Welcome to Storrs, Huskies! Though the University of Connecticut may be isolated due to being surrounded by miles of endless forests and cow fields, there’s still plenty to do in this little college town. And there’s no better experience to check out than the ever-growing Storrs music scene.
Storrs is currently experiencing a renaissance in live music, with an influx of young talent and a higher frequency of shows than ever before. This has led to more and more people going to shows to check out the sounds of Storrs.
But what’s so great about these shows? Well, going to see live music is one of the best ways to meet people at UConn. These shows feature a welcoming and positive atmosphere where anybody – regardless of background – can go. I find that music is one of the best conversation starters at shows to meet new people. This can result in friends and acquaintances that can last throughout college. I still run into people all the time on campus who I first met at shows during my freshman year.
Live music can be found both on and off campus in Storrs. If you’re looking to rock out on campus, look no further than the various shows hosted by WHUS Radio, UConn’s student-run radio station. Kicking off WHUS’ yearly slate of shows is Sounds of Summer, which features local bands and is held on the Student Union Terrace on a weekday night in September. The other shows the station hosts are the Halloween-themed Mischief After Dark in October, Spring Fling in March or April and the annual Battle of The Bands competition. The best part about these shows? All of them are free for students and only a short walk away from your dorm.
But beyond the confines of UConn’s campus, the main medium of live music is house shows. These off-campus venues are exactly as the name sounds: attending a show at somebody’s house, typically a basement. For a small cover charge – typically $5 to $10 – attendees are treated to bands featuring UConn students, other bands from across Connecticut and even bands from out of state. Going to one of these shows for the first time can be intimidating, especially if you find yourself in the middle of a growing mosh pit, but house shows provide students an opportunity to get up-close with bands and experience something radically different than anything else on campus.
Any discussion of the Storrs music scene would be incomplete without talking about The Dog Pound. Since opening its doors last August, it has become the primary house show venue in Storrs and one of the most in-demand venues to perform at in Connecticut’s underground music scene. Not only does the venue host shows every weekend, but shows also feature themes based on genres or attire, so every night is truly so different than the rest.
There’s also a ton of variety in Storrs’ music scene right now, with bands covering a variety of rock subgenres. From the bright, melodic indie rock sound of Ruby Leftstep, the aggressive punk of Remedies to the energetic and lively grooves of Tweed Sugar, there’s no shortage of styles that can be found here.
If you’re a freshman looking for something new this fall, be sure to check out a show and hear the bands that call Storrs home. Catch you in the pit!