Who wouldn’t love seeing their favorite band in a live setting? Everyone can use something to lift their spirits every now and then, and going out to catch a concert  is one of the best ways to do just that. Attending a concert is typically an exhilarating experience — it can help you feel flight and full of excitement for days after. Sometimes, it’s just what you need.

One of my favorite ways to check out live music is through the app “Bandsintown”. This awesome app makes it super easy for fans to track their favorite artists and receive notifications when those bands — or similar bands — are playing in the area. Another way to find out who’s going to be performing nearby is by simply doing a Google search or asking around.

There are several great concert venues throughout Syracuse, but the three venues closest to Le Moyne are the Lost Horizon, The F Shed, and the Westcott Theater. In my opinion, the Westcott is hands down the go-to place for music in Syracuse. This repurposed movie theater is popular for always bringing in some of the most  vibrant acts to perform. The F Shed has similar qualities but the venue space is much larger . . . which is perfectly okay because it just means there’s more room for dancing. If you’re into hardcore bands or DJs or heavy metal, then the Lost Horizon is the place for you. It’s grungy,  loud, and luckily right down the hill from campus.

Funk ‘N Waffles is also a place to check out the music scene . . . and it has two locations: Syracuse University and Downtown. From my experience, the vibes were always eclectic and funky — hence the name — and they host a variety of music from punk to hip-hop to indie rock. Plus, who would say no to enjoying a waffle with their music?

A few of my favorite groups that have upcoming performances in the area are Gramatik [Westcott Theater], Papadosio [Westcott Theater], Rusted Root [Westcott Theater], Sophistafunk [Funk ‘N Waffles], and The String Cheese Incident [The F-Shed]. I recommend checking out these bands if you love to dance and groove to folk-rock, psychedelia, or electro beats. It’s always eye-opening to check out new music — even if you haven’t considered certain genres before!

There’s always music somewhere any given night in Central New York. Whether it’s some small group you’ve never heard of before or a world-known traveling rock band doing a quick stop on their tour, Syracuse has plenty to offer when it comes to live music.