OMNOM Set to Headline the 2026 Monster Energy Up & Up Festival for Its Tenth Anniversary

The long-awaited announcement from the Monster Energy Up & Up Festival has just dropped: OMNOM, the acclaimed house music producer, will take center stage as the headliner for the Fall 2026 college tour. This year marks the festival’s tenth anniversary, a decade celebrated with standout performances by renowned artists like Dom Dolla and Disco Lines.

OMNOM expressed his excitement for this milestone, stating, “I never DJ'd at any of the big parties when I was in college. Thanks to Monster Energy Up & Up, I’m coming back to headline them instead.” College students, known for their vibrant energy, are what motivate OMNOM, and he’s thrilled to witness his music resonate with the fresh wave of dance fans. He humorously mentions he would love to play at every school, but only four will get the unique opportunity to host their own Up & Up Festival featuring him.

Celebrating its ten-year legacy, the festival has cultivated a unique way of connecting with student audiences, selling tickets within 48 hours before even announcing dates or venues. The competitive spirit arises from over 100 student ambassador teams across universities aiming to bring this festival to their campus through dynamic grassroots marketing initiatives like campus activations, bar takeovers, and influencer campaigns. The winning teams not only get to host the festival but also gain invaluable internship experience.

Each college team gets to run their own Instagram account while competing to sell the most tickets during the presale window. The top four colleges reaping the benefits of ticket sales earn the right to collaborate with Up & Up to orchestrate a one-of-a-kind event at a local venue. These festivals not only feature OMNOM but also kick off with DJ openers chosen by each campus team, ensuring that every festival is a unique celebration of local talent.

This innovative ticketing model means that no upfront payments are needed until teams win, minimizing financial risks. Students can also pay via PayPal and Venmo, making the process smooth and accessible. This whole ecosystem not only generates sold-out events well ahead of their scheduled dates but simultaneously offers students practical experience in production and marketing.

Reflecting on his personal journey, Lefty Howland, a fifth-year advertising student at the University of Oregon, emphasized, “Applying to Up & Up has been one of the best decisions I made in college.” He called the experience magical, describing the joy of organizing an EDM festival for peers and the local community, especially in a smaller town where opportunities felt restricted.

The festival has been influential in the rise of electronic dance music on college campuses and continues to attract major acts. Recent hosting winners include universities like Cal Poly, Miami-Ohio, San Diego State, and others, showcasing not just the festival's popularity but its capacity to create spaces for both aspiring artists and college students. In 2025 and 2026, the festival expanded into three new SEC schools while also reestablishing the Newcomers Award for colleges that haven’t hosted since the pandemic.

In the lead-up to the Fall 2026 competition, dubbed the ‘Road to Up & Up,’ various events at popular clubs will foster excitement, culminating into the pivotal NATIONAL PEP RALLY. This unique virtual event draws participants from over 200 universities, featuring surprise artist performances, insightful discussions from music industry veterans, and generous giveaways.

The national competition will begin on September 15, 2026, leading into a festive October and November, with hopeful students encouraged to apply.

The Monster Energy brand has always represented a lifestyle rooted in extreme sports and authentic music experiences. As the headlining artist, OMNOM symbolizes the essence of today's youth culture and the ever-evolving genre of house music.

With a booming presence in the music scene, OMNOM is known for his signature style and collaborations with numerous industry heavyweights. His music has charted successfully, solidifying his influence within the EDM community. This partnership between OMNOM and the Up & Up Festival sets the stage for an electrifying series of events across campus settings.

For fans in college seeking to be part of this musical journey or to gain industry experience, they can find more information at www.upandupfestival.com.