As the school year starts to make its return to normalcy and routines get reestablished, students are starting to look for fun things to do to break the monotony. A concert is a great way to relax on a weekend and get together with friends outside the classroom. With five campuses spread out around Northern Georgia, there are plenty of opportunities to take in a big-name artist or a local up and comer. Here’s a list of five music venues in close proximity to each campus.
Akins Ford Arena
Athens has a storied history of alternative and indie bands getting their starts there, as well as a bustling scenes of up-and-coming artists across genres. R.E.M., The B-52s and Widespread Panic are just a few of them.
The downtown Athens area is home to numerous stages, theaters and live music venues. The 40 Watt Club, Boars Head Lounge and Georgia Theater are all within 4 blocks of one another. The biggest attraction in Athens is the brand-new Akins Ford Arena. Located right inside of town, it has hosted some of the biggest names in music today like Parker McCollum last year, and some of the largest legends of the past like Dwight Yoakam.
Katie Williams is the VP of Sales, Marketing and Tourism for the Classic Center Authority, which is the parent organization for the arena, the convention center and Visit Athens, the tourism department. She has been with the organization for five years and is incredibly optimistic about the benefits Akins Ford Arena has for Athens and the surrounding counties. Akins Ford Arena seats up to 8000 guests, allowing for big name artists to pack it out.
“Because we can host so many more people, it just has such a larger impact on our local economy,” she said.
Oconee: 20 minutes
Gainesville: 56 minutes
Sept. 11 – Avett Brothers
Sept. 19 – Cole Swindell
Oct. 17 – Gavin Adcock
Nov. 13 – Dwight Yoakam
Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center
Family fun in a small-town atmosphere, Lou Sobh Amphitheater caters to any choice of music by professional musicians, with bands covering a wide range of genres. Either in a comfortable bar chair or along five levels of grassy terrace seating, one can listen and enjoy clearly the sounds of metal, easy rock, Kid Rock or even Barry Manilow. Free Parking and free admission make a perfect combo for a college student budget.
Cumming: 8 minutes
Gainesville: 37 minutes
Dahlonega: 37 minutes
Aug. 30 – Jackson Chase
Sept. 5 – Bro. Jason and the Red Dirt Saints
Sept. 6 – Elevation: The Ultimate Tribute to U2
Sept. 12 – Human Clay: Tribute to Creed
Sept. 19 – Cowboy: Ultimate Kid Rock Tribute
Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Gainesville, Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers is a highly rated barbecue restaurant situated right next to the big stage, the quintessential dinner and a show in the south. With a full fall schedule for any music listeners’ druthers, you’ll hear what you’re listening for in the Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers. They’ve hosted big names in country music like Josh Turner and Mark Chesnutt, Latin DJs, themed dance parties and there’s more in store coming soon. They offer indoor and outdoor dining as well as a fully stocked bar.
“Personally, I’m a big country music fan, so a few of the shows I’m really excited about hosting in the near future are Sara Evans, Tracy Lawrence, Larry Fleet, Deana Carter, and especially our Halloween party with Drake Milligan.” – Venue Manager Alicia Hauser, on what she’s looking forward to in the coming months.
Gainesville: 14 minutes
Cumming: 33 minutes
Dahlonega: 37 minutes
Sept. 13 – John Waite
Sept. 19 – Lee Greenwood
Sept. 20 – Sammy Kershaw
Sept. 26 – Sara Evans
Oct. 2 – Larry Fleet
Anderson Music Hall
One of the most iconic country music venues in the state of Georgia, Anderson Music Hall at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawasee is an incredible destination for tourists and college students. As the 75th Annual Georgia Mountain Fair comes to a close, old school and new school country legends will take the stage playing boot stomping music for all ages. The views from the fairgrounds showcase the Smoky Mountains, and beautiful Lake Chatuge.
Blue Ridge: 44 minutes
Sept. 25 – The Dailey & Vincent Music Fest
Oct. 4 – Bob Seger Tribute Mainstreet
Oct. 10 – Neal McCoy & Ronnie McDowell
Oct. 11 – Chase Rice
Oct. 16 – Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Canopy + the Roots Coffee
Possibly the most unique live music venue in the area, if not the state, is a coffee shop on campus in Dahlonega. Canopy + the Roots Coffee is equal parts yoga studio, coffee restaurant and live music venue. Extremely convenient walking distance from living quarters in Dahlonega, student budget friendly prices and underground live music makes for an intriguing choice for breakfast, lunch or concert.
“The owners are really awesome, they collect tips to give the artist afterwards. The environment there is great because everyone there just wants to relax and have fun while listening to some cool jams.” – Rylee West, senior Healthcare Informatics
