As headliners for the Spring Concert hosted by the Student Activities Board, 3OH!3 was set to bring their signature high-energy, anything-goes performance style to PennWest California.
Known for hits like “Don’t Trust Me”, the duo has built a career on music that blends humor, chaos, and infectious energy, and that same spirit carried directly onto the stage. When asked how they’ve kept that energy alive over the years, their answer was anything but ordinary.
“We kind of rekindle our romance each night on stage,” they joked.
From birthday cupcakes to spontaneous moments mid-performance, their shows thrive on unpredictability.
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“Honestly, the worst thing is trying to sing while eating frosting,” they added, recalling past on-stage celebrations.
That carefree, playful energy has been part of 3OH!3 since the very beginning. Long before global recognition, they were simply making music to perform for friends.
“Our first show, we only had two songs,” they said. “We had to write more just to fill 30 minutes.”
During the MySpace era, their music was shared for the love of it, not for streams or profit. That mindset continues to shape their creative process today.
“It’s about having fun and making music that feels good to us,” they explained. “Hopefully that translates to people listening.”
Despite their early success, including the widespread popularity of “Don’t Trust Me”, the duo never expected their music to reach such a global audience.
“We were just writing for our friends,” they said. “It was a very different approach back then.”
As the music industry evolved from downloads to streaming, 3OH!3 adapted, but their core philosophy stayed the same. Rather than overthinking how to balance nostalgia with new music, they focus on staying present in the moment.
“We try not to think about it too much,” they said. “If we’re having fun in the studio, that’s what matters.”
Now, returning to perform on college campuses brings their journey full circle.
“College was such a big time in our lives,” they shared. “Being back on a campus like this, it’s an honor.”
For 3OH!3, their concerts are more than just performances, they’re experiences built around connection and energy.
“Our shows are about just rocking a party and making sure everybody has a good time,” they said.
With a mix of nostalgia, humor, and high-energy music, 3OH!3 was ready to turn PennWest California into a full-on celebration, proving that, even years later, their music still knows how to bring a crowd together.