The end of summer is fast approaching and it is time for many people to begin to think about their return to school in the fall. Some may dread the end of the carefree days of summer, but I am eagerly anticipating heading back to my collegiate institution. Partially because I’m ready for my summer job to be over, but also because when kids go back to school there are loads of concerts. Summer festivals are grand, but there’s something magical about traveling to see a specific band at a specific venue at a specific time. That and you can bring your own water. I have done my homework and picked four shows that aren’t too far away for my fellow Central New Yorkers to drive to and enjoy as well.

First up is Syracuse’s own Ra Ra Riot. They are playing at the Castaways Bar in nearby Ithaca on September 10th. For the uninitiated Ra Ra Riot is an indie band that formed during 2006 that combines the sounds of clean college rock like Vampire Weekend with the drama of string accented groups like the Arcade Fire. Their debut album The Rhumb Line has been garnering them critical accalaim from just about every major music publication you can think of and a spot performing on the David Letterman show. If you’re curious or a big fan don’t miss out! Tickets are only $15 dollars and available here.

If you’re willing to do some driving and have a passport, The Sounds are playing at the Metropolis night club in Montreal on September 12th. The Sounds are a Swedish rock band that sound like the angry love child of The Cars and Blondie. Their new album Crossing the Rubicon is one of the hottest records of the year so far with anthems like their track No One Sleeps When I’m Awake poised for some crossover success. I swear, if I don’t hear a track by The Sounds on my local pop music station in at least a year, there is something seriously wrong with the ears of America. Either way, the show will be a blast of showmanship and attitude from the crew and lead singer Maja Ivarsson. If you can read French, tickets are available here and they are $20.00 Canadian dollars so there might be some flux in the currency but the show will definitely be worth the hassle.

If you’re looking for a more local show, check out another Syracuse born band, Professional Victims, who are having their album release party with Sirsi on September 18th. The Professional Victims seem to have a foot in a few different genres. One in classic rock, one in electronica, one in pop, one in industrial and one in punk. They are probably one of the most original acts to spawn out of Syracuse in the last year or so. If I had to compare them to other bands I’d say they sound like a mix between TV on the Radio and The New Pornographers. They are being supported by the hard rocking boy/girl duo Sirsi. Tickets are available here.