DJs perform at the Fox Theater on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Lou Leclercq/CU Independent)
The University of Colorado Boulder’s Interfraternity Council on the Hill hosted its first boiler room event at the Fox Theatre on April 17, blending live music, dancing and philanthropy into one night. The event’s ultimate goal was to fundraise for men’s mental health through Brought to Reality, a Littleton-based nonprofit providing free wellness resources for youth and promoting suicide prevention.
“Our goal as a council is to support those struggling with mental illness actively and to encourage open conversations across our community,” said Robert Gosser, the IFC president.
Partnering with Brought to Reality made the event not only a concert, but a meaningful stand for mental health awareness.
The IFC wanted to create a fundraiser that was new and different – something that would resonate deeply with students while supporting an important cause. Music felt like the natural medium for Boulder.
“We wanted to try something new that would resonate with our members while supporting a worthwhile cause,” Gosser said. “Music is powerful, as it brings people together, and we knew that by showcasing our own community’s artists, we could create a unique and meaningful experience. The boiler room format gave us the perfect atmosphere to have a great night while being proud of everything we put together.”
Brought to Reality has been a partner of the IFC since 2023 and regularly speaks at Greek 101 new member seminars, helping normalize mental health conversations and empowering students to support one another.
On the day of the boiler room set, the weather was not on their side, as the last snow of the season came to cover the Flatirons. Regardless, students packed into the Fox Theatre, ready for a night of beats and purpose. House music, early 2000s throwbacks and even some dubstep filled the air.
“We were surprised by how many people showed up early and stayed engaged all night, especially considering the poor weather,” Gosser said. “The DJs and artists went above and beyond. Some sets felt like something you’d expect from a professional show, not just a student event.”
The night raised over $3,000, all donated directly to Brought to Reality. Among the artists making their debut at the Fox were TJ Green and Johnny Galloway, who perform together as Teej Music.
“My heart was beating a million miles an hour,” Green said. “But hearing my name being screamed from the crowd made me feel like I was on top of the world.”
Both Green and Galloway have deep personal ties to the cause.
“Music is fundamental for supporting mental health,” Galloway said. “My sister passed away in May of 2022, and music has been the tool for me since then. I have done a lot of work and research on how important music therapy is, and I can confidently say music is one of the most healing things in the world.”
“Music is huge for mental health,” Green added. “Especially for me personally. I have always found music as a source of escape from your own head and a way to express yourself truly. I’ve always dealt with anxiety and stress but when listening to music, making music, enjoying live music, and playing live – it’s always been there to help me.”
Bringing philanthropy and music together created not just a fun night, but a healing one. The IFC hopes this is just the beginning.
“We know that future IFC councils will learn from this year, improve the format, and continue building something even bigger,” Gosser said. “We’re excited to see this event grow into a campus tradition that makes an impact year after year.”
There’s even talk of adding a headliner in the future to further elevate the event.
“Regardless of scale, what matters most is staying true to the mission: Creating community while making a difference,” Gosser said.
For the IFC, the year’s turnout showed just how willing students are to show up for each other and for a cause that matters.
“I think it’s important for the music scene to get involved in these kinds of initiatives because everyone likes music whether it’s soft indie rock or super heavy dubstep,” Green said. “There’s so much diversity when it comes to music and it binds people together, and when you have important philanthropy events with music everyone is there for the music and a good cause.”
Contact CU Independent Assistant Arts Editor Lou Leclercq at louison.leclercq@colorado.edu
