Rock band Donny Burns & The 3rd Degree made another appearance at THON 2025 on Saturday night. Donny Burns, the lead singer, and the rest of the crew have been successful playing at downtown State College bars.

The group started with “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy. They’re back in the City of THON, so fitting first choice. Next up, the band went straight into “Smooth” by Santana. Despite two great songs to open, the crowd was still warming up.

The third song the band played was “How Far We’ve Come” by Matchbox Twenty. Another electric song, but the crowd was just too tired from the Pep Rally to fully get into it. Still great music to have as we neared Sunday.

Continuing the trend of bangers, the quartet hit a rendition of the Killers’ “When You Were Young,” as the group lived up to their statement as the premier cover band in State College.

Subsequently, “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts and “Love Shack” by the B-52s, kept the theme of straight classics.

“Beat It” by Michael Jackson and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes changed the tempo a little bit and had a welcoming reaction from the crowd.

You would have thought the band was done, but no. “Chumbawamba” by Tubthumping and “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers kept emotions high.

Despite a loss to Canada in the Four Nationals Faceoff final, Team USA played gritty the whole tournament and earned the respect of everyone. The quartet played “Freebird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, surely in honor of the team.

“Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival was the perfect follow-up, keeping the now electrified crowd engaged. Donny Burns & The 3rd Degree wrapped up with none other than “Higher” by Creed. A perfect ending to a great performance.