Shiuan Cheng / Daily Nexus
UC Santa Barbara’s The Hub transformed into a pulsing heart of music, costume and energy as students mobbed to the Delirium concerts on Oct. 24 and 25.
Organized by the Associated Students Program Board (ASPB), this year’s Delirium doubled down on the annual Halloweekend tradition, giving students rare back-to-back shows featuring headliners Cloonee and Mike Sherm in the basement of the University Center.
Night one of Delirium felt like UCSB’s personal music festival with headliner Cloonee. The Hub buzzed with electric energy as students, dressed in music festival-inspired attire, packed every corner. Headscarves, bold outfits and costumes added to the festive atmosphere.
Kicking off the night was DJ duo GOON INC. From the moment the dynamic pair took the stage, the energy bounced back and forth between them and the crowd. Their infectious beats and mashups featuring Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina” and Radiohead’s “Creep” had students singing and dancing along in the crowd. As their set progressed, GOON INC. hit all the right notes, leaving everyone buzzing for more.
As Cloonee emerged from the curtains, the crowd could barely contain itself. The bass pulsated through the walls, and each beat seemed to send a fresh wave of excitement through the sea of attendees. The Hub turned into UCSB’s own rave, the perfect playground for the Delirium festivities.
Headliner Cloonee mixing tech-house beats during night one, yelling out “If you want me, if you need me, I’m yours,” a reference to his song “Still My Baby.” (Wesley Haver / Daily Nexus)
Cloonee’s tech-house beats resonated through the crowd, each track seamlessly mixed to perfection. A master mixer, Cloonee was in-tune with the music and the crowd’s energy. His presence captivated the audience and the crowd responded with uncontainable excitement, with fans even climbing on each other’s shoulders and crowd-surfing.
Closing out with his latest release, “Still My Baby,” Cloonee sent everyone into a beautiful chill. Transitioning into a new, final mix of the night, he sent the crowd off with the lines “If you want me, if you need me, I’m yours,” a fitting ending to an exhilarating show.
On the much-anticipated night two of Delirium, opening DJ Stewie and headlining act Sherm brought the bold, audacious energy from the Bay Area to UCSB in an explosive night of hip-hop and rap.
DJ Stewie knew just how to kick off the party, playing popular hits like TLC’s “No Scrubs” to warm up the crowd. His immaculately curated mix transformed The Hub into a house party. A wizard on the aux, DJ Stewie effortlessly read the crowd and kept the party vibe alive. Ending his set with “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, DJ Stewie was met with overwhelming applause, setting the stage for a night filled with high energy.
Sherm’s arrival on stage sent the frenzied crowd into overdrive. “A prodigy on the beat,” he commanded The Hub with an unmistakable Bay Area swagger, embodying the energy of a hometown hero here to make his mark.
Night two headliner Mike Sherm performing to a packed crowd in The Hub, located in UC Santa Barbara’s University Center. (Shiuan Cheng / Daily Nexus)
Sherm’s presence radiated bold authenticity — every beat, every bar he dropped and every interaction with the crowd came across as genuine, making it clear he was there to give UCSB a performance they’d never forget.
He moved freely around the stage, frequently stepping down to connect with fans as if the barriers didn’t exist. Sherm was not there to just rap, he performed and engaged with the crowd. Sherm’s high-octane energy sent the crowd into a delirious frenzy.
Launching into his set, his voice cut through the pulsing bass with a bold confidence that kept the crowd on their toes, hanging onto every line. His hit song, “Baby,” came in hard with its signature bassline, setting the stage on fire as Sherm’s unapologetic lyrics reverberated throughout The Hub.
As he threw out Bay Area classics with the cover of “Calvin Cambridge,” nodding to hip-hop group SOB x RBE, it felt like a personal shoutout and celebration of the iconic sounds of Bay Area hip-hop.
Sherm ended the night with the fan favorite “Asshole,” a track the crowd had been begging for throughout the night. The track brought out the best of his gritty, unfiltered style. His brash delivery and fearless lyrics had everyone fired up, fully embracing the bold vibe he radiated. His raw, no-holds-barred performance left a lasting mark, closing the night on an unforgettable high.
Students vibing to the high-energy, festival-style music. (Wesley Haver / Daily Nexus)
The passion Sherm brought was unmistakable, showcasing his commitment to his craft and to the dedicated fanbase who came out to support him. His raw performance wasn’t just a setlist but an experience with vibrating intensity that could be felt throughout The Hub.
ASPB’s production of Delirium brought back live music in an explosive fashion, successfully pulling off one of the main programming events of the 2024-25 school year. The two-day event was more than just a concert — it was a testament to how music pulses through UCSB’s culture and community. With excitement building for future ASPB events, UCSB’s music scene has made a bold return.
This appeared on pages 1 and 12 in the October 31 print edition of the Daily Nexus.
