On Campus

Five must-see frosh week shows

Where to catch Arkells, Yukon Blonde, Das Racist

Arkells (Brennan Schnell/Eastscene.com)

The first week is, for most students, one of the most memorable (okay, well, sort of memorable) weeks of university. It’s summer camp without tearful goodbyes; school without the schoolwork.

Part of the reason it’s so memorable is that between the cheers and the beers many orientation weeks also manage to squeeze in pretty decent live music. Here are five notable bands topping froshweek bills from coast to coast:

1. Fresh off the summer festival circuit, Hamilton’s Arkells head to Calgary to play SAIT Polytechnic’s on campus bar, The Gateway. The On Paper rockers play Sept. 4 at 8:00 p.m. Ticket info.

1.5. The Gateway hosts Said the Whale the following night, Sept. 5 at 8:00 p.m. Ticket info.

2. On the east coast, the University of New Brunswick hosts the electro-pop trio Dragonette at 9:00 p.m. on Sept. 8 in the UNB SUB Cafe. And if electro-beats aren’t your style, there’s always the MuchMusic Video Dance—sure to be as happening as it was in the seventh grade. Ticket info.

3. In the capital city, the Polaris Prize nominated Yukon Blonde will help wind down the University of Ottawa’s 101 Week. The band takes over Tabaret’s front lawn on Sept. 8th.

4. A local-heavy lineup featuring Gunner and Smith and We Were Lovers will fill up University of Saskatchewan venue The Bowl on Sept. 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. New York City’s Das Racist take the stage at Louis’ Pub on Sept. 8* at 9:00 p.m. Ticket info here and here.

5. In Vancouver, Hey Ocean! fans will be making new dances up during the University of B.C.’s full day music festival. Morgan Page and DJ She will also take to the McInnes Field stage on Sept. 7.

*This post said Das Racist plays Louis’ on Sept. 9. In fact, the show is Sept. 8.

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