Escape the cold with upcoming concerts in Cincinnati
By Anna Williams, Staff Writer
December 1, 2007 | 4 p.m.
Students are finally back home for their 45 day winter break, and those from Cincinnati know that there’s no better way to embrace the snowy season in the city like getting away from it, specifically by going to concerts. Brimming with groupies and loud music, these concerts will more likely have students sweating than shivering.
Lucky for Cincinnati residents, there are plenty of shows to attend this winter. The city has scores of local bands performing nightly at the neighborhood haunts, including the Northside Tavern, the Blue Note, the Southgate House and the Mad Hatter. Check out their websites to see the dates and times of upcoming performances. Many of these shows are free of charge or just a small cover charge at the door.
With shows to fit most any budget, students will not have to sacrifice to see some live music before they head back to Athens. But for those students willing to pay a fair amount to see more well-known musicians, there are many coming to the area.
The following is a list of the more popular acts coming to the city that should give Cincinnati music fans their fix for the winter.
Peter, Bjorn and John (Sunday, December 2): The trio is to perform at Bogarts with the Besnard Lakes. This indie rock trio that hails from Sweden made it on the US mainstream with their single “Young Folks.” Advance tickets are $19.50; tickets at the door will cost $22.
Papa Roach (Thursday, December 6): Get out your hair gel and studded cuffs. The band will perform at Bogarts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.50 in advance or $23 at the door.
Chris Brown, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy (Thursday, December 6): These stars are set to perform at the US Bank Arena as a part of Ford’s Up-Close and Personal Holiday Tour. Finally put those soulja boy moves to good use. The show starts at 7 p.m. Prices range from $39.75-$69.75.
Straylight Run (Saturday, December 8): This alt-indie rock band consists of former Taking Back Sunday members John Nolan and Mark O’Connell after they decided the mainstream pop rock was not for them. The Color Fred (also a side project of Taking Back Sunday ex-members), Dear and the Headlights and Cassino will join them at the Madison Theater. Best of all, the show only costs a mere $12.
Margot and the Nuclear So and So’s (Satruday, December 8): Ohio University brought this band to Athens last spring and now they are back in the state again. Their sound is a mixture of Death Cab for Cutie-esque melody with lyrics of drugs, love and everything rock and roll. The Turnbull ACs will accompany the band for this show that will take place at the Mad Hatter starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10.
Three Days Grace (Wednesday, December 12): Their first hit “I Hate (Everything About You)” brought TDG to the radio in 2003. They just finished a tour with Breaking Benjamin and Seether, so now they are back on the road for their own headlining tour. The band will be playing at Bogarts at 7:30p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance or $28 the day of the show.
Motion City Soundtrack, Mae, Anberlin and Metro Station (Thursday, December 13): Before Motion City Soundtrack sets off to Australia to accompany Incubus and The Offspring on the Soundwave Festival tour, they are coming to Ohio as one of their last stops in the States. Each of these bands has their own sound, blending pop punk with heavy lyrics. Presented by MTVU, these acts will take the stage at Bogarts starting at 6:30 p.m. Advance sale tickets are $20.50, but tickets sold the day of the show will be $22.00.
No matter what genre of music students are into, there will certainly be a show to attend and a band to be fixated on during this winter vacation. When the movies get old and the parties get sparse, students can put those spare dollars towards a night of ear-pounding loudness and screaming fans to make their break complete.
---
Visit the Ticketmaster Web site to purchase tickets for any of the shows listed above.
For more information on concerts in the area, check out CincinnatiShows.com.