MACKENZIE SMITH / CONTRIBUTOR

Snapchat filters, skinny jeans and pastel pink defined 2016. As 2025 turned into 2026, one thing became clear on social media: 2016 was making a comeback. People began reposting old photos, while the hazy blue-purple filter from the era started reappearing more frequently. Even trends like the “Mannequin Challenge” began resurfacing on TikTok.

2016 was a complicated year, highlighting everything from the release of  “Stranger Things” to the deaths of David Bowie and Prince. Vine was at its peak, Donald Trump was elected as president and the Cubs won their  first  World Series in 108 years. The real-time view on 2016 was often seen as chaotic or negative, but perceptions  seem to have shifted.  Much of the current trend is driven by nostalgia from that time according to Toreros.

USD    students debated if 2016 is truly  making a    comeback, or if it’s simply   another  passing   online trend. The recently announced Lollapalooza setlist only adds to the discussion.

Lollapalooza is a four-day music festival that features over 170 artists across nine stages. This year, the festival is featuring many artists such as The Chainsmokers, Zara Larsson, 5 Seconds of Summer and Lorde, whose music has long been associated with the 2010s. 

USD sophomore Charlie Atteberry is originally from Chicago where the festival takes place. Atteberry stated his thoughts on the lineup.

“I’m looking forward to this year’s ‘Lollapalooza’ lineup,” Atteberry said. “I’m really excited to see Lil Uzi Vert because I  listened to him a bunch in middle school and it will be fun to relive my childhood a bit.”

Like  Atteberry,  many  students enjoy listening to music from their childhood, giving music to play a major role in pushing  this trend into popularity. 

Much of the music from 2016 is  reemerging. Whether it is through artists releasing new songs or older tracks regaining traction, these songs are increasingly being played at parties, in college settings and even in everyday life, reinforcing the return of that era’s influence.

One artist who has recently reemerged is Zara Larsson, who rose to international fame in 2015 with the release of her song “Lush Life.” By 2016, Larsson had established    herself as a global pop star with much of her music being tied to the year. Her momentum slowed in the  years that followed, leading some to label it a “flop era.” In 2025, however, she rebranded and has since experienced a viral resurgence.

USD sophomore Abigail Trevellian talked about Zara Larsson’s recent  surge of popularity.

“Zara Larsson gaining popularity in 2026 is so bringing back 2016,” Trevellian commented. “It’s because of her clothes, her music videos, the dolphin memes.”

2016 has even become relevant at USD, with many trends appearing on campus. Fraternities and sororities have begun hosting 2016-themed parties and events. Even the official USD Instagram account posted about what campus life was like in 2016.

USD junior Ella Fitzpatrick is the Vice President of External Affairs in Kappa Alpha Theta. Pirhala commented on the role 2016 is playing in Greek life.

“Our philanthropy event this year for Kappa Alpha Theta is 2026 is  the new 2016, Theta’s Got Talent Back to 2016,” Fitzpatrick said. “[Unseriousness] is what we kind of want to channel in our Theta’s Got Talent theme. We want to go back to 2016.”

USD   freshman   Salama   Toure observed how trends from 2016 have  reappeared  on campus.

“I’ve seen a lot of microtrends,” Toure said. “A lot of people have been wearing capris and halter tops. I also think our climate, I mean we’re in   California and 2016 was like palm trees and beach so I feel like it’s more prominent here than anywhere else.”

While      it is    evident   that  many aspects of 2016 are reappearing in  the new year, some people believe this resurgence is simply a passing trend. 

USD first-year Vivi Garibay shared her perspective on the phenomenon.

“I don’t think it’s actually back,” Garibay said. “I think people confuse it for 2014 and at least online it seems so ingenuine. But in terms of music, hell yeah, I wanna hear the ‘Black Beatles’ I wanna see the ‘Mannequin Challenge’ again. I think there’s a resurfacing of  certain  trends but I don’t think it’s   necessarily back.”

2016 existed before the pandemic, making it seem like a simpler time. While a lot happened during the year, both positive and negative, the year is being reflected on for the vibes at the time, and  the nostalgia from it.

Fitzpatrick shared how 2016 compares to 2026.

“I think the reason why it’s trending is because we’re at a very serious point in our life, especially in the United States, I think everything that’s going on is culminating and adding up,” Fitzpatrick said. “We want to go back to   that    perspective  where we  didn’t have any responsibilities and life was a little unserious.”

Whether 2026 truly becomes the new 2016 or not, Toreros are enjoying the   return   of  its aesthetic and the sense of nostalgia it brings to their daily lives.

The vibes of 2016 have made a booming comeback. Photo courtesy of @bonethorn/Instagram