Though I did not personally have a ticket to this year's unfortunately-cancelled Welcome Week concert, I know that many students were disappointed at the unexpected hole in their Saturday night schedule. The annual Welcome Week concert is a highlight of many first years' move-in weekend, and a great way to unify the UVa community through music before classes start. The past couple of years, I have selfishly wished that the Welcome Week concert would align more closely with my musical tastes, which I know differ from those of others. Nevertheless, here are ten ideas I have for next year's Welcome Week concert that I believe are within the realm of possibility.

1. The Revivalists

This band, originally formed at Tulane University, has gotten a lot of airplay recently with their single "Wish I Knew You," though they have many other fantastic songs. They actually have performed in Charlottesville before, at a concert downtown during my first year that I unfortunately could not go to, and they seem to be steadily gaining in mainstream popularity enough that they would be a recognizable, but not unattainable, option for next year's Welcome Week concert.

2. Cage the Elephant

Their most recent album, Tell Me I'm Pretty, has many excellent songs, including their single "Mess Around," that make them an enticing future candidate for the Welcome Week concert. They performed an acoustic show in Charlottesville last April that passed me by for some reason, but I have a feeling that their sound would translate well from the smaller venues of downtown Cville into the energetic arena setting of JPJ.

3. Elle King

Ever since her delightfully infectious song "Ex's and Ohs" came out in 2014, I've been impressed with her musical talent and fierce stage presence. She would certainly rock JPJ if given the chance to perform at Welcome Week, and I hope that she has enough staying power in the music industry to continue releasing widely distributed and well-received material. I'd be quite excited to listen to whatever songs she currently has up her sleeve.

4. MGMT

I've only started listening to MGMT recently since the new Foster the People album came out, and to my surprise they have been around the music industry a lot longer than I thought. One of their bigger hits, "Electric Feel," dates back to the good old days of 2007, and here I was thinking it had just come out. In any event, MGMT's music appeals to any fan of the psychedelic alternative rock/pop genre, and after taking a break from recording in 2015, they're supposedly back with a new album set to release later this year. Even though they may not be the "flavor of the month" with most UVa students, I would be very excited if they came to Charlottesville for Welcome Week next year.

5. Shawn Mendes

He's a little poppier than most of the other artists on this list, and I confess that when he first came on the music scene I was a little skeptical that he would just be a flash in the pan. But I do actually enjoy many of his songs, and he seems to be having a moment where every song he releases becomes a radio hit. I have no doubt that by the time Welcome Week rolls around next year, he'll have another super catchy song ruling the airwaves that UVa students would love to hear live.

6. The Kooks

This is another band that has been musically relevant for much longer than I was aware, having released their first album way back in 2006 and currently touring to support their recent "greatest hits" compilation release. Considering that they fit perfectly into my normal music taste, I am surprised that I haven't become a fan of them earlier. With fun, rock/pop songs like "Bad Habit," the Kooks would absolutely be a crowdpleaser at Welcome Week next year if they were to perform.

7. Hozier

Most people know Hozier from his 2013 hit "Take Me To Church," but the more I listen to his lesser-known songs from his debut album, the more I'm convinced he is an extremely underrated songwriter in today's musical landscape. He may not have an extensive discography, but if he comes out with a new album next year, I'd be first in line to see him perform at UVa.

8. Janelle Monae

After listening to many of her songs for a class last semester, I became a big fan of her unique viewpoint on music. She often portrays specific characters in her songs, such as an android robot named Cindi Mayweather who often serves as her alter-ego, and her songs are both introspective and exciting. Last year, Monae also acted in Hidden Figures and Moonlight, so her career is clearly skyrocketing. However, despite six Grammy nominations, I believe her music is still somewhat underappreciated by mainstream audiences.

9. Foster the People

I'm a big fan of this band, even more so after the June release of their latest album, Sacred Hearts Club. Having seen them in concert twice, I can confirm that they have an absolutely electric stage presence that leaves the audience feeling energized, motivated, and joyful, which I think are along the lines of what UVa hopes to achieve with the Welcome Week concert every year. If they're still promoting their new album next year, I sincerely hope that they get a call to come perform amongst the hallowed hoops at JPJ.

10. Chance the Rapper

Though I am not overly familiar with his music, there was a huge social media push among the UVa community to get him to perform as the replacement concert when Future and Lil Yachty cancelled their planned Welcome Week concert this year. Based on the enthusiasm towards him that I've observed, he would obviously be a huge hit if he performed here during Welcome Week next year. If his team is as savvy enough on social media to give hope that the recent #GiveUVaAChance push would work, his imminent appearance at UVa is certainly in the cards.

At the recently rescheduled Rotunda Sing on Wednesday, August 30, UPC announced a replacement concert that will be occurring on September 15, presumably put together after this year's Welcome Week concert ceased to be. While I suppose this replacement concert won't serve quite the same purpose of welcoming first years to grounds before classes start, it will surely be a satisfying consolation for those that had tickets to the scheduled August 19 show. But even with this new addition to the UVa calendar, it's never too late to start thinking about acts for next year.