Kristen's Concert Picks: Dance your way through December!

As the year comes to an end, our ears will ring joyfully with the final songs of 2013.  Come dance your way through December!

Tue, Dec 3: UGA Holiday Concert @ 8 PM @ Classic Center Theatre
Kick off the month and get yourself into the holiday spirit with a Holiday Concert courtesy of the UGA Symphony Orchestra!

Tuesdays in November: Kenosha Kid @ 9 PM @ Hendershot's Coffee
Every year Kenosha Kid wins the honor of best jazz band in town. If you haven't grooved to them yet, it's about time.  See them live at Hendershot's every Tuesday in December!

Wed, Dec 4: Cicada Rhythm @ 8 PM @ Melting Point
You'll just love the unique folk stylings of Cicada Rhythm!

Thu, Dec 5: SQUIDMAS @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge 
WOW!  Doctor Squid, The Warm Fuzzies, AND The Skipperdees? With a lineup like this, it'll be a very Merry Squidmas indeed. You definitely won't want to miss this show!

Thu, Dec 5: Efren @ 10 PM @ Nowhere Bar
I've been following Efren's gritty sound since the beginning, and they're always worth a listen.  Check 'em out over at Nowhere Bar!

Thu, Dec 5: Yo Soybean, Madeline @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre
Yo Soybean will bring the rock and Madeline will add a touch of darkness to the night's southern-twinges tunes at the Flicker Theatre!

Fri, Dec 6: Abbey Road Live @ 9 PM @ Melting Point
Hey, all you Beatles fans out there…  You may have missed seeing the original band play a show, but Abbey Road Live keeps their sound going strong.  Catch these guys at the Melting Point on the 6th!

Sat, Dec 7: Holiday Yard Sale @ 11 AM - 5 PM @ 40 Watt
Ok, this may not be a show per say, but nothing says Athens like a yard sale at the 40 Watt while the bar is taking orders. Save money, schmooze, and booze at the Watt's Holiday Yard Sale this year!

Sat, Dec 7: Easter Island @ 10 PM @ The World Famous
Easter Island mixes drum beats and sweet vocals to create and awesome soft rock sound!

Sat, Dec 14: Thayer Sarrano @ 10 PM @ The World Famous
Thayer Sarrano weaves words into music in an incredibly unique and beautiful way.  Be sure to check out her show at the World Famous!

Thu, Dec 19: Dangfly @ 11 PM @ Georgia Theatre
One of my top Athfest favorites from this year, Dangfly's quality rock will definitely leave you dancing.  Best of all, this show is part of a free after-wedding celebration at the Georgia Theatre, so everyone is sure to be in a festive mood!

Sat, Dec 28: Brothers @ 10 PM @ Flicker Theatre
Classic meets indie when Brothers takes the stage.  See 'em over at Flicker near the end of the month!

Tue, Dec 31: The Whigs @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre
The Whigs have got New Year's Eve covered with their hardcore southern rock sound!

Tue, Dec 31: New Year's Eve with Ghost Owl @ 10 PM @ The Green Room
Ghost Owl's powerful tunes and commanding beats will usher in the New Year like no other.  This show is sure to to be an awesome way to ring in 2014!

What a month this will be!  I can't believe it's almost 2014 already.  Just like always, if you've heard of another local show not listed here that you can't wait to attend, don't hesitate to comment below and let the world know all the details.  Make the most of this month, and I'll catch ya around town, my friends!

Athfest 2013: The Whigs rock through the night

Friday, June 21st, 2013 
 The Whigs

You can never get to a show too early. That's my mantra, and I'm sticking with it (despite the fact that I have been proven wrong many a time). On Friday, though, the clock was on my side as I stepped into the 40 Watt line, eager to secure my spot for the Whigs' show.  Before I knew it, I was through the door just before Athfest regulars Buxton stepped onstage.  These quality southern rockers from Texas are staples at the festival, and I've managed to see them in action every year for the past three years.  Definitely cool to run into them again!

Then it was the Whigs' turn.  Long before they jumped onstage, the crowd started chanting along to the familiar Atlanta Braves tomahawk chop.  This being my first opportunity to catch the Whigs live, I quickly determined that this was some sort of tradition, and my suspicions were proven correct as the band emerged to a recording of that very chant.  Launching into their hardcore southern rock set amidst an awe-inspiring show of lights, the band gave the crowd tune after awesome tune.  Fans flowed into the venue steadily, pumped for more, until the 40 Watt was completely packed. The earth-shaking bass and drums energized the crowd as they sang along to nearly every lyric, urging on the band who stretched their set to please the eager fans.  Around 1 AM, the floor cleared a bit as those trying to catch both the Whigs and Reptar in one night headed for the Georgia Theatre to (probably unsuccessfully) plead their way into the at-capacity venue.  However, those who stayed were treated to even more incredible tunes as the band transcended into what can only be described as psych drone territory.  Brilliant!  It was a long set but definitely a rad one.  What a night!

Leaving the venue, exhausted but enthused, I headed home for the night, passing some guy outside who shouted to me "surfing the E.A.C., dude" in Crush the Turtle's voice from Finding Nemo.  Weird but hilarious at the same time!  Simply put, Athens is awesome.


For all of our massive coverage of Athfest 2013, from preparation guides to articles on some of the best featured bands and shows, click here! More entries on all the bands and madness of the festival will be posted daily, so be sure to check back often. Plus, soon you'll be able to check out our show footage and Athfest vlogs up on the Echoreyn of Athens YouTube channel as well!

Kristen's Concert Picks: December's tunes light up the night

For optimal viewing of these picks on a mobile device, click here!

Whispers of snowfall swirl through the cold air as the final month of the year dawns on us.  December comes to Athens bearing gifts in the form of tons of incredible shows.  Enjoy!

Fri, Dec 2: Yo Soybean @ 10:30 PM @ Farm 255

If irreverent southern rock is your style, you'll definitely want to start off your month with Yo Soybean over at Farm 255!

Sat, Dec 3: Athens @ 8 PM @ Bad Manor

There's no doubt about it, the Athens band's pure rock style will leave you in awe.  Don't miss their sure-to-be awesome show at Bad Manor!

Mon, Dec 5: SQUIDMAS @ 8 PM @ Melting Point

It's a Squidmas miracle, you guys!  An incredible lineup of three of our blog favorites - Doctor Squid, the Warm Fuzzies, and Groove Tangent - will be rocking the Melting Point stage this year in celebration of the fourth annual Squidmas.  Plus, Doctor Squid will be releasing their latest album Changes the Channel at the show!  Trust me, you'll want to be there!

Tues, Dec 6: Groove Tangent @ 9 PM @ Caledonia Lounge
Craving even more Groove Tangent?  They'll be sharing their sweet 50s style with the crowd at Caledonia the day after Squidmas!

Tues, Dec 6: Futurebirds @ 8 PM @ 40 Watt

This one's for anybody who loves southern rock.  Headliners of this year's Athfest, the Futurebirds return to rock the 40 Watt early in the month!  Then they take the stage again at the Georgia Theatre on the 30th!

Fri, Dec 9: Modern Skirts & Lera Lynn @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

This show's got some of Athens' best!  Don't miss powerful singer Lera Lynn as she joins pop rockers Modern Skirts and Easter Island for a show that is guaranteed to be memorable!

Sat, Dec 10: Manray & Lazer/Wulf @ 9:30 PM @ Caledonia Lounge

Hard and darkly melodic noise rock will rule the night as Manray and Lazer/Wulf take the Caledonia!

Sat, Dec 10: Venice Is Sinking @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

It's time for another helping of soft and sweet tunes from Venice Is Sinking.  Can't wait!

Fri, Dec 16: Abbey Road Live @ 9 PM @ Melting Point

Beatles fans rejoice!  Abbey Road Live is back to give you all your favorite covers in the middle of the month.

Sat, Dec 31: The Whigs @ 9 PM @ 40 Watt

These local rockers have made quite a name for themselves, and now they're back to ring in the new year with style!

Sat, Dec 31: Reptar @ 8 PM @ Georgia Theatre

Want an absolutely insane New Year's Eve?  Well, then, you'll want to head on over to the Georgia Theatre bash featuring one of Athens' wildest bands, Reptar!  Be sure to buy your tickets early for this one!

Wow, that looks like quite a December!  As always, check back often for even more can't-miss shows as the month progresses, and be sure to let the world know about any other great upcoming concerts in the comments below.  Happy winter, you guys!