This is an edited version of a story originally published on USA TODAY College.

Deerhunter’s art-rock noise reverberated off the domed ceiling of D.C.‘s Sixth & I Synagogue, under which the capital’s college radio community united for a first-ever collaborative concert this week.

WVAU in conjunction with University of Maryland-College Park’s WMUC and George Washington University’s WRGW joined musical forces to bring ambient punk rockers Deerhunter back to D.C. for the first time since October 2010 in the unprecedented District College Radio Presents show. (Georgetown University’s WGTB did not officially participate, though the station helped promote the event. AU’s Student Union Board and Media Board organizations were also pivotal in making this event possible.)

“Everyone had really interesting events going on, but there was never really an initiative to put these forces together. And especially because we are working with people who have really cool interests and [are] booking people and have these awesome ideas … I just wanted to meet other people from the stations and see what we could do together.” Paula Mejia, general manager of WRGW and a senior at GW, said.

The April 22 show also marked the first night of Deerhunter’s latest string of shows playing material off their newest record Monomania, set to be released May 7 and available to stream until then via NPR Music. It was only the second time Deerhunter performed since August 2011 — the first being a mysterious, noisy performance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Experiencing Deerhunter’s performance was an hour-long visit to frontman Bradford Cox’s strange, wonderful mind, and the Sixth & I Synagogue setting only added to the spiritual vibes. Deerhunter opened their set with a warped jam that led into the trance-inducing “Cryptograms,” from their 2007 record of the same name, covering the surfaces of the venue with noise and distortion. Cox donned a black wig and a white cheetah-print blouse hung on his lanky frame which bent around the stage over his guitar, mic and tambourine (maracas also made an appearance).

The trance continued through the main set closer, lead single and title track off the upcoming Monomania. Though a bit obvious to end with the new single, the song is perfect for that role, with continuous shouts “mono-monomania” and loud, psychedelic droning that likely left ears ringing for days. Before the song ended, Cox slinked off the stage leaving his band members to continue blowing minds (and ears).

New York’s experimental electronic artist MAS YSA was the first opener, appropriately setting the night’s tone with sampling choirs and Counting Crow’s emotional “Colorblind” piano track over dance beats. It’s easy to see why Deerhunter picked the second act Jackson Scott to open their upcoming shows; his odd presence and ambient rock is obviously Cox-inspired, though no where near as fully formed yet — Deerhunter’s soundcheck was noticeably more complete.

Fortunately the headliners weeded out any negativity and promptly set the audience in an hour-long daze.

A ticket to the hypnotic performance was much coveted and understandably so. WRGW GM Mejia said, “Our old GM posted on my Facebook that people were selling tickets on Craigslist, and he’s like, ‘There’s a black market for tickets. Good job.’ We made it.”

View more photos from the event over at Nicole Brunet’s Photography Facebook page.