On Tuesday, Social Board announced Laundry Day as this year’s Summer Sendoff headliner. Over the spring semester, rumors have been brewing regarding the event’s plans. Whether through Yik Yak discourse or classroom gossip, the Kenyon community has waited anxiously to find out who would claim the coveted headliner spot for this year’s event. Potential musicians included rising pop star Audrey Hobert, indie-rock band Saint Motel and Irish rock group Inhaler. 

New York City-based pop band Laundry Day washed into the music scene nearly a decade ago. Throughout the last few years, the band grew in popularity after several viral TikTok videos of the members parodying pop hits, including “12 to 12” by sombr. While the band has remained fairly underground in the music scene, its most popular songs include “SUPERMODEL” off its most recent album EARWORM and 2019 social media sensation “FRIENDS.” 

Social Board delivered the news at 4 p.m. via an Instagram post and all-student email, and students reacted immediately. “I’ve been following Laundry Day since I saw them live in Los Angeles in 2019. Seeing them perform again will be a full circle moment, so I’m excited,” Tyler Frey ’29 said in an interview with the Collegian. Benjamin Dollar ’28 agreed with Frey: “I’m excited! I don’t know any of their music, to be honest, but it’s a free concert at a small school in Ohio so I’m grateful nonetheless.”

On the Hill, Sendoff excitement began in late February at Battle of the Bands, where student bands Victor, Blueberry Jam Collective and Redford were selected to be this year’s openers. While the event warmed the wintry minds of students, the planning process for Sendoff began much earlier than February. 

Social Board began preliminary discussions around the event toward the beginning of the academic year. “We collect names of artists who fit in our budget, and then our advisor works with us and an agency to figure out who would be feasible options to get,” Social Board President Grace Guiley ’26 said in a message to the Collegian. The first part of planning primarily involved Social Board’s executive board, where the representatives finalized a list of 10 possible musicians for Summer Sendoff. Following their decision, the executive board regrouped with Social Board associates to gather a final list of five musicians along with discussing food vendors and game options for the event. 

According to Guiley, narrowing the decision down to Laundry Day was simple. “Laundry Day was affordable, people liked them, they were available for the Sendoff date and they were willing to work with us,” she said.

Kenyon’s 36th annual Summer Sendoff will be held on Ascension Lawn on April 24. Student bands will open the event starting at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m., Laundry Day will take the stage for its highly anticipated performance. Free food trucks and games will be available for students.