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Finding summer music
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Throughout a colorfully dim venue, dance hall, bar, arena or stadium with rodche effects hinting at the music’s presence you will find fans, concertgoers and music lovers alike. Attendees will most likely be dressed in their appropriate outfits of vintage, punk, band shirts and hippie regalia with assorted accessories from jewelry to patches and from neckties to studded collars.They can be found cramming into their seats, pushing through the crowd or waiting impatiently at the bar to get one last drink before the show begins. There is an observable roar of the crowd and rush of adrenaline when the band steps onto stage to begin its first set.
After students finish their finals summer arrives and with it more free time to allocate toward pursuits of their passions. One of these passions is music, the persuit of which invovles attending shows.
If you listen to death metal, or only enjoy punk rock poetry or perhaps think that anything that isn’t classical is merely noise this account on music may not satisfy you. However, if you enjoy independent, alternative and progressive rock you’ve found the right commentary.
Either way I encourage you to seek out new bands and listen to new types of music, as well as enhance your overall degree of musical literacy.
This summer the independent rock scene is hardly setting foot in Boise.
To find yourself at a more contemporary progressive band’s performance may require a trip to Salt Lake, Washington or California.
This is not to say that good music will not be played in Boise, but it’s something that must be scouted out through trial and error, and don’t judge a band by its title.
Built To Spill, an acclaimed postmodern indie rock band that formed in Boise, hasn’t scheduled a tour date in Idaho but this doesn’t mean it, or any other unscheduled band, won’t be performing here.
Finding good music is something you need to stay on your toes for; a group that you love or a group that none of your friends have heard of but you listen to ritually may show up unexpectedly in the most unlikely of places.
Other bands have made their way through Boise without having a scheduled appearance, such as Minus the Bear, These Arms are Snakes and The Mars Volta.
To check out a band that is getting popular but not pushing the envelope for stardom, I recommend two strategies: One I’ve already mentioned – set aside some time and take a short vacation. Indulge.
Two, check out what bands the band you’re looking at plays with. It may be opening for a more mainstream group. The Mars Volta opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers when they came to the Taco Bell Arena.
Opening bands are often left to be announced and can change throughout tours.
There are also a number of music festivals and larger-scaled performances this summer that you may want to allocate some time for.
Aqueduct and Minus the Bear will be performing in Seattle for part of the Sasquatch Music Festival and the Dave Matthews Band will be playing at the Gorge August 31 through September 2.
If you insistently desire to attend a show of a more mainstream band they are easier to find.
Will someone pass The Big Easy please? You can also sign up for the mailing lists for both bands and venues that will keep you informed on when and where performances will be and what groups will be performing.
Seek out performances by bands of all genres of music and attend shows by bands you’ve never heard of at venues you’ve never been to. You only live once.
MAT LA RUE
Culture Writer