Columbia’s live music scene this spring is sure to draw crowds, with big names coming to The Blue Note all semester long. The venue will host artists that span genres, from indie rock to folk and blues. Whether you prefer a high-energy concert or a more mellow singer-songwriter type of show, there will be something for you to enjoy. Some of these shows are not to be missed, so get your tickets as soon as you can.

One of the most highly anticipated shows of the season is sure to be Portugal. The Man and Twin Peaks. The show, which will be at The Blue Note on Valentine’s day, is already sold out and will no doubt be an incredible night. Portugal. The Man, originally from Alaska, has been making waves in the rock world for years, most recently with its hit “Feel it Still.”
Know before you go: [Feel it Still](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBkHHoOIIn8), [So Young](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzzffLkzNKY), [Live in the Moment](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hha0bwVvGmY)

Twin Peaks will open the show on Feb. 14. The band started playing its classic garage rock in Chicago, where the members went to high school, and has been beloved by fans ever since. It has recently been working with Calpurnia, a band fronted by one of the “Stranger Things” stars, Finn Wolfhard. This will be a night of rock you won’t want to miss. If you don’t have a ticket already, ask around and see who has an extra.
Know before you go: [“Making Breakfast”] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl9SRsPbWLM
), [“Shake Your Lonely”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjJOC5cR3GA), [“Wanted You”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7B21_ywtek)

Indie rock band Hippo Campus will also stop by The Blue Note on Feb. 2. The four Minnesota natives have put out three EPs since their debut in 2014 and just put out their first full-length album last February. They have a classic indie sound that draws on many other bands in the genre. Songs like “Little Grace” are reminiscent of Vampire Weekend’s sound, from the intricate riffs to Jake Luppen’s vocals, while “The Halocline” sounds like a Fleet Foxes song.
Know before you go: [“Way it Goes”] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3TQKEUne5Q), [“Suicide Saturday”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50wYE7ogsTk), [“South”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ure4jaEue5U)

Columbia is also lucky enough to host Julien Baker later this spring. Baker, a singer-songwriter from Memphis, will put on moving a show in April at The Blue Note. Her songs are heart-wrenching and have been described by The Fader as “cathartic.” Her indie folk music is intensely personal, especially on her most recent album, Funeral Pyre. While a lot of shows this spring will be great for dancing, this is one where you are more likely to stand in awe and get introspective.
Know before you go: “Appointments,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdBu21i9aEE) “Turn Out the Lights,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV1dMqeb4_U) “Distant Solar Systems”

Later in April, Dr. Dog will take the stage at The Blue Note. Dr. Dog has an infamously large discography. The band has been together for around 15 years and has put out almost as many albums. Its indie rock is inspired by the ‘60s and will make for the perfect high-energy show everyone will need at the end of the semester. Its next album, Critical Equation, comes out on April 27, just a couple weeks after their show in Columbia. It’s likely that it will play some unreleased songs from its upcoming album at this show.
Know before you go: “Where’d All the Time” Go?(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmZQpbNK7t4), “Heart it Races,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHPXXphhiBc) “Listening In” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cmHsBA0WLA)

Waxahatchee and Hurray for the Riff Raff are set to be one of the last concerts of the spring, coming to The Blue Note on April 25. Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee first released her bedroom-recorded album American Weekend in 2012. Since then, she’s put out three more studio albums and has toured with big names like Sleater-Kinney and Kurt Vile. She’s also toured with indie rock band Snail Mail, who visited Columbia earlier this fall. Crutchfield lays it all on the table in her synth-backed indie rock. Her songs gradually build energy and are full of intimate details that make you feel like you know the singer personally.
Know before you go: “Summer of Love,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YJ0zF_rJo8) “Never Been Wrong,” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDaccHBAGcM) “Silver.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBpMXuzHR3I)

New Orleans-based band Hurray for the Riff Raff will join Crutchfield onstage. Alynda Segarra’s folk-blues is beautifully simplistic and honest. Her voice as she tells stories over music with just the right amount of twang. Some of these are her own, but many of her most popular songs are covers of classic rock songs, like “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Jealous Guy.” Her songs often have a melancholic feel but don’t feel overwhelmingly sad. Their upbeat backing music juxtaposes the heavy subjects Segarra sings about. This leads to a compelling mix of emotions that will make you want to keep listening.
Know before you go: “Entrance” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kkzHgoaYqU), “The Navigator” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqNAD0_zsuw) , Hungry Ghost (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xRJ-MuN46E)

_Edited by Brooke Collier | bcollier@themaneater.com_