Written by: Htet Myint
Riley Clemmons, a Nashville-based Christian recording artist whose top song, “Fighting for Me,” has garnered more than 160 million streams worldwide, will appear on campus next weekend as IGNITE Live’s featured artist. Clemmons’ most recent single, “Broken Prayers,” has received more than 56 million global streams. According to her website, Clemmons was nominated for female artist of the year at the 9th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards in 2021.
IGNITE Live ’24 will unfold within the Iles P.E. Center on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. The annual event is reminiscent of a Christian late-night show and promises guests a 90-minute extravaganza complete with games and live music from the band 2am Curfew.
IGNITE Live is produced by IGNITE, a student-led organization under the School of Journalism and Communication. IGNITE creates a diverse array of productions, aiming to catalyze campus-wide conversations about difficult topics, according to its website. The website also states that the students group intends to provide an outlet for students and make each production entertaining, impactful, informative and Christ-centered. In past years, IGNITE Live has featured distinguished individuals such as Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams, Grammy-nominated Christian artist Cory Asbury and film producer, director and actor Alex Kendrick.
Cindy Hernandez, junior mass communications media production major and co-producer for IGNITE Live ’24, said Clemmons’ name came up last year in conversations with Asbury’s agent.
“It was important for us to not only obtain someone recognizable, but someone that brings something to the table when it comes to stage presence,” Hernandez said. “It’s our first year bringing a female artist, which I’m super excited about.”
Derek Aubin, sophomore mass communication media production major and assistant producer for IGNITE Live ’24, said games will give the audience a chance to learn more about Clemmons.
“Think Jimmy Fallon…Kimmel, Conan, and any of those late-night talk shows where they have a musical guest,” Aubin said.
According to Hernandez, IGNITE has been elevating its production value and aiming to deliver an even more captivating experience by allocating more funds toward staging, lighting, decorations and ambiance.
When asked about how IGNITE Live will look different this year compared to shows in the past, Matthew Taylor, junior mass communication media productions major and co-producer/host for IGNITE Live ’24, said he is planning to bring summer camp energy and excitement to the show. He hopes to use his experience working at Indian Creek Summer Camp to ensure IGNITE Live ’24 is an event people look forward to.
“I’m very passionate about Southern,” Taylor said. “I love this school truly, and being at a university that doesn’t have competitive sports. … It’s up to things like IGNITE and other groups to really set the culture on campus.”
Tickets for IGNITE Live ’24 can be purchased at southern.edu/ignite. Southern students, staff and alumni can attend for free. General admission tickets start at $15, with family packages available. IGNITE will run promotional events and giveaways leading up to the event on its Instagram, @ignitesau.
