After a week of buying expensive books, locating impossible-to-find classrooms and scribbling down copious notes on UF's honor code, it's time to have some fun.
Gainesville's local music scene will be offering five days of nonstop, inexpensive entertainment during MoeFest 2007. The fest began Wednesday and will continue through Sunday as a variety of bands shake up the downtown scene.
Here are just some of the bands that are worth checking out:
MORNINGBELL
Morningbell's melodic, acoustic instruments coupled with Travis Atria's pure and sometimes spacey voice makes for songs that will put you in a happy daze. Their psychedelic rock sound shines through onstage with skillfully played jams that are reminiscent of the experimental sound of The Flaming Lips.
Why You Should Listen:
Morningbell is for everyone who wants to be taken on a musical time warp. The band is unique in that it takes advantage of the current trend of computer-generated sound and synthesizers while also featuring the simplicity of the early Beatles and the untainted sounds of their instruments. Morningbell will captivate your inner '60s nostalgia.
Playing at MoeFest: Friday, 11 p.m. at The Side Bar
BANG BANG BOOM
With a classic sound featuring crazy guitar flair and garage-rock vocal influences, Bang Bang Boom is exactly the explosion that its name suggests. Bang Bang Boom is revitalizing the edgy, authentic side of rock 'n' roll.
Why You Should Listen:
Their musical influences come from the '50s and '60s as well as from the newer sounds of indie and garage rock, allowing their music to span generations and genres.
Playing at MoeFest: Friday, 9 p.m. at The Side Bar
MARCH TO MAY
March to May use a piano-driven sound to stand out against the other bands, but their talent doesn't stop at the keyboard. The catchy sounds of March to May make them easy to listen to and almost impossible to turn off.
Why You Should Listen:
March to May is able to pull off indie improv, a talent that even the most experienced bands struggle with. This quick-on-their-feet genius coupled with an original take on the indie sound makes music that is easy to move to.
Playing at MoeFest: Saturday, 10 p.m. at 1982 Bar
INUIT JARGON
Get ready to laugh and be musically impressed at the same time. Everything seems to be a big gag for these three talented jokesters - everything except their sound. This band can make anything into a song that is sure to get stuck in your head.
Why You Should Listen:
Who wouldn't want to listen to toe-tapping pop and rock tunes with lyrics spanning the important issues of pulled pork sandwiches and Lance Bass? Their smooth sound and comical lyrics give Inuit Jargon a reputation around Gainesville for being one of the most original acts in town.
Playing at MoeFest: Friday, 10:30 p.m. at The Side Bar
INDIGOVOX
Electronic music that will put you in a trance and get you dancing at the same time barely begins to describe IndigoVox's robotic sound. With a weirdness that resembles the Brazilian Girls, IndigoVox is a solo artist and creates the dreamlike music all on her own.
Why You Should Listen:
While electronic music is not what usually wails from the bars and pubs in downtown Gainesville, experiencing the mind-expanding beats of IndigoVox will be a concert that is hard to get out of your head - no strobe lights needed.
Playing at MoeFest: Saturday, 9 p.m. at 1982 Bar
EMPTY FIFTH
Empty Fifth may be an old-fashioned rock 'n' roll band, but they have a fierce twist. They come to shake things up and share their special sound of Johnny Cash blues with a hint of Ritchie Valens rock, topped off with a vintage feel.
Why You Should Listen:
"Rockabilly," a term coined in the 1950's to describe one of the earliest styles of rock 'n' roll music, is brought back to life by Empty Fifth (with a little something extra to dance to).
Playing at MoeFest: Friday, 10 p.m. at BackStage Lounge
UMOJA ORCHESTRA
"Umoja" means "unity," which is what happens onstage and in the audience at an Umoja Orchestra show. The band (which can fill the stage with as many as 10 people at a time) and its mix of jazz, Latin, Afro-beat and funk promote harmony through their laidback, eclectic sound.
Why You Should Listen:
Umoja Orchestra crams so many different sounds into their music that it is a wonder they fit together with such ease. The band promotes love and good vibes while using rare instruments such as the shekere and timbales to enchant and excite their eclectic audiences.
Playing at MoeFest: Friday, 10 p.m. at Common Grounds
