The thought of graduation always seemed to float around in my head, unattached and intangible, a fat fuzzy cloud of tassels and square hats, somewhere far off in the distance. Then, all of a sudden it was just here and that just scares me.
So, instead of looking forward, I want to take a moment to look back and chart how I’ve grown (but, uhh, not in height . . . I’m still 5’1′). Rather, I want to share what I have learned about music here in Boston so that you lucky fools who get to stay in college can milk the best out of the music scene in town.
The Paradise, Agganis and House of Blues have some of the best shows in Boston, but it doesn’t hurt to venture off campus. Cambridge is hot for a couple of different reasons, numero uno being The Middle East. Small and grungy but still roomy enough to handle a mosh pit, it has become one of my favorite venues around.
The Middlesex Lounge, also in Cambridge looks like nothing special ‘-‘- it’s about the size of a classroom ‘-‘- but definitely worth checking out. The venue features different DJs spinning all types of music throughout the week, so rage seven nights if you can still get up for class. Warning: wear flats or be prepared to murder your feet.
Tommy Doyle’s in Cambridge is one of the biggest bars in the city. This shack in Harvard Square (it literally looks like a house) has some of the best worst live music, which makes for a fun night out. Who doesn’t want to get drunk to the sounds of some garage band trying to cover ‘Hot In Here’?
Scullers’ Jazz Club, Boston’s #1 Jazz club, has hosted performers such as Tony Bennett, Norah Jones and Michael Buble. Even if you go on an off-night (and by off-night I mean good jazz rather than great jazz), the view overlooking the Charles River and Boston skyline will make it an exciting and memorable experience.
Wonderbar in Allston is a good spot, which will come as a shock, unless you’ve been there to experience it. The DJ’s know just what to spin if you’re looking for rock, dance, hip-hop, new or old. I’ve done the club thing, paying ridiculous cover charges for some pretty weak DJ’s, but the price and music at Wonderbar make it home to some of the best times to be found.
So go out, try new places, see new bands. Either way, there’s no better time than college to grab a few friends, a few beers and pray your feet still work in the morning.
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