A Columbus Homecoming

Diverse music, exhilarating energy, and an unforgettable night. 

Adam Paddock, a Columbus-raised artist and OSU graduate, will return to his hometown to headline the third annual COLUMBUS AGAINST THE WORLD (CATW) concert. 

In March of 2023, Paddock took the stage at the Newport Music Hall, with nearly 1000 people in the crowd, hosting COLUMBUS AGAINST THE WORLD: a celebration of the Columbus music scene. Adam was amazed and incredibly grateful for the support and passion shown by those in attendance, which made the night far exceed his expectations. With a second successful year in 2024, CATW is back for a third year to unite the Columbus community and recognize talented Ohio-rooted musicians: Adam Paddock, KODA, and Kikko Mai.

Adam Paddock

Adam Paddock is a Nashville-based, alternative-pop singer/songwriter, with an artistic style that intertwines explosive energy and intimacy. For Paddock, people are the point, and it shows. It is evident that he lives by this saying as he consistently puts on memorable and meaningful performances for his supporters. One fan described their time at one of Adam’s previous concerts as a “great mix of chill acoustics and upbeat bangers.” Paddock has continued traveling the country this year, debuting his ‘Sweet Ohio Light’ album, following a sensational 23-date tour in 2024. 

KODA

High school friends – Jake Klausner, Jackson Buss, and Jake Brew – bonded through a love of rock music, forming the initial KODA band. In the following years, Jake Juenger, Brian Foster, and Nolan Barbre joined the crew, bringing the band to its current six members. Together, these artists construct a unique sound, merging the intensity of classic rock with the soulfulness of country blues. KODA’s head-turning performances caught the attention of OSU students, the Columbus community, and news outlets, spreading the band’s name and helping them establish a strong musical presence throughout Ohio. The band is currently working on their first full-length EP to portray the journey they have traveled together as friends and bandmates. 

Kikko Mai

Twenty-year-old, Kikko Mai, is a singer/songwriter currently attending Belmont University, majoring in songwriting and double-minoring in music business and Spanish. Realizing her passion for performing during a fourth-grade talent show, Kikko took to open mic nights to build confidence, and later began performing covers at local Columbus venues during high school. Since releasing a five-song EP in 2020, Kikko Mai has continuously dropped multiple singles every year and is set to launch her second EP in 2025. Kikko’s work symbolizes the ‘beautiful and sometimes painfully awkward’ adventure that is adulthood. Creating a welcoming community for her supporters, Kikko’s music is meant for all, but especially for women and the queer community. 

COLUMBUS AGAINST THE WORLD: Year 3

On March 22, 2025, the Newport Music Hall will be overtaken by the infectious energy brought by Adam Paddock, KODA, Kikko Mai, and those in the crowd. Kikko Mai will kick off the night at 7:00 PM, followed by KODA, and wrapped up by Adam Paddock. Tickets are available to purchase for $20 on the PromoWest website, and the concert is open to all ages. Additionally, the first two-hundred people in the door will receive a free COLUMBUS AGAINST THE WORLD shirt. This celebration of Columbus’s own is the perfect beginning or end to your Saturday night.