It’s fall semester again and students are looking for something to do. Well, where there’s loud live music, there’s usually some colorful people to match. But before heading out just yet, let’s consider what you’re getting into.
First off, those not yet 21 are probably used to getting the shaft, but they should feel free to join ranks with the high school crowd at Cafe Paradiso on Open Mic Night, Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Cafe Paradiso is located at 115 W. Broadway.
The WOW Hall, on 291 W.
8th Ave., is the most popular all-ages venue in town. Concert prices range from $5 to $20. Try to go when a good, heavy punk band like the Courtesy Clerks hits the stage; the mosh pits are as fun to watch as the shows.
Progressive rock is also a staple at the WOW Hall.
“Our most consistently guaranteed sell-out is Floater,” WOW Hall Publicist Bob Fennessy said. “For 10 years now they have been selling out the Hall every time they play here, including a sold-out acoustic show Aug. 6.”
For those with more money than the average college student, there is the McDonald Theatre (1010 Willamette St.) or the Hult Center for the Performing Arts (7th Avenue and Willamette Street). Large concert halls typically have the resources to pull in the bigger out-of-town bands. Earlier this summer the Hult Center hosted Cyndi Lauper, Weird Al Yankovic and Harry Connick Jr., either at the main venue or at the Cuthbert Amphitheater.
For those of a legal drinking age, there is a plethora of bars to choose from. The Indigo District is the newest hot-spot in town. It’s big inside, offering some interesting acoustics, but the stage is right next to the door, making getting in and out somewhat difficult. Bands tend to fall into the experimental genre. The Indigo District is located at 1290 Oak St. Cover charge at the door is about $5.
John Henry’s (77 W. Broadway) is, by far, the most motley live music venue in town. No matter what kind of music is going on, there’s always a wild menagerie of hipsters and roughnecks crowding up the place. It’s all about the atmosphere.
Local acts usually run around
$3, whereas touring bands go for about $5.
“It really depends on the show, but most nights it’s a pretty eclectic mix of people,” said Keith Martin, John Henry’s Booking Agent. “For the Eugene Celebration weekend September 17 and 18 we will have five bands per night.”
On the other end of the spectrum are places like the Samurai Duck, Black Forest Tavern, and Sam Bond’s Garage. C. Larson is a Eugene resident and avid bar-hopper who recently saw the local band Yeltsin play July 16 at Sam Bond’s.
“It’s a rustic old dive, the kind of place where inexperienced local bands tend to have their first performances,” Larson said. “There’s always some homeless guys out front looking to bum a smoke.”

Kevin Miller is a freelance reporter
for the Emerald