Pia Kayser
The usual cafe-style setup of the Undercaf was transformed by red bows tied on chairs, couches turned to the stage, string lights and a graffiti’d “Final Jam” sign framed by red draping and streamers. Final Jam, the student-run talent show from USFtv and KUSF, returned on May 1 to mark both USFtv’s 20th anniversary and the event’s founder, senior media studies student JJ Lansing’s final show.
Organizers, clad in suits and long dresses, called on attendees to come wearing the “best thing in their closet” to commemorate the occasion. Media studies senior Ella Brohm followed the dress code in a white button-down, black tie and two top hats stacked on top of each other. As a self-proclaimed “involuntary member” of both KUSF and USFtv, Brohm said, “I got to support my girls. You can tell how much effort they put into it.”
A little past 7 p.m., the space was full of students grabbing complimentary food and settling in. Host Diego Gomez, junior design major and a USFtv member, kicked off the night with jokes and a run-down on USFtv. “Just trying to channel my Conan O’Brien,” he said backstage. “Although, hopefully I’m not leaning too much towards Jimmy Kimmel.”
The evening opened with two newcomers to Final Jam, first, soft acoustic sets by sophomore critical diversity studies major Laine Slabbinck, followed by the duo “Hide and Seek.” “People who come to Final Jam are very open and receptive to all experience levels,” said Slabbinck, who serenaded the crowd with a cover of Norah Jones’ “Nightingale,” later tying for best performance before the final vote.
True to Final Jam tradition, audience games kept the energy high. The impressions challenge was won by freshmen marketing major Justin Manns for his spot-on Kermit the Frog, taking home the prize of a new record player. Manns returned with his band Shades of Brown, debuting an original song and a cover of The Smiths’ “There’s a Light That Never Goes Out,” which was voted best performance of the night. “I feel very surprised, honestly,” said their saxophonist, freshman psychology major Michelle Cotlyar. “There were so many amazing performances.” Supporting them, along with many others, was freshman nursing major Reese Hackamack. “[Final Jam is] an opportunity to just be with students and see what some students are into.”
The duo “Frame Data,” composed of Jesse Costa and Harrison Combs, also debuted at Final Jam with an original song that brought the crowd to their feet when Combs started beatboxing. “This is the most I’ve ever prepared for a song in my entire life,” said Combs, a sophomore computer science major.
Not everyone onstage was a newcomer. Final Jam veteran Mikal Nunley returned with hip hop poetry, performing under the moniker “Big Mike.” “My first performance was rough. I changed it a lot,” said the junior entrepreneurship major. “But the crowd has always been amazing […] That’s what kept me coming back.”
Sor Juana, who debuted at the Fall 2024 Final Jam, returned this semester with an original song. “I also work at KUSF, so it’s just cool to see everyone pop out for the music,” said the band’s lead singer Andrea Duque, a junior English major. “Just showing up and building community is really cool.”
The crowd rocked out to Lunar Stag’s high-energy cover of Heart’s “Barracuda” and swayed to Trixie’s electric guitar cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” lit by a sea of iPhone flashlights.
Closing out the night was senior English major Lorenzo Jauregui, a.k.a. LoLight, with fresh confidence after opening for Wallows at Donaroo in April. Even as crowds dwindled at 10:00 p.m., his high energy-set won him runner-up for best performance. Feeling bittersweet about his last Final Jam performance, Juaregi said, “I’m just really proud of everything this event is.”
That pride was echoed by Lansing, the graduating senior who started Final Jam her freshman year. “Everyone who participated—from the bands to the crew to the people who promoted it—just everything. It all came together so wonderfully.”
Trista Ngo, another USFtv member and graduating senior, is confident in Final Jam’s future. “I’m not worried whatsoever about Final Jam continuing,” she said. “Our team was so reliable. The performances have gotten better, and audience involvement is at an all-time high.”
Gomez, who will return on USFtv’s staff next year, hopes to continue Lansing’s legacy. “Final Jam really has been JJ’s baby. So I think we just want to keep it true to that,” said Gomez.
While the event is primarily student-run, KUSF General Manager Miranda Morris, who’s worked with USF students for over 15 years, helped support the show from the beginning. “I am so grateful for Miranda,” said Lansing. “None of this happens without her.” But Morris enjoys working with students, “I get to really know the students. I get to watch them grow and become these awesome adults.”
Final Jam once again proved to be a moving platform for student talent and creative community. “The best part about being in an artistic community is gathering that community together,” concluded Lansing.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
