This post was updated April 9 at 4:41 p.m.

Dance Marathon’s live performers transformed Pauley Pavilion into a nocturnal musical stomping ground for a cause.

With its rock ‘n’ roll sound, Lot 3 jazzed up Dance Marathon with 11 hours left in the event. Set to a backdrop of green and yellow stripes and spirals, the band took the stage around 8 p.m. on Saturday, sporting drums and electric guitars in casual attire. Lead singer and fourth-year theater student EJ Chen flipped his long hair to numerous guitar solos along with a mix of originals and covers, including a rendition of “Valerie” by Mark Ronson. Boasting the motto “Funk’s not dead,” the band re-energized restless dancers with flashing lights and head-banging energy.

Indie funk band Minor Car Accident later graced the stage in outfits reminiscent of prom, from blazers to sparkly dresses. The band opened its set with a cover of Frank Ocean’s “Lost,” tweaking the lyrics to “Lost in the thrill of it all / Miami, Amsterdam / UCLA lost.” Lead singer Uma Kumar, a third-year economics student, jumped into a soulful rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” with saxophone adding jazz undertones to the band’s soft rock sound. The band wrapped its set with Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” honoring Freddie Mercury, who died from complications related to AIDS.

The 9 p.m. morale dance marked a theme change from Wild West to “Despicable Me and Beat ‘SC” with a video presentation of grumpy Gru and his army of minions. Adorned in a glistening pink top to match her vibrant pink hair, third-year ethnomusicology student Sophia Bacino followed, her husky voice and foot stomping punctuating the uptempo beats. The steady rhythm and snippets of “Latch” by Disclosure and “YOU’RE THE ONE” by Kaytranada inspired energetic dancing and mosh pits while members of the Pediatric AIDS Coalition dressed in blue and yellow jumped on stage.

[Related: Pediatric AIDS Coalition starts Dance Marathon back in person at Pauley Pavilion]

“(A theme change) gives a fresh perspective,” said third-year communication student and green team dancer Grace Dimond. “When I change my outfit, I’m like, ‘Alright, new me for the next few hours.’ It feels like a fresh start, like I’m starting over and getting back that initial excitement that I had in the beginning.”

Free Arlo took the stage at 10:23 p.m. with a setlist that included their unreleased original, “Too Far Gone.” The indie pop artist then performed the Jonas Brothers’ “Year 3000” set against a backdrop of undulating flowers in cyan, magenta and yellow before the lighting shifted to a deep blue with hovering white concentric circles as they sang their latest single, “ur bf sux.” After Free Arlo exited the stage, the crowd continued to jump to the music from the speakers, including Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch.”

Following another morale dance break, artist Buppy. began their setlist at 11:14 p.m. With upbeat synth-based tunes like “hot B!” and “miranda!”, the Utah native brought energetic movements and flashing lights to Pauley Pavilion. After reassuring participants they could enjoy themselves no matter the crowd size, Buppy. said a substantial amount of money had been raised so far, reminding everyone of why they had gathered in the first place.

[Related: Dance Marathon 2023]

As the clock struck midnight, PAC ushered in Easter Sunday with an impromptu nondenominational egg hunt. Music blared as team members scurried around Pauley, collecting as many hidden eggs as possible. Following the egg hunt, students puttered around the dance floor awaiting the next performer. Many students left the arena momentarily to catch their breath. But when student band MyVeronica took the stage at 12:36 a.m., marathoners found their way back to the floor.

Even after the electric performance from MyVeronica – albeit not without some technical difficulties with the instrument monitors – the long hours caught up to several Dance Marathoners, as their moves turned slothful and their postures slumped. Still, third-year world arts and culture student Aidan Brooks highlighted music’s ability to transform his headspace. While he did not necessarily accredit all of his drive to the music, he said it had a positive effect on his overall disposition.

Third-year communication student and green team dancer Georgia Figueiredo said the event brought her closer to the UCLA community, while simultaneously introducing her to PAC and its cause. Dimond said the Dance Marathon embodies UCLA’s sense of camaraderie when the student body comes together to support causes such as PAC.

“Dance Marathon shows the spirit that UCLA students have to support causes and support one another,” Dimond said. “A lot of people are here supporting their friends who are a part of PAC, and that’s really special … and also shows that people care about giving back.”