Electronic music blared from the Mario Savio Steps on Friday evening as students flocked to Upper Sproul Plaza for Votechella — a free concert put on by ASUC SUPERB to encourage students to research, register and vote in upcoming elections. After a lively performance from opener Kumo 99, Los Angeles music duo The Hellp took to the steps for an hourlong DJ set.

The concert was put on in conjunction with the ASUC External Affairs Vice President’s Office and the ASUC Vote Coalition, a department in the EAVP’s Office dedicated to voter registration and turnout. Additionally, student-run delivery service Duffl sponsored the event, providing free snacks and drinks to concertgoers.

Between Kumo 99 and The Hellp’s set, ASUC External Affairs Vice President Selina Mendez and ASUC Vote Coalition Director Emma Ramos addressed the crowd on the importance of voting in upcoming elections.

“Midterm elections are crucial because we’ve seen how our elected representatives, our educational institutions and the federal government have continued to target and attack the communities that we care about the most,” Mendez said in her speech.

This isn’t the first time the ASUC has hosted Votechella. In 2024, it enlisted soloist The Dare and former UC Berkeley student and electronic music artist DJ Mandy for a show to encourage voter turnout.

In November, voters will have the chance to make their voices heard on a wide range of elections and issues. Berkeley’s District 7, which is 95% students, has a historically low voter turnout rate.

In-person voting on campus will begin Oct. 31 in Eshleman Hall.

“Eligible voters turn out at much lower rates for midterms than presidential elections,” Ramos said in her speech. “Voting can be difficult and time-consuming, which is why a lot of our efforts have been focused on removing barriers to accessible voting.”

The Hellp mixed dance and pop hits with its own music throughout the DJ set. Students sang along to hits such as “Here I Am” and “Ssx,” along with remixed classics such as Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance” and Radiohead’s “Everything in Its Right Place.”

“I came because I knew they were going to play Radiohead,” said senior Jonah Lopez. “When they did that, the drop was incredible and it was beautiful.”

In a postconcert interview with The Daily Californian, The Hellp spoke on the importance of voting in November’s midterms.

“You got to vote, you can’t be nihilistic and apprehensive. It’s your duty as a citizen to vote,” said bandmate Noah Dillon. “It doesn’t matter what side, any side, but you gotta make sure your voice is heard. That’s why we live in America, right?”