Have you ever paid hundreds of dollars for concert tickets? And if you have, have you ever thought about just how much money you’re spending per year on concert tickets? Now, there’s nothing wrong with this. It is so worth it to go watch your favorite bands in concert. I, myself, am preparing to watch Geese in Asheville while writing this paper (expect a blog post soon!). However, there is so much undiscovered, local talent right in our backyard.
If you are an avid WUSC listener, you know that we do Tiny Couch Concerts, which is essentially our version of the NPR Tiny Desk Concerts. These concerts highlight local bands that play all over the Columbia area. Many of them even play at UofSC’s Live at the Underground. Why not give these bands a listen, expand your horizons, and maybe even see a gig or two for a price that is likely significantly less than those of bigger artists? You could end up having a great time and you could brag about all the niche, underground music you’re discovering if that’s your thing.
Now, supporting local musicians is not limited to the bands that play in Five Points, Live at the Underground and on Tiny Couch. We have a huge School of Music with so many music students who spend months preparing for recitals that cost quite a pretty penny to put on. If you’ve happened to read my WUSC bio, you would know that I’m part of the School of Music because I’m pursuing a certificate in violin performance. This sometimes requires me to attend the recitals of my peers, however, I always leave recitals feeling so inspired. I’ve heard so many amazing pieces that I would have never discovered otherwise. The music being played is not restricted to solely classical music (if that’s not your cup of tea). So many of our music students are playing a wide variety of genres and you could end up finding a cool new genre of music to love. Not to mention, these recitals are FREE!
My point is, there is so much talent right here in Columbia, and while there’s nothing wrong with splurging occasionally to watch a band you love or attend a music festival, it is also such a wonderful thing to be able to go out to watch brand new, smaller artists and support them in their beginning stages. You never know just how much your support can mean to a musician, especially one who is just starting out.
Hi!! I’m Isa, and I’m a pre-med biology major. I am also pursuing a violin performance certificate. I’m an active member of the USC symphony, so I get to perform a ton of fun music with the university every semester. I’m from Charleston, SC, and I have always loved music. My favorite genres are indie rock, bedroom pop, and R&B, but I love discovering all kinds of new music. I’m part of the free-format show, Mixed Signals, with my cohost, Dink. We love to play indie rock and pop, as well as a ton of bossa, jazz, and globally influenced bands. Catch us every Sunday!