This week, Mizzou Electronic Music Organization hosts Manic Focus, one of many of the scheduled performers for this year’s MEMO concert series.

#### The lowdown

On Sept. 1, Chicago artist John McCarten, known as Manic Focus, comes to The Blue Note. The Thursday night show starts at 9 p.m., and doors open at the same time. It’ll be important to get to the venue before then if you want to guarantee a good spot in the front seats of the balcony or right next to the speakers near the stage. The Blue Note’s motto is “Beer tastes better in the front row,” so make sure you’re there early and ready to jam.
While I hadn’t heard anything by Manic Focus before, I’ve found that the artist has a pretty good following of “MF’ers” across the globe. The show at The Blue Note is only one stop on the national tour, called Minds Rising.

####The bands

Manic Focus is a self-proclaimed blend of “Hip-Hop, funk and electronic soul music,” and I agree that his music is definitely unique. All his music is on Spotify for you to check out, too. Manic Focus has been to The Blue Note several times before, so show him some love on his return.

Linear Symmetry, the band alongside Manic Focus, has a more definitive style; they have electronic violin featured in some of their work. One of my favorite things in music is when a band, especially one with a fast pace, uses instruments typically seen alongside slow, classical music, and Linear Symmetry does it incredibly well.

####Parking

Like always, the best way to park for a show at The Blue Note is to park at the garage on Cherry Street. It is my go-to parking spot, and is free after 6. There is parking in downtown Columbia, but you’ll have to pay and guesstimate how long the show will be so you can feed the meter. If you plan to come a little early to wait in line, I suggest grabbing food on your way, or planning a sit-down at Shotgun Pete’s nearby. If you’re more interested in coffee, you’re within blocks of three great shops: Kaldi’s, Lakota and Coffee Zone.

####Noteworthy tunes

**_We Can Fly_ by Manic Focus**

The blend of acoustic sounds and an electronic beat make this song pretty great. I listened to it while I was studying. Actually, the whole 2014 _Cerebral Eclipse_ album was playing while I studied, and it made me super focused.

**_Du Du Du_ remix by Manic Focus**

This song has a really good drop in the beginning, and I think it would be perfect for an movie scene. (Producers, where ya at?)

**_World_ by Linear Symmetry**

With a slow opening, sweet-sounding vocals and a moderate drop, this song is going to be a dance hit on Thursday night.