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For Ross Lynch’s performance at the JMA Wireless Dome Friday, Syracuse University seniors Sierra Cuthill and Stephanie Hillburn wrapped a monochromatic pink flag featuring a shirtless Ross around their shoulders.

Cuthill said she knew she had to bring the flag, a home decor piece she purchased last year, to the concert. To make it happen, Cuthill’s friend volunteered to wear the flag as a cape so it wouldn’t get taken away.

“I just feel like we stare at it every day. So then, if he’s on stage, how could we not bring it?” Hillburn said.

On Friday night, The Driver Era, the musical duo featuring Ross and his brother Rocky Lynch, Ravyn Lenae and Snow Strippers headlined University Union’s Block Party. Student DJ Spike Michel, an SU sophomore, was also the opener for the event that saw students flock to the Dome once again.

Earlier in the afternoon, students flooded the Shaw Quadrangle for Soundcheck, an afternoon of food trucks, oversized inflatables and student performers, a precursor to the evening’s festivities.

Some audience members, like Cuthill, have been following Ross for over 10 years since his “Austin & Ally” and “Teen Beach Movie” days. The summer before Cuthill’s freshman year at SU in 2022, she saw The Driver Era live in Boston. Now, two weeks before she graduates, Cuthill saw Rocky and Ross live again.

Before performing at the annual Block Party, Ross Lynch of The Driver Era explored Syracuse University’s local spots like People’s Place and strolled around Marshall Street. Ross wore a baby tee with red hearts for his performance, which he bought from 3fifteen. Avery Magee | Photo Editor

Hillburn and Cuthill danced around with their Ross flag over their shoulders, even as other artists took stage.

The night began with Michel’s 30-minute DJ set, which featured popular mashups with older tracks like “iSpy (feat. Lil Yachty)” and newer hits like “POP DAT THANG.”

Then, Snow Strippers, an EDM duo consisting of singer Tatiana Schwaninger and record producer Graham Perez, were up. For the first few songs, the crowd didn’t feel alive. But when “It’s A Dream (feat. Lil Uzi Vert)” began playing, the audience roared to life.

SU sophomore Steven Fiscus said his favorite part of Block Party was jumping up and down and screaming with his roommate during that song.

“It just has a really cool rhythm and progression to it. It feels like a very moving, transformative household,” Fiscus said.

Playing more than 10 songs, Snow Strippers concluded its set with its most popular song, “Under Your Spell,” which has over 280 million streams on Spotify. The crowd jumped around with the beat, nearly shaking the Dome with excitement.

The audience seemingly grew when Lenae continued the night with “Xtasy.” As Lenae transitioned to a slower tempoed song in “Goodbye 2 You,” the crowd swayed from left to right with their hands in the air, moving to the beat.

Lenae brought the audience through her older music and different collaborations with other artists, from “One Wish (feat. Childish Gambino)” to “Skin Tight (feat. Steve Lacy).” To conclude the night, she ended with SU junior Owen Wilson’s personal favorite song, “Love Me Not.”

But Wilson was most looking forward to seeing Ross in real life.

“I’m excited to hear the song whenever he takes his shirt off,” Wilson said.

When The Driver Era took the stage, it felt like the crowd doubled. Whether it was a high-energy track like “Preacher Man” or a slower track like “Everybody’s Lover,” the crowd remained energetic — even at 10:30 p.m.

Holding up signs that read “I like blondes,” “come 2 orange crate (pls)” and more, the crowd didn’t stop cheering.

Wilson and his friends came to Block Party donning pink-sequined cowboy hats — a classic accessory at Ross’ performances — hoping to twin with the artist.

That didn’t happen until Ross and Rocky threw on a matching hat in their last number, “A Kiss.” Another one of Wilson’s hopes for Ross’ performance also came true: he yearned for a classic song from his Disney Channel days. Luckily for him, Ross sang “On My Own” from “Teen Beach 2” Friday.

Rocky Lynch of The Driver Era comes off stage and immerses with the SU crowd. Rocky, along with his brother Ross, performed songs like “Preacher Man” and “Everybody’s Lover.” Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor

Before the show started, Ross explored SU’s campus and classic spots nearby. Ross was practically an SU student. He walked around the Quad, visited People’s Place, strolled Marshall Street and even browsed Marshall Square Mall’s thrift store, 3fifteen.

Ross wore a white baby tee with red hearts in the middle for his performance, a shirt he had purchased hours before at 3fifteen, he told the audience. Maybe he really did become an SU student for the day.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter what songs The Driver Era played or how many Disney Channel-era tracks were featured. Seeing Ross nearly four years after Cuthill last did was enough for her.

“As seniors, being able to see someone that we grew up with, and then now watch them as we’re in our final weeks of college, it’s just really fun and exciting,” Cuthill said.

Published on April 25, 2026 at 10:55 am
Contact Lily: lvzucker@syr.edu