Colleges with good rock music scenes

[Anonymous]

My kid is a guitarist and playing in both the school band and a rock band. He does not want to pursue music as a degree or professionally, but he wants to keep playing and gigging in college if possible. Can anyone share schools with particularly good/lively student music scenes? Social media makes it look like UVA has one and maybe W&M. He is not preppy and does not want a big frat scene. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Whoa... college rockers. That is a real rabbithole. Those that I knew ended up in all kinds of places. Everything from dead from overdoses to surgeons to digital nomads to professors. The one I knew with actual go all the way talent just withered away when his super hot girlfriend drained the life-force out of him. The next most talented barely escaped being murdered by drug dealers. Think he inherited some kind of widget factory overseas?

I personally wouldn't choose a school based on its local band scene.

[Anonymous]

Is this something that mommy really needs to crowd source?

Have him get on IG when he's accepted to a school.

[Anonymous]

UNC, UGA

[Anonymous]

UNC

[Anonymous]

This is a great question for your kid to ask during visits.

A friend with a similar guitarist DC said her kid loved W&M, for what that’s worth. It’s currently top choice (not a senior).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UNC, UGA

lol at UGA. REM was about 50 years ago bud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a guitarist and playing in both the school band and a rock band. He does not want to pursue music as a degree or professionally, but he wants to keep playing and gigging in college if possible. Can anyone share schools with particularly good/lively student music scenes? Social media makes it look like UVA has one and maybe W&M. He is not preppy and does not want a big frat scene. Thanks!

Any big state type school will have this, but even my kid at a medium sized school, has found it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is a guitarist and playing in both the school band and a rock band. He does not want to pursue music as a degree or professionally, but he wants to keep playing and gigging in college if possible. Can anyone share schools with particularly good/lively student music scenes? Social media makes it look like UVA has one and maybe W&M. He is not preppy and does not want a big frat scene. Thanks!

Where do you think these student bands get paid to play? I mean, where did Dave Matthews get his start? And Phish?

frat parties.

[Anonymous]

For W&M, your kid might like to know about the Meridian, a student-run coffeehouse / house-that-hosts-small-concerts.

https://www.instagram.com/themeridiancoffeehouse
https://rvamag.com/music/the-meridian-coffeehouse-is-a-diy-haven-on-a-small-college-campus.html

[Anonymous]

We know kids at nyu that play in rock bands in downtown bars for fun. i imagine big and small city schools could be a good fit? Small college towns may have fewer performing opportunities? Regarding frat parties, bands were big in my day, but I think dj is the norm these days?

[Anonymous]

Minnesota

[Anonymous]

Skidmore. Look up Skidmania!

https://www.skidmore.edu/music/skidmania/index.php

[Anonymous]

UGA. A lot of the southern cities have good music scenes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UGA. A lot of the southern cities have good music scenes.

Very good suggestion.