iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Heads to Madison Square Garden

Justin Bieber performs at the 2016 Jingle Ball at Staples Center on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Los Angeles. Photo by Chris Pizzello/AP.
Justin Bieber performs at the 2016 Jingle Ball at Staples Center on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016, in Los Angeles. Photo by Chris Pizzello/AP.

By Alexa Bianchi

Staff Reporter

The annual iHeartRadio Jingle Ball is set to take place at Madison Square Garden on Friday, Dec. 9 and there is a ton of hype surrounding the star-studded concert as it approaches.

“Jingle Ball is a concert where all the biggest names in music come together on one stage and perform their most popular songs,” said Z100 intern, Michelle Miloscia.

The celebrity line up includes: Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, The Chainsmokers, Fifth Harmony, Diplo, Meghan Trainor, Niall Horan, Ellie Goulding, Charlie Puth, Daya, DNCE, Hailee Steinfeld and Lukas Graham.

Tickets for the show are in high demand as it sold out in just a few days and there are very limited ways to obtain them. Call-in contests are one of the few methods left in obtaining tickets to the sold out event. Ticket re-sell vendors are asking for any price up to $10,000 for one ticket.

For the chance to win tickets, listeners can also enter different contests on Z100’s website or show up to a pop-up event where big names in radio are going to be giving away tickets.

“Listeners will call nonstop for the five hours I’m at work,” said Miloscia. “People will really do anything for these tickets. It’s going to be a great show so I can’t really blame them.”

One of the few lucky Z100 call-in winners was Sacred Heart sophomore Alexa Hotchkiss.

“Winning tickets is extremely hard. Before I won, I used to think it was
basically impossible. I have tried so many times to win a contest for Z100 and I was never lucky enough,” said Hotchkiss. “Altogether, I probably called a few hundred times.”

One of the most anticipated performers at the concert is former One Direction member, Niall Horan, as he begins his solo career.

“I’m most excited for Niall’s performance. I think going from seeing him as a part of One Direction and their large production, to seeing him by himself singing a song that is personal to him will be awesome,” said junior Emily LoCascio. “It gives a different understanding of who he is as a musician and as a person. It’s a different mindset and I can’t wait to see how he handles it going forward.”

Some fans are most excited to see Fifth Harmony as they finish up their year of touring.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Fifth Harmony’s performance,” said freshman Kyra Phelan. “They’ve put out some really good songs lately and they give off a really fun energy.”

For those who cannot attend the
concert, fans can tune in to the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball at 7:30 p.m. on
cwtv.com.

“Every year I try to get tickets, but I never do. I always watch the live stream from my bed instead,” said junior Christina Gentile. “It’s kind of like a tradition for me. I hope to actually go one year though.”

Before the show from 12 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Z100 will also host the Coca-Cola All Access Lounge at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

“The Coca-Cola All Access Lounge is a pre-show to the Jingle Ball concert and it’s a free event,” said Miloscia. “The show is general admission, but the first 100 people with a Coca-Cola product get to cut the line, which is pretty cool.”

Performers at the pre-show event will include Sabrina Carpenter, Jordan Fisher, Tinashe, Jacob Whitesides, Laura Marano, Jack & Jack, Hey Violet, Jake Miller, Daya and Los 5.

“This is my first Jingle Ball experience and I’m so ready for it,” said LoCascio. “I’ve had my tickets since October and it could not come any faster. I can’t wait to see my favorite performers hit the stage all in one night.”

Staff reporter Alexa Bianchi is currently working as an intern at Z-100, the sponsor of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball. 

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