It is a given that all of us here at the Arts and Entertainment section are big music buffs. From rock and roll to indie to EDM, we love it all, or at least someone in our section does. If it’s got a beat and melody, in the words of Liz Lemon, we “want to go to there.” Of course listening to our favorite albums in our rooms or on the way to class is a great part of the day, but nothing can beat going to a live show. So when great bands come to the area,  we want to know about them, and we hope that you do too. Here are some of the announced shows we are looking forward to in Ithaca and the surrounding area this semester. Start harassing that friend of yours with a car right now.

AER

Feb. 7, The Haunt

AER is really one of those bands that is hard to describe. They have a reggae sound with distinct rap vocals; unlike the harsh rap of artists like Odd Future and Busta Rhymes, these guys want to spit and relax. AER’s style is synonymous with flat brimmed hats paired with khaki shorts and lacrosse pinnies. The duo, 19-year-olds Carter and David from Wayland, Mass., switch back and forth on their tracks from soft and soulful singing to catchy rap lyrics for the college crowd with songs like “Feel I Bring” and “Floats My Boat.” “Fresh AER Movement” is coming to Ithaca for the second time this academic year in February. This concert should be a party, minus the sticky frat house floor.

Black Francis

Feb. 9, The Haunt

Kurt Cobain once admitted that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was an attempt to “rip off the Pixies.” On Feb. 9, the man he jipped is coming to The Haunt. Known for his unhinged, alternative style and his unconventional (to say the least) lyrics, Black Francis, born Charles Michael Kittredge Thompson IV and alternately known as Frank Black, has certainly been around the block a few times. Critically accoladed and hailed as one of the great rockers of the early ‘90s, Black Francis can still yowl, coo and scream his way through some of the greatest songs of the modern era.

Jeff Mangum

Feb. 13, State Theatre

The anomaly of seeing reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel mastermind Jeff Mangum may have worn off since the indie man of mystery reemerged for a solo tour in 2011, but,  come on, it’s Jeff freakin’ Mangum, and he’s coming to our very own State Theatre. On what very may well be his last tour, Mangum’s live performance (as far as grainy YouTube videos can tell us) promises intimate, sing-along renditions of tunes from the classic In the Aeroplane Over the Sea as well as earlier NMH tracks. Brush up on your Mangum lyrics for what’s sure to be an unforgettable evening on Feb. 13.

Green Day with Best Coast

Apr. 1, Blue Cross Arena

With the weather we’ve been having, perhaps we’re overdue for some California sunshine. Prolific punk legends Green Day have sold 70 million albums worldwide and 25 million in the U.S. alone.  Now, Joe, Mike and Tré are touring with on-the-rise surf pop phenoms Best Coast for a night of legendary hits and unhinged fun. What more can we say? It may be in Rochester, but we are happy to make the trip.

Deerhoof

Apr. 13, The Club @ Water Street

I never really understood how bands could be classified in the genre of “noise” (after all, there is no genre for silence … yet) but Deerhoof manages to pull it off, and brilliantly at that. Both cuddly and absolutely crazy in turns, the group’s sound is impossible to explain. Like a story that ends with “you had to be there,” each of its tunes manages to tread the line between greatness and absurdity. That’s just the way we like them.

Buddy Guy

Apr. 21, State Theatre

It’s hard to believe, but the 74-year-old, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-inductee is still refining his fabled West Side sound. Starting out in faraway Lettsworth, L.A., Buddy’s first stringed instrument was a self-made diddley bow. But from these humble roots, Guy made a name for himself, first as a phenomenal session guitarist then as a legendary performer in his own right. Today, he has been recognized as one of the greatest to ever play the guitar. On April 21, do not miss an evening with one of the last living legends of blues.  

We hear through the grapevine that there will be a pretty fantastic show coming up on May 16 or 17. We’re talking Fiona Apple level. We don’t know what it is yet, but we’re going to hold off on buying those tickets home.

Compiled by Sam Bromer '16, Arielle Cruz '15, Meredith Joyce '14 and Sydney Ramsden '14.