If you haven’t noticed already, Macalester’s campus is an often inescapable, insular blob of a home. The buildings all face inward, and there is often enough campus-wide entertainment to keep one occupied, if not restless. For those struggling to make it past Kowalski’s or the Veggie Co-op, The Mac Weekly offers you a concert guide for the Cities this semester.

These are just highlights. There’s a whole scene of local music to dive into, and if your favorite band is not listed, look up the internet addresses provided, and chances are they will at some point. The Cities are as well represented on touring schedules as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, as well as groups scheduling more than one show.

Looking for a good place to start on finding those Death Cab for Cutie tickets? Look up www.first-avenue.com, where you can buy tickets in advance and find the most complete concert listings for its various venues (7th St. Entry, St. Paul’s own Turf Club, and Fine Line Music CafÈ). A helpful overview, but sometimes incomplete, is www.pollstar.com. Simply type in the band you’re looking for, or the city, and you’ll get listings for a year in advance. Other clubs to check out are: the 400 Bar (www.400bar.com), The Triple Rock Social Club (www.triplerocksocialclub.com), Fine Line Music CafÈ (www.finelinemusic.com), The Quest Club and its diminutive Ascot Room (www.thequestclub.com).

Many clubs have an established character for certain music. First Avenue, for example, is mostly rock, and The Quest often has more hip-hop and electronic. However, the sad predicament of getting out and seeing the show you really wanted is that being under 21 really does suck.

September—This Saturday, critically acclaimed, musical vareigators The Fiery Furnaces play the 400 Bar in support of their freewheeling, show-timey, new album, Blueberry Boat (21+, $10, 8 p.m.). Tuesday, the 21st, The Black Keys bring their bluesy garage rock for an explosive night at First Avenue (21+, $10adv/$12door, 8 p.m.). Get your Scottish twee fix Wednesday night at Quest with Snow Patrol (18+, $12, 7 p.m.). The Triple Rock hosts cathartic post-rockers Xiu Xiu supporting their latest release Fabulous Muscles (All Ages, $7, 6 p.m.). Sunday, the 26th, electronic pioneers Mouse on Mars plays The Quest (18+, $12, 7 p.m.), and underground hip-hop duo Jedi Mind Tricks take the Ascot stage the night after (18+, $13/$15, 7 p.m.). Also on the 27th punk revivalists, Anti-Flag headline the “Rock Against Bush” tour at First Avenue (All Ages, $15, 5 p.m.). If you still haven’t found your inner Scot yet, check out Trash Can Sinatras, if you like Orange Juice and the Jasmine Minks pay Fine Line Music CafÈ a visit (21+, $16/$18, 7 p.m.). To finish off a bitchin’ September of awkward hook-ups, settle down with that special someone at the Orpheum Theatre on the 30th with sunshiny Brian Wilson (All Ages, $29.50-$150, 7:30 p.m.).

October—Mopey John Vanderslice kicks-off October with a slew of friends at The Triple Rock (21+, $8, 10 p.m.). Garage-rockers, The Dirtbombs take the stage on Saturday, the 2nd at The Triple Rock (21+, $12, 10 p.m.). Sunday, recommended folkster, Damien Jurado impresses at The Turf Club (21+, $10, 8 p.m.) Monday, Nova Scotian rapper/producer Buck 65 plays The Triple Rock, as well (All Ages, $12, 5 p.m.). Omaha’s lo-fi, rockers-gone-goth, The Faint play on Tuesday, the 5th at First Avenue (All Ages, $10/$12, 6 p.m.). Also on the 5th, Bright Eyes, Bruce Sprinsteen, R.E.M., and John Fogerty pretend that they’re making a real difference at the Xcel Center on the “Vote for Change” tour. Friday, indie darlings, The Libertines with Radio 4 go to Fine Line Music CafÈ (18+, $12, 9 p.m.). Low starts a two-night bill at The Triple Rock (21+, $10/$12, 9 p.m.) and on All-ages on Saturday ($10/$12, 6 p.m.). Murky hipsters, Enon, show up on Sunday, the 10th at The Triple Rock (21+, $10/$12, 9 p.m.). Politico-dischorists, Q and Not U also land on The Triple Rock stage, on the 11th (All ages, $8, 5 p.m.). Everyone’s favorite hug, Dan Bern plays to salivating admirers at the 400 Bar on Saturday, the 16th (21+, $10, 8 p.m.). First-years, get ready! Death Cab for Cutie is up for grabs if you’re quick… First Avenue (All ages, $15, 5:30 p.m.). Self-depricating, indie-punk faves, Against Me! treats the masses for two nights (17th & 18th) at The Triple Rock (All Ages, $8, 5 p.m.). Your favorite, insecure, NYU hipsters, Interpol, play First Avenue on Tuesday, the 19th, with Secret Machines (21+, $18, 8 p.m.). Britain’s most squandered talent Badly Drawn Boy gets pissed and puts on a good show at the Pantages Theatre on Wednesday, 20th ($22.50, 7:30 p.m.). Aren’t you jealous you chose Mac over Augsburg? The oft-beloved Gin Blossoms play their hits on Friday at some undisclosed location on the Augsburg campus. Dallas’s seminal alt-country act Old 97’s put on the best show you’ll see, unless you go to Gin Blossoms… First Avenue (21+, $15, 6 p.m.). Playful indie-rocker, Holly Golightly entertains on the 23rd, at the 7th St. Entry (21+, $10/$12, 8 p.m.), while Cake takes the main stage at First Avenue (21+, $30, 6 p.m.). 1980s lo-fi, indie-rock progenitors, The Cramps fire away on Sunday at First Avenue (21+, $15, 8 p.m.). Universally acclaimed Crooked Fingers play Monday at First Avenue (21+, $10, 8 p.m.). Wilco plays with Deerhoof on Monday and Tuesday at the Orpheum ($32.00). Tuesday, 26, former Cracker front man, and seminal ‘80s slacker, David Lowry rejoins his Camper Van Beethoven buddies for some good, old-time irony… First Avenue (21+, $12/$15, 8 p.m.). More alt-country, with the fabulous Drive-by Truckers, with Centro-Matic at First Avenue on Wednesday (21+, $10/$12, 8 p.m.). Liverpool’s Sgt. Pepper’s look-a-likes, Clinic, realize more wasted talent touring their new album, Winchester Cathedral at the Fine Line CafÈ capping-off October on the 29th (18+, $15, 8 p.m.)

How to Get There—First Avenue: Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and St. Anthony Ave. to 94C Express/Minneapolis. Arrive at Fifth St. Transit Center and walk to 701 First Ave. Cost: $1.75. Travel time: 43 minutes. The Triple Rock Social Club: 84 bus Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and University Ave. to 16 University/Minneapolis. Arrive at Washington Ramp and Cedar Ave South; walk to 629 Cedar Ave. Cost: $1.25. Travel time: 33 minutes. The Quest Club: Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and St. Anthony Ave. to 94B Express/Minneapolis. Arrive at Marquette Ave. and Fifth St. Walk to 110 Fifth Street. Cost: $1.75. Travel time: 23 minutes. Fine Line Music CafÈ: Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and St. Anthony Ave. to 94B Express/Minneapolis. Arrive at Fourth St. and Marquette Ave. and walk to 318 First Ave. Cost: $1.75. Travel time: 22 minutes. The Turf Club: Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Arrive at Snelling Ave. and University Ave. and walk to 1601 University Ave. Cost: $1.25. Travel time: 6 minutes. Walk dammit! The Orpheum Theatre:Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and St. Anthony Ave. to 94B Express/Minneapolis. Arrive at Seventh St. and Hennepin Ave. and walk south on Hennepin, theater is between Ninth and Tenth Street. The 400 Bar:Depart from Snelling Ave. and Grand Ave. on the 84 bus towards Rosedale. Transfer at Snelling Ave. and Como Ave. to 3B Como Ave/Downtown Minneapolis. Arrive at Washington Ramp and Cedar Ave. Walk to 400 Cedar Ave. Cost: $1.25. Travel time: 36 minutes.