think it's fun to make people excited and have a good time playing music for other people, the energy is nice, the youthful energy,” he told The Setonian.
The crowds Todd plays for do not disappoint in bringing the energy, which is a reflection of his presence as a performer and the storytelling at the core of his music.
“There's so many things, I think mainly probably like life inspires my music and because, as a songwriter, you're just a storyteller, you tell stories about the stuff you experience,” Todd told The Setonian.
A big part of Todd’s life that helps shape his music, too, are the people who have been by his side since birth.
“Something that's really important to my artistry is like my family,” Todd told The Setonian. “I think my family being supportive is like one of the biggest parts of my creative freedom.”
Todd’s older sister is singer-songwriter Audrey Hobert, best known for her 2025 hit “Sue me” and for her close friendship with Gracie Abrams.
Todd said that he just wants listeners “to have a good time” while tuning into his music.
“You know music is really important, but also it's just like you're supposed to feel cool or feel emotion when you're listening to it,” Todd told The Setonian. “So hopefully it's just like, makes, you know, someone's car ride better, and two more and kind of going off of what you're talking about, you know, having that youthful energy.”
Being surrounded by peers at the concert, Todd offered pieces of advice he has for college students who are working towards living out their dreams.
“Have patience and trust that you know what's inside of you is what is going to take you the furthest and not you know something that you think people will like,” Todd told The Setonian.. “You know your biggest advantage in life is being able to be yourself 100%.”
During the performance, Todd did just that, showing SHU students his true self, busting a move and cracking up the audience.
Todd pranked the audience by playing the “Sweet Home Alabama” introduction and went on to sing “Sweet Home ‘New Jersey’” before cutting the music and admitting to the joke.
Another one of the tricks Todd has up his sleeve is performing his favorite, the “iCarly” theme song, “Leave It All to Me,” towards the end of the show, which is his concert tradition. This beat engaged the entire audience and transported them back to childhood nostalgia.
Todd and the students were feeling the energy up until the last minutes.
“Before this last song, can I please get one more Abso-freaking-lutely?” Todd screamed. SHU students pulled through, reciting “asbo-freaking-lutely!” back.
After closing with his fan-favorite “Roommates,” Todd paused to take in the moment, ending the show on a note of gratitude for students giving him the college experience he never had.
“I love New Jersey. I love Seton Hall. I love college,” Todd said.
Sofia Kasbo is the Managing Editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at sofia.kasbo@student.shu.edu.
Lakyn Austin, Head Features Editor of The Setonian, contributed to the reporting.
Grace Tylee, Head Social Media Editor of The Setonian, contributed to the reporting.
