It’s murph, a DJ and producer from Nashville, Tenn. has been confirmed as the artist of the Founders’ Day Weekend inaugural signature concert taking place on Saturday, April 11.
Student Body President Will Leathers announced Garrett Murphy, known by his stage name, it’s murph, during Student Senate on Tuesday, March 24. The DJ has roughly 3.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with his debut single “Food for the Soul” racking up over 65 million views as recently as the announcement. it’s murph has performed previously at SMU fraternity events, per Leathers.
Leathers, who leads the Founders’ Day Weekend committee, said he was excited to host a concert that leaned into SMU’s culture and would be open to the entire SMU family.
“We decided that an EDM artist would be the best avenue, so they could play a variety of songs that students know,” Leathers said. “During my four years, we have not had an all-encompassing event in which the entire SMU community can attend. I think the student[s] will enjoy the atmosphere of being all together in a celebration of the best of SMU.”
It’s murph is stopping at Moody Coliseum amidst his “Weightless” tour, named for his 2025 debut album. The on-campus concert will be free for all attendees and will directly follow the “Party on the Plaza” event. Tatum Morris, a member of the Founders’ Day Weekend committee overseeing the concert, said she felt he was the best option available within their budget.
“It’s murph was the most recognizable name within our budget that we felt like could get the most students there,” Morris said. “With Coachella happening the same weekend, our options were definitely limited, but the team persevered.”
Despite ticket prices of zero, SMU paid a steep bill to bring it’s murph to the Hilltop. The planning team requested $50,000 from Student Senate alone in weekly funding, which went towards renting the stage.
Leathers and Morris did not disclose the full concert budget.
SMU senior Grant Offner is one student excited for the concert, saying that it’s murph was a great pick.
“To say I’m excited for it’s murph to perform at SMU would be an understatement,” Offner said. “I think the last time I was this stoked was the night before I got to ski Alta after a 37” storm.”
Offner was a fan of it’s murph before the concert announcement, but Reanna Selvaraj, a senior unfamiliar with the DJ, said she thought the concert could be popular, even if it wasn’t her preferred genre.
“I personally don’t think I’ll attend just because it’s not my style of music,” Selvaraj said. “I think house music and EDM [are] very popular nowadays, especially among frat and sorority life. I think that it sounds pretty cool. Just because I don’t listen to it doesn’t mean he can’t bring in an audience that doesn’t listen to EDM normally.”
According to Morris, it’s murph will not be the only performer on April 11. Four SMU fraternity DJs– Damon Pirko of Sigma Chi, Henry Foster and Alex Weil of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Pye Boden of Phi Delta Theta– will all perform sets to open the signature concert.
“They are all loved by their friends, have a strong fanbase and are prominent in the Dallas DJ scene,” Morris said. “The [Founders’ Day Weekend] team is excited to welcome them and showcase their talent to the rest of the SMU community.”
The official Founders’ Day Weekend itinerary calls the concert the perfect way to celebrate student pride, as well as an exciting evening of live music. Offner said it’s murph has great energy for the event.
“It’s music that gives you energy, finds a way to bring a smile to your face, and you will inevitably play on repeat for weeks afterwards,” Offner said.
The concert will be from 7-11 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, in Moody Coliseum.
