It is the end of summer.
The mornings have a chill (a refreshing break from the humidity). The leaves are starting to change colors.
Over three months ago, I ended my travel sabbatical in South America to come back to my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. That time has flown by, and as much as I enjoy the Fall (college football, comfortable temperatures, breaking out my cute leather boots), one thing I am going to miss about Summer is outdoor concerts and music festivals.
While I was traveling, I had very little connection to popular culture in the US (or anywhere really). Yes, I saw some live shows in South America, including a music festival in Quito, Ecuador and punk tango in Buenos Aires. But for 20 months, I listened to the same music on my iPod over and over.
As soon as I got home, I did two things to become less “out of it.”
I checked the schedule for my favorite Columbus concert venues. And I emailed one of my hip-to-music-trends friends to ask what shows I should go see.
I discovered all this great new music, some from artists I already knew and loved, and some from bands I had never heard of before.
My 4 current music obsessions
All of these bands performed in Columbus this past summer.
#1 Metric
I love, love, love Metric.
I first discovered them in 2010 just a few months before I packed my bags and left for my trip. I had only heard a couple of their songs on the radio and decided to go to the show mainly because it was at my favorite venue The Newport.
The energy and sound were so powerful, and I loved every single minute of the show.
Metric was the headliner and closed out Summerfest this year. I only paid $10!! (And I saw a bunch of other good bands too, including Ben Kweller, The Lumineers, and Civil Twilight).
#2 Mumford & Sons
I was out of town for this show, but that has not stopped me from obsessively listening to them on my computer.
#3 Foster the People
Unfortunately, they came through Columbus just before I returned. I will definitely catch them the next time they come to town.
#4 Gotye
I only knew their two big hits. A little weird but catchy and totally addictive. I wasn’t that impressed with the other stuff I checked out online.
They came to Columbus last week, and since it’s the end of the summer, I figured I should go. I love their two hit songs enough to make up for it if the rest was mediocre.
So happy I went. The show was amazing!
They are a very tight group, extremely creative, and are one of those bands that are so much better live.
Ahhh awesome. I agree… well played!
I was a little worried I might get ridiculed for my taste in music. Glad to hear I’m not alone
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
I love those videos. Anyway, thank you for posting those vids!
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I can’t say I am a music fanatic but those videos are amazing. I would love to go to one of those concerts. Its really sad about the summer. Hate the winter.
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Luckily, we have an indoor music venue I really like. Not too big, not too small, and lots of character
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
Are you on Spotify? It’s SO good for finding new music, I love it! And good songs, thanks for introducing me to some new music!
I’m not on it. I have heard of it. I think it’s time to look into it.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
These are all good choices. My current favorites are Frank Ocean, Bat for Lashes, Bad of Horses, Grimes, Ellie Goulding. And I’m going to see Prince in concert tomorrow!
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I know Band of Horses (they came through Columbus too, but I think I was out of town), but the others are new. I’ll have to check them out.
Hope you’re enjoying Prince!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
Cool! Thanks for posting the videos – I have yet to check them out.
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MUMFORD! I’m so happy you’re loving them. We went to their Portland show when they were on tour earlier, and we literally changed our RTW tickets to be able to go to their Auckland, NZ show on November 2nd this year. I got the new album this past week, and I’m already wearing my headphones out listening to it. Love, love, love.
I’d stopped buying most music during the heavy savings year or two leading up to the trip; I have a lot of catching up to do when we get home.
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I always wanted to catch a huge show in another country…. never had the timing right. I could have seen Miley Cyrus in Buenos Aires
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
Little Lion Man… love that song. Well done on a top notch list lol.
Thanks! All of these songs I really do play over and over again on my laptop. I think I have a problem
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Best breakfast sandwich ever
I am terrible with keeping up with new music while I am away, but I love going to concerts around the world especially if it’s bands I don’t know. We went to an Awesome Jazz festival this summer in San Sebastian, Spain and also went to the Sigzet festival in Budapest. So much fun!
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I think I’m going to plan some trips around music festivals next year. They are so much fun, and you can see so many great bands, so it’s a great reason to travel.
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A very typical set for young woman
Not badly.
I’m SO bad about discovering new music over the last few years. I can count on my hand the number of new bands I’ve found since I moved to Australia. Glad you have a good scene in Columbus!
We get good music here, but I still have to rely on my favorite radio station and friends to know what’s going on.
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I am still in Ecuador starting to miss American music very much! What a great way to reacquaint yourself to being home! Giving the bands you listed as top faves, you should also check out Bon Iver, The Lumineers, and The Head and the Heart to name a few. Have any suggestions for great Latin music?
I saw the Lumineers at Summerfest (where Metric headlined), and I’ll have to check out the others you suggest. Unfortunately, I’m bad with Latin music. There was stuff I liked but didn’t know who it was. Salsa music is my favorite.
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Sometimes I keep up with new music – it depends if I can get access to local radio or not when I’m travelling. And then of course – it depends where I’m travelling. When I was in China for example, I was totally up to date on the latest Chinese chart toppers. This wasn’t totally helpful for a return to Western Europe.. but made me feel very cultured all the same…
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