Turnstile rocks KU campus as Day on the Hill returns after two-decade absence

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Turnstile performs at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

After a nearly 20-year absence, Day on the Hill returned Tuesday to the University of Kansas campus – to the delight of thousands of music fans.

Day on the Hill’s inaugural year in 1992 featured Pearl Jam. This year, multiple Grammy-winning rock band Turnstile headlined the event.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Turnstile performs at the Day on the Hill concert at the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

The event took place on the hill overlooking KU’s football stadium. It was the first such concert since 2007, according to KU officials.

The restarting of the concert series is part of KU’s plan to use the football stadium and the area around it for entertainment events that go beyond football. The new Gateway Project district is expected to produce new revenue streams to support the university’s operations.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Turnstile performs at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

Fans cheer for the band Slayyyter at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Die Spitz performs at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Fans mosh at Day on the Hill at the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Austin rock group Die Spitz performs at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Fans line up for merchandise at the Day on the Hill concert on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

The band Turnstile performs at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Fans mosh at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

A crowd gathers on the University of Kansas campus for the Day on the Hill concert on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.

photo by: Shawn Valverde

Fans mosh at Day on the Hill on the University of Kansas campus on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026.