NBC’s “Today” Show hosts major stars for sunrise concerts in Midtown—but would the College of Staten Island crowd make the early-morning trek for a show?
By Nicole Gonzalez
While most college students are still asleep at 6 AM, the area around Rockefeller Plaza is already buzzing with music fans, flashing lights, and camera crews. NBC’s “Today” Show Summer Concert Series offers free live performances from top artists and for students at CSI, it’s an enticing opportunity just a ferry ride away. But the big question remains: would students trade sleep for the thrill of a sunrise concert in the city?
From Taylor Swift and Coldplay to BTS and Mariah Carey, the “Today” Show has hosted some of the biggest names in music on its famous outdoor stage. These free concerts draw crowds from around the city and beyond. Fans line up before dawn to get a glimpse of their favorite performers, with general admission open and fan Passes are available through an online lottery. You can enter by visiting the TODAY Show website and registering with your email.
“The energy is unreal,” said Remya Mathew, a senior at CSI and self-described concert lover. “You’re standing outside in the dark with strangers who all love the same music. Once the lights come on and the artist steps out—it’s all worth it.”
Mathew has attended two of these free concerts within the last four years with a group of friends and fellow students, one of them being Brandon Avila.
For CSI students, attending one of these concerts isn’t as simple as showing up. The journey involves taking the campus shuttle or bus to the St. George Ferry Terminal, catching a 25-minute ferry ride to Lower Manhattan, and then taking the subway uptown to Rockefeller Center. To make it by the recommended 5:15 AM arrival time, students would need to leave campus by around 3:30 AM.
“It’s definitely a commitment,” said Avila, a CSI . “I love live music, but I’m not sure I’d want to wake up that early, especially if there’s no guarantee you’ll even see the stage clearly.”
Although the concert is off-campus, CSI’s Office of Student Life expressed interest in helping spread the word to students.
“Thank you for reaching out,” wrote Debi Kee, Deputy Director of Student Life at the Campus Center. “Our office can certainly help with promoting summer concerts through postings in the Campus Center or a newsletter on CSI Connect. We do not have funds for transportation.”
This means students are on their own when it comes to getting there, but the promotion may still help build buzz around the event.
Fans say the concerts are more than worth the effort.
“It’s totally different from a regular concert,” Mathew said. “It’s free, it’s early, and it’s in the middle of the city. You can make a whole day out of it—go get breakfast after, hang out in Central Park, even explore the city before the crowds wake up.”
Others point to the once-in-a-lifetime of seeing major artists for free.
“You never know who’s going to show up,” Mathew said. “Sometimes artists bring surprise guests. You could be a part of music history and not even know it.”
For others, the challenges outweigh the perks.
“You’re basically standing in a packed crowd for hours with no sleep,” said Avila. “And if you don’t have a Fan Pass, you might barely see anything.”
He added, “I get why some students would go, especially if it’s their favorite artist. But personally, I’d rather watch the highlights on YouTube.”
While not every student is ready to rise at 3 AM for a concert, the draw of live music, big-name artists, and a New York City backdrop is hard to ignore. With campus promotion and other fellow student’s experiences , it’s likely some CSI students will take the leap and the ferry for an unforgettable morning.
“I know it sounds crazy,” Mathew said with a smile, “but sometimes the best college memories come from the things that weren’t in your planner.”
