Ah, freshman orientation. There’s so much ahead of all of you that you should be looking forward to. You will have better classes than the borefest that was high school, more freedom to come and go as you please, college parties and of course more free time on your hands to have fun.
Yeah, I’m kidding on that last one. Freshman year awaits in just a few weeks, and so begins months of exams and essays so if you’re the concert junkie type, the summer is the best time to get your live music fix before the reality of classes set in.
If you’re like the 95 percent of RIC students (be- fore you ask, yes, that figure is made up) then you’re from the Rhode Island area, so it should come as no surprise that Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel has a few de- cent concerts on the horizon. If you’re a fan of metal, blood and gore and people in whacky costumes, check out GWAR on Friday, June 15, featuring Auburn and Deathwish. Bush, well known for their highly played single “Sound of Winter” takes the stage Wednesday, July 11. Matisyahu brings his unique fusion of reg- gae and hip hop on Saturday, July 18, along with guests The Dirty Heads. Neon Trees finishes off the college friendly portion of Lupo’s summer line up on Monday, Aug 17 along with Twenty One Pilots.
To be honest, The Met located in the Hope Artiste Village in Pawtucket has a lackluster concert line up when it comes to big name acts, but their Dude Smash music festival may be their one redeeming gig this summer. The festival, located in the venue’s.outdoor courtyard, features acts including Diamond Doves, Doomsday Students, RIC Radio 90.7 WXIN Rock Hunt winners Boo City and several other acts. The festival is headlined by the wildly popular local act Deer Tick. Dude Smash takes place on June 16 with doors opening at 4 p.m.
Don’t tell the campus radio station that The An- chor told you this, but 95.5 WBRU actually has quite a few quality concerts coming up and guess what – they’re free. If you don’t nearly jump up and down at the idea of a free concert, then obviously you haven’t bought your first text book yet. Anyway, WBRU’s Summer Concert Series takes place every Friday night in the months of June and July at Waterplace Park in Providence at 7:30 p.m. The series features acts Delta Spirit, The Tower and the Fool, Group Love, Walk the Moon and The Rice Cakes.
The two acts that I strongly recommend are The Silks and White Rabbits. The Silks walk the line of country, rock and blues and were finalists in RIC Radio WXIN’s 2011 Rock Hunt. They are a solid band live and will play on June 22. The White Rab- bits perform June 29. Well known for their single “Percussion Gun” the band saw wide radio play on WBRU roughly two years ago but have since fell from popularity. The band is a powerhouse of talent on stage and deserves much more popularity than they have attracted. While having a more laid back indie rock sound, the band kicks it up a notch with their use of duel percussionists. They have unique sound not to be missed.
So there you have a few good concerts just in the nick of time before you kick off your life as a college academic. Enjoy the music and the best of luck in the road ahead. Welcome to college, you’re in for one hell ofa ride.
