Malcolm Todd to Headline Northwestern's Dillo Day, Capping a Rapid Rise from TikTok to Billboard

Key facts

• Malcolm Todd, 22, will headline the 54th Dillo Day on May 16 at Northwestern's Lakefill.
• Dillo Day is the largest student-run music festival in the United States, drawing over 12,000 attendees.
• Todd's 2023 songs 'Roommates' and 'Art House' earned him a record deal with Columbia Records.
• His 2024 single 'Chest Pain (I Love)' became his first entry on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Todd released two new singles in 2026: 'Breathe' on March 13 and 'I Saw Your Face' on April 24.
• Northwestern undergraduates receive free admission but must reserve tickets by May 14.

A Headliner Born from a Smart Shuffle

Malcolm Todd will headline the 54th Dillo Day, Mayfest Productions announced Monday afternoon, placing the 22-year-old singer, songwriter and producer at the center of the nation's largest student-run music festival. The booking gives Northwestern students a clear target on the spring calendar and a headliner with a fast-moving chart record. Dillo Day takes place May 16 at the Lakefill on Northwestern's lakefront campus in Evanston, Illinois. The festival draws more than 12,000 attendees, and undergraduates get free admission, though they must reserve tickets by May 14. Avalon Bookstaver, a member of the Mayfest Productions Bookings Team and a Communication junior, described discovering Todd's music serendipitously. 'I was searching for the next indie artist to rise to the top of my playlist when 'Roommates' appeared in a Spotify smart shuffle,' she said in a Monday press release. 'I was hooked immediately. The airy tone of Todd's vocals, his impossibly catchy melodies, and inventive bridges cement him as one of the best rising artists of our time.'

From Bedroom Recordings to Billboard

Malcolm Todd Hobert was born September 15, 2003, in Los Angeles and began crafting his sound during high school. His breakthrough came in 2023 with the viral hits 'Roommates' and 'Art House,' which accumulated millions of streams on TikTok and Spotify. The tracks showcased his ability to write catchy hooks without sacrificing lyrical depth or musical originality. Those songs earned him a record deal with Columbia Records almost immediately, turning short-form momentum into label and chart traction. In 2024, Todd released 'Chest Pain (I Love),' which became his first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100, marking his official breakthrough into mainstream recognition. Todd's music blends indie pop with alternative R&B and bedroom pop, creating a sound that feels both intimate and radio-ready. His 'airy vocals' and 'impossibly catchy melodies,' as described by the Mayfest Bookings Team, have defined his rise.

Fresh Material and a Festival Slot

Since mid-March, Todd has been rolling out new material to keep his audience engaged. He released 'Breathe' on March 13 and 'I Saw Your Face' on April 24, extending a release schedule that kept him in circulation as Mayfest decided on the Dillo Day headliner. The timing of these releases suggests an artist who understands the importance of staying visible in a fast-moving digital landscape. For Northwestern students, the live question is not whether Dillo Day has scale — it does — but how much of the campus audience turns out for an artist who has already moved from TikTok and Spotify momentum to Billboard visibility. Todd's performance will be the centerpiece of a festival that has featured major acts in the past, including Natasha Bedingfield, who was announced as a previous headliner. The 54th edition also introduces a new stage called 'The Burrow,' adding to the festival's infrastructure.

The Mechanics of a Student-Run Spectacle

Dillo Day is organized entirely by Mayfest Productions, a student-run organization that has been putting on the festival for over five decades. The event takes place at the Lakefill, a man-made peninsula on Lake Michigan that provides a scenic backdrop for the concerts. Admission is free for Northwestern undergraduates, but tickets must be reserved by May 14. This reservation system helps organizers manage the crowd and ensure a safe experience for the thousands of attendees expected. The festival's scale — over 12,000 attendees — makes it a significant platform for emerging artists. For Todd, headlining Dillo Day represents one of college music's biggest stages, a chance to connect with a young, engaged audience that mirrors his own fan base.

A Meteoric Rise in Three Years

Todd's journey from unknown bedroom musician to chart-climbing star has taken just three years. His 2023 releases caught fire on TikTok and Spotify, earning him a record deal with Columbia Records almost immediately. The viral hits 'Roommates' and 'Art House' accumulated millions of streams and social media shares. In 2024, Todd released 'Chest Pain (I Love),' his biggest moment yet. The single charted on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his official breakthrough into mainstream recognition. Since then, he has continued to release new music, proving he is more than just a one-hit wonder. His rise reflects a new generation of artists who blend indie pop with alternative R&B and bedroom pop, using social media platforms to build audiences that translate into label interest and chart success.

What Comes Next for Todd and Dillo Day

For Todd, the Dillo Day headlining slot is another milestone in a career that has moved rapidly from viral clips to major festival stages. The performance on May 16 will be a test of his ability to translate digital popularity into a live concert experience for a crowd of thousands. For Northwestern students, the festival offers a chance to see a rising star before he potentially reaches even greater heights. The May 14 ticket reservation deadline adds a sense of urgency for undergraduates who want to attend. As Dillo Day approaches, the question is not just how Todd will perform, but how his set will resonate with a student body that has watched his rise unfold on their own social media feeds. The answer will come on May 16, when the Lakefill fills with music.

The bottom line

• Malcolm Todd, 22, will headline the 54th Dillo Day on May 16 at Northwestern's Lakefill, the largest student-run music festival in the U.S.
• His 2023 viral hits 'Roommates' and 'Art House' earned him a Columbia Records deal, and his 2024 single 'Chest Pain (I Love)' debuted on the Billboard Hot 100.
• Todd has released two new singles in 2026: 'Breathe' (March 13) and 'I Saw Your Face' (April 24), maintaining momentum ahead of the festival.
• Northwestern undergraduates get free admission but must reserve tickets by May 14; the festival draws over 12,000 attendees.
• Todd's rise from bedroom musician to charting artist in three years exemplifies the power of TikTok and Spotify in launching new talent.
• The Dillo Day performance will be a key test of Todd's ability to translate digital popularity into a live concert experience.