Every spring, an electrifying love of music and DIY ethos galvanizes the station and surges across the airwaves. Flyers are posted. Banners are hung. Gear is loaded in. Vibrant hues blossom from lights that dance off the stage and unfurl across the handcrafted wares on the vendors’ tables.

From electronic beats that draw you to the dancefloor to propulsive indie rock and avant-garde post-hardcore, Corefest creates a space to come together to celebrate the passion of the artists in our community–whether they’re rocking out onstage or showing off their handcrafted merch. It even gives you a chance to see our marvelous Core DJs in the flesh!

Corefest is our station’s largest annual event since its inception in 2012. The first Corefest was hosted in the parking lot of George Street Co-op here in New Brunswick. Over the years, it featured notable performances, including A Great Big Pile of Leaves in 2016, The Hotelier in 2017, Japanese Breakfast in 2018, Screaming Females in 2022, and Frankie Cosmos in 2024. The Core wouldn’t be the same without keeping a pulse on extraordinary bands in the local scene. Jersey’s own Flycatcher, Tula Vera, Hot Dress, and Daddy’s Closet have also performed at Corefests over the years.

No Corefest is the same as the last, and that’s how we like to fly. Each generation of volunteers and performers leaves their own lasting mark. Each zine tells a different story; collecting them offers a small glimpse into the artistic hands that pass down the tradition year after year. Or take the Bannermania of 2024–if you attended, you might have been mesmerized by the retro title cards bouncing behind the stage. Former DJ Matt The Blender learned how to design and program those in a manner of weeks, simply because he noticed a lack of exciting visuals and wanted to kick his love of the game into action.

It’s impossible to leave without feeling inspired. Whether this has been your first Corefest or your fourteenth, it’s awesome that you’re here. Say hi, make 6-7 memories, and party like it’s 1999.

The Core Spirit

Stepping into the studio on the Rutgers’ Livingston Campus feels like walking into the cockpit of a spaceship bathed in warm light. Vinyl records and CDs line the walls, and a half dozen Godzilla figurines smile down at you from their lookout on top of the radio equipment. Outside, the mosaic of stickers spread across every conceivable surface in the lounge offer a subtle glimpse into the decades-long history of The Core. The Core’s DIY approach is reflected not only in these nooks, but also in its commitment to alternative music broadcasting, community involvement, and individual empowerment for members of the station.

If you’ve ever tuned into The Core, you’ve most likely been swept away by the diverse range of music and creativity that our station has to offer: from underground indie rock anthems to dreamy shoegaze ballads and beyond. Each hour of a DJ’s set acts as a beacon, shining a light into the sphere of their unique music taste (and any listener that calls in!). There’s rarely anything as satisfying as hearing a deep cut from your favorite artist playing over the radio, which is something not every college radio station offers.

Yet our DJs don’t stop there: they’ve designed everything from the station’s website to every flyer, sticker, tote, tee, and button you see. We even have a dedicated team that raids the production studio to get funky with imaginative announcements about concerts and events happening around the area. Our motto “many voices, one station” is something we embody to our core: without the dedication, teamwork, and creativity of our DJs, our station wouldn’t be the same.

This would not be made possible without our commitment to the local community and the relationship we have with it. Each week, we offer news and public affairs segments to bring attention to pressing issues happening around the area. Our events department thrives off hosting community events like Corenucopia, Winter Vendor Fairs, coffeehouse open mics, and have even volunteered at the Tour De Franklin in Somerset, NJ.

And… what’s that? Did someone say Corefest?

The Waffle Stompers, Corefest 2012

Mumblr, Corefest 2013

Bathing in Chunks, Corefest 2019, Photo: Dustin Niles.

Gabby's World, Corefest 2019. Photo: Dustin Niles