Staying in Columbia for the summer to get in-state tuition? (Read: “Avoiding parents?”) Actually live in Columbia? (Wait, people who don’t go to college actually live here?) Live close to CoMo and up for a road trip? Here are some noteworthy summertime concerts sure to suit the taste of anyone lucky enough to live in this city year-round.

Secondhand Serenade — May 22
The Blue Note
Price: $13 advanced, $15 day of.

Anyone who stepped foot in a high school at any point in 2008 probably remembers the piano cheese-fest that is “Fall For You.” The one-man act brings along a backing band and plenty of tweeny punk pop.

Yeasayer, Smith Westerns, Hush Hush — June 3,
The Blue Note
Price:$20

The self-described “Middle Eastern-psych-snap-gospel” group will put on a psychedelic show filled with plenty of dance-worthy jams. Opener Smith Westerns throws in some sunny garage pop. Don’t miss this one.

Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown featuring Willie Nelson and Jamey Johnson — June 10
Midway Expo Center
Price: $45.50

Even out-of-towners might wanna get “On the Road Again” and check out ‘ole Willie and more than seven other country acts at this summer twang-athon. It will cost a pretty penny, though.

Good Charlotte — June 17
The Blue Note
Price: $23

For those still in full-on middle school goth/punk mode or anyone who just wants to get their “Anthem” (or their “Dance Floor Anthem” for the later GC-lovers) on, this is the place to be. And yes, these guys really are still around.

Yo La Tengo — June 10
The Blue Note
Price: $20

This noise pop group has developed a cult following during the past 27 years. Come check out why and put those four years of high school Spanish to good use (don’t worry, they sing in English).

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Dirtfoot — June 24
Mojo’s
Price: $13 advanced, $15 day of

If you never got the chance to see James Brown in concert (and chances are, you didn’t), this is the band for you. Get ready for some good, old-fashioned soulful rock ‘n’ roll that kicks brass and takes names.

Darius Rucker, Drew Davis — July 14
The Blue Note
Price: $25

Remember in “Jerry Maguire” when Cuba Gooding Jr.’s character, Rod Tidwell, gets mistaken for some random ‘90s musician by a kid in an airport? That was Hootie! That’s this guy!

Bright Eyes — July 30
The Blue Note
Price: $30

Conor Oberst, the patron saint of folk, and his gang of acoustics make a stop in Columbia to show off some tunes from the band’s newest release, _The People’s Key_. Fans of overtly poetic lyrics and people with ears should be in for a good show.