Picture the scene: you're in someone's basement, there's smoke all around with dim-to-no lighting. The room is so loud you can't hear the person next to you. The bands are just as happy to be there as you are, and you probably know most of the members. The bands vary in style and instrumentation, and each one is truly unique. The more shows you go to, the less you want to listen to the Top 40 on Kiss 108. Maybe you know the bands that are playing, or maybe you don't, but everyone there is open minded to hear new music because you never know what kind of style, instruments, or people may be about to take the platform. And the best part about them, especially for a college student: they're cheap if not free!
Basement shows and small venues have basically enveloped my weekends at college. Lowell, Mass. has a great music scene. From 91.5 WUML, to the many busking stops around downtown, it is a great place for music to thrive. Once I arrived at college, I had already been exposed to underground music, but little did I know how much it would influence me in my first semester. With basement shows almost every weekend, it has always been a great alternative to house or frat parties that are always male dominated and extreme in terms of drinking and other risks. Basement shows are always laid back and casual with amazing live bands. I've made so many friends from attending those shows and many of them are some of the coolest people I have ever met. It beats a frat party any day.
Underground music can have such a wide variety of genres including experimental, rap, jazz, folk, hip hop, punk, noise, rock, electronic, and everything in between. Basically, anything local or that isn't on the billboard charts is "underground." From basement shows to art galleries to restaurants and bars and even talent shows, open mic nights, benefit concerts, and many other places are home to underground music and local musicians and artists. My college experience involves underground music because it is all around and always available, and you find many different styles and genres as a result. Underground music is probably the best music.
