With weather-induced sickness taking over campus and midterms starting to sneak up out of nowhere, there’s nothing better than a concert to add a healthy dose of fun to that Winter Quarter slump. Last Saturday, I headed downtown to the House of Blues to see Olly Murs perform, and his infectious energy and swoon-worthy stage presence certainly gave me the jolt I need to get through midterm madness. But perhaps the best part of the whole experience was that I didn’t have to break the bank to afford tickets.
Like many Northwestern students, I spend most of my money each quarter on food (I’m looking at you, Cheesie’s). With all the snacking and late-night jaunts to eateries around Evanston, I’m not usually left with a whole lot of cash to spare. Obviously, this creates a slight issue when it comes to concert attendance. Many artists I want to see live are simply too expensive for my college-student lifestyle, but fortunately the Chicago music scene has shows to fit any budget. So if you’re looking to get away from campus and enjoy a hopping night out on the town this quarter, check out my top five affordable concert picks.
5. Toro Y Moi at the Metro: Singer-producer Chaz Bundick — better known as Toro Y Moi — has become a hipster mainstay in recent years with his catchy electric tracks. So if you’re looking for a chill and unique concert experience, check out his show at Metro Chicago on Feb. 19. Tickets: $16 advance, $18 day of show
4. Ra Ra Riot at the Metro: After bursting onto the indie music scene a few years ago, Ra Ra Riot went through a period of dramatic musical transition culminating in their recently released album, Beta Love. The new tracks have an old-school pop feel and will certainly make for a delightful experience when the band rolls into Chicago on March 1. Tickets: $21
3. Imagine Dragons at the House of Blues : Over the course of my internship at a radio station this summer, the one track I could always count on hearing every day was Imagine Dragons’ “It’s Time”. The Vegas-based band has skyrocketed to fame over the course of the last year, so what better time and place to see them live than at the House of Blues on March 4. Tickets: $25
2. Jukebox the Ghost with Matt Pond PA at the Metro: After spending the past few years touring and performing at acclaimed festivals like Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo, rock band Jukebox the Ghost is finally starting to make it big. And when they arrive in Chicago on March 9, they’ll grace the Metro stage with talented singer-songwriter Matt Pond, making the show a perfect combo package. Tickets: $15
1. Dillon Francis and Flosstradamus at the Congress Theater: It’s no surprise my number one affordable concert pick of the quarter comes down to a group of DJs that turn any show into an all-out party. The Congress provides the perfect dance-ready venue for these prolific artists, and with the March 8 concert promised to rage on until the early hours of the morning, these guys are certain to put on the show to beat this quarter. Tickets: $16
