At the start of the school year, one of the very first things I did was hunker down on the internet to decide which concerts I would be going to in the coming months.

The problem is, I’ve also been trying to get a handle on my excessive spending, and I knew I couldn’t blow all my money on shows as per usual.

Regardless of the fact that I think live music experiences are priceless and worth (in most cases) every penny, I have to eat too. And honestly, I’d much prefer to buy fresh fruit from Trader Joe’s than the questionable produce at the Bargain Mart. (Side note: Bargain Mart is a great place to get your favorite processed snacks and household cleaning supplies at a cheap price).

My search proved to be fruitless in terms of abundance, and I ended up buying tickets for me and my roommate to see Nine Inch Nails and Explosions in the Sky. Happy as I am that I get to see an old favorite on stage, it did deal quite a blow to my concert budget.

Bummer, right?

No, not quite.

I have decided I am going to table the budget for now and worry about it later because there are just too many great bands coming to town.

However, there is only a certain amount my bank account will let me spend at a time despite my indulgent tossing aside of economic reasoning.

I’ve compiled a list to help me (and you) decide on which shows to attend. All of the necessary information to make these sorts of decisions is here, short and sweet. Age limit and cost speak for themselves, but before you make any decisions, you should always know the venue. Sometimes it can be a deal breaker.

Key Arena

The biggest venue is Key Arena in the Seattle Center. I wouldn’t see anything here unless I really like whoever is playing. Floor tickets are very expensive and you’d be lucky to get one. In most cases, you’ll have to settle for a seat up off the floor, which are a considerable distance from the stage and still kind of pricey. Like I said, only if you really like the band. For instance, Nine Inch Nails was one of my favorite bands in junior high and my love for Trent Reznor has only grown, unfettered by the occasional sensation of shame. Thus, I spent a large sum on a seat that’s pretty much as far as you can get from the stage.

Seattle Theatre Group Venues: The Neptune, The More and The Paramount

The Moore (in Belltown) and The Paramount (downtown) are large and have minimal standing general admission, if at all. The Neptune is better suited for standing room concerts, and is a decent size. Of the three, The Neptune is the cheapest. It’s located in the U District.

Smaller Venues

The Showbox at the Market and Showbox SoDo are also of decent size, but not the cheapest.

When it comes to the smaller venues, there’s a lot to choose from in Seattle. Most Seattle U students are familiar with Neumos right off campus. There are a lot of mixed feeling floating around about this venue, but I think it’s pretty decent. It just depends on the night. A plus is that you can get really close if you play your cards right. Something to keep in mind: you cannot reenter after exiting if you are under 21 years old.

Chop Suey is another usually cheap and smaller venue that’s in Capitol Hill and usually has the right vibe to get the audience members’ booties shakin’.

The Vera Project is a fantastic volunteer-run venue in the Seattle Center that is always all ages. It’s an artistic inspiration-rich environment.

Most other venues that show up in the list below are usually, if not exclusively, for people ages 21 and over. I must mention, though, that The Crocodile, located in Belltown, does have a handful of all ages shows. However, people under 21-years-old are corralled onto a narrow balcony.

With all that in mind, proceed to the list below of shows I would recommend that have been announced as of now.

October
Legendary Pink Dots with Orbit Service
Wednesday, October 16 @ The Crocodile
21+, $20

The Blow with Kisses
Monday, October 21 @ Neumos
21+, $15

Joe Satriani with Living Colour
Tuesday, October 22 @ The Paramount
All Ages, $31.25-$61.25

Bonobo with Grey Reverend
Thursday, October 24 @ Showbox at the Market
All Ages, $20

Okkervil River with Matthew E. White
Friday, October 25 @ Showbox at the Market
All Ages, $20

CocoRosie with Busdriver
Friday, October 25 @ Neumos
All Ages, $25

Au Revoir Simone with CALLmeKAT, Wild Ones
Sunday, October 27 @ Neumos
21+, $15

November
Mazzy Star with The Entrance Band, Mariee Sioux
Monday, November 4 @ The Neptune
All Ages, $35

Deerhoof with LXMP, Jarv Dee
Thursday, November 7 @ The Vera Project
All Ages, $16

Barsuk Records 15th Anniversary Celebration with Menomena, Maps & Atlases, Yellow Ostrich, Cymbals Eat Guitars
Saturday, November 9 @ Neumos
All Ages, $15

James Blake with Nosaj Thing
Wednesday, November 20 @ Showbox SoDo
All Ages, $30

Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin with Army Navy, Hibou
Wednesday, November 20 @ Tractor Tavern
21+, $10

Radiolab Live: Apocalyptical
Thursday, November 21 @ The Paramount
And Friday, November 22 @ The Paramount
All Ages, $32.25-$42.25

Nine Inch Nails with Explosions in the Sky
Friday, November 22 @ Key Arena
All Ages, $50.90-$86.89

December
Take Me Out: The Moth in Seattle
Tuesday, December 3 @ The Neptune
All Ages, $36.50

107.7 The End’s Deck the Hall Ball with Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, The Head and the Heart, Alt-J, Arctic Monkeys, Lorde, Foals
Tuesday, December 3 @ Key Arena
All Ages, $47.70-$77.70

El Ten Eleven with Slow Magic
Friday, December 6 @ Neumos
All Ages, $15

The Dismemberment Plan with Telekinesis
Saturday, December 7 @ The Neptune
All Ages, $26.50

Anna Von Hausswolff
Friday, December 13 @ The Vera Project
All Ages, $11

Built to Spill
Friday, December 27 @ Neumos
And Saturday, December 28
21+, $25

STRFKR
Monday, December 30 @ Neumos
All Ages, $25