Organiser Jess Holmes said the concert had taken a few weeks to organise after the idea was suggested at a Vote Local workshop.
Those who were enrolled to vote could get in free and others could enrol with the help of an on-site electoral officer.
With voting in local body elections to start in late September, it was the "first time in a number of years" they would be held while students were in Dunedin.
"We want to enlighten them that it's happening and that they can have a say in it," Ms Holmes said.
Sammy's managing director Sam Carroll hoped the event would attract a few hundred people and "empower the student body to actively take part in the local body elections".
He believed students suffered from a lack of representation in the Dunedin community and wanted to change that.
Elections New Zealand electoral enrolment centre national manager Murray Wicks said the idea was a "good initiative".
"If it can engage people in the electoral process and get them to complete an enrolment form, that's great."
The concert, which features Ink Mathematics, Oleh, Martha Hill and the Mineshafts, Disco Lizard, Ashton and Mr Aaron Hawkins, starts at 8pm.
Enrolling to vote closes on August 20, voting papers will be sent out from September 17 to 22 and voting closes on October 9.
