Not a week goes by without one exciting music-related event or another — from rock house shows to jazz concerts, the University’s student body is full of talented performers and countless bands that wow audiences of all sizes. If you are interested in immersing yourself within the flourishing live arts scene in Charlottesville, read on for a crash course in getting the most out of the local happenings in live music.
For student bands — hit up a house show
The first form of local live music most students will likely come across is house shows. These performances are typically hosted near the Corner, a popular cluster of shops and restaurants around University Avenue, or in off-Grounds and fraternity houses. Several of the University’s own musically-centered Contracted Independent Organizations — Indieheads, WXTJ radio and University Records host these events. The organizations plan the shows from top to bottom — members of the CIOs will scout venues, book bands, create promotional flyers and set up equipment. Many of the shows require an entry fee — around seven to ten dollars — in order to cover costs and raise money for each organization.
Taking place on weekends throughout the semester, these hard-hitting, boisterous and electric nights showcase the University’s student bands, both new and old. House shows are not only great ways to catch live music, but also to get to know other music fans.
Brian Tafazoli, president of Indieheads and fourth-year College student, recommended that students interested in learning more about the University’s live music scene attend these shows. According to Tafazoli, it is an opportunity not only to hear great music, but also meet other students.
“Indieheads puts on house shows typically twice a month,” Tafazoli said in a written statement to The Cavalier Daily. “Going to shows and establishing friendships with musicians is the best way of keeping up with the University music scene.”
While a raucous rock-and-roll performance at someone’s home might sound messy or too loud, they remain a staple of the Charlottesville music scene because of their ability to foster community among music lovers.
Any students interested in attending are welcome, and more information on house shows can be found on the Instagram pages of WXTJ, Indieheads and University Records.
For impressive ensembles — attend a Department of Music concert
For a more formal concert experience, one might consider attending one of the various official events put on by the Department of Music throughout the year. These performances take place in formal performance spaces like Old Cabell Hall and are overseen by faculty.
The Jazz Ensemble — led by John D’Earth, senior lecturer and director of jazz performance — hosts a show each semester in Old Cabell Hall where they play a host of jazz songs. The incredibly talented brass, guitar, piano and rhythm players spend all semester preparing for these shows, and they are nothing short of an incredible experience. These concerts are more orthodox in their genre and structure than a house show — however, they are just as enjoyable.
“These official concerts are slightly more formal,” D’Earth said. “People can expect to hear big-band jazz across the spectrum of historical big-band music.”
In the spring, the University gathers nearly one hundred student musicians to rehearse for its annual concert band performance. The expansive wind ensemble plays a longer and more diverse set of music from various genres, including standard band tunes, pop music and concertos.
Students eager to hear orchestral music should look no further than the Charlottesville Symphony. Composed of faculty, students and community volunteers, the group performs several times in Old Cabell Hall throughout each semester, including two holiday performances.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of all the exciting offerings of the Department of Music. A complete list of the department-affiliated performance groups can be found on the Department of Music’s website. For students interested in staying up to date on these performances, there is a music department newsletter filled with information about events hosted by the department. D’Earth said that University-produced concerts are free to students, as long as they reserve tickets in advance.
To see big names — take a trip to a large venue
In addition to concerts found on Grounds, students can attend larger-scale concerts at John Paul Jones Arena, a stadium used for basketball games that also regularly brings in chart-topping artists. For instance, pop star Sabrina Carpenter will perform at JPJ Oct. 20, followed by concerts by Jelly Roll, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and Brooks & Dunn this academic year.
While JPJ offers an invigorating indoor stadium atmosphere, music fans also have access to Ting Pavilion, a larger outdoor venue located on the Downtown Mall, a bustling pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville with a host of shops and restaurants. Situated under a huge canopy, the stage frequently hosts nationally touring artists, including upcoming acts Vampire Weekend and Thee Sacred Souls.
If you are not interested in paying for tickets to see nationally-renowned artists right now, fear not — the University Programs Council, a body of students that plans various events across Grounds, hosts concerts at large venues like JPJ and Ting Pavilion each semester with no cost for students. The Wahoo Welcome concert and Springfest concert — hosted at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, respectively — bring in big-name artists like rapper Swae Lee and NLE Choppa at no cost to students.
Sunny Singh, director of PKG for UPC and fourth-year Commerce student, said that these concerts are specifically tailored to the tastes of University students. According to Singh, UPC conducts surveys to see which artists students are most interested in seeing, then researches the top artists to see if they are a good match for a University audience.
While students of all years are welcome at these shows, Singh said that Wahoo Welcome is perfect for newer students who may not be familiar with live music outlets in Charlottesville.
“If you've never been to a concert before, it's a great way to introduce yourself to the scene,” Singh said.
To get up close and personal — head to a small venue
If you are looking for a more intimate space away from Grounds, Charlottesville is home to a wealth of smaller live music venues. The Southern Cafe & Music Hall, a venue also located on the Downtown Mall, is one of the most popular music spots in Charlottesville, hosting both nationally renowned performers and local favorites who play anything from bluegrass to alternative music.
Tessa Saporito, fourth-year College student and employee at The Southern, said the space is perfect for bringing audiences and performers closer together.
“What I really like about The Southern is that it’s small enough that you’re having some sort of intimate connection with the artist,” Saporito said. “Especially because the room is set up [so that] you can see the artist from any angle, and that you feel up close and personal anywhere that you are in the audience.”
In a similar vein, Miller’s Downtown hosts live music every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, boasting musicians from a variety of genres. Here, audiences can listen to live tunes for free, making it a fantastic and consistent venue to see live acoustic performances in the downtown Charlottesville area.
For those looking to stay closer to Grounds, there are a handful of venues that bring live music to the Corner. Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar, a spot on Elliewood Avenue, frequently hosts bands late into the night on weekends. Recent student bands who performed at the venue include Name Game, Krispies and Loose Leaf. Right next door, Ellie’s Country Club also fills the open air with outdoor performances each weekend.
Fourth-year College student Anagha Chundury said she enjoys the vibrant and energetic atmosphere that live bands bring to bars on the Corner.
“I think it's really fun when [local bars] have live music,” Chundury said. “A lot more people are dancing and like actually paying attention to the music, which I really like. And I also think it feels more like being in a college town when the bars have music that's played by students.”
Whether you are looking for small, intimate venues or larger-than-life arena shows, there is no shortage of events in Charlottesville to fulfill the desire for live music.
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