Buy your tickets now before they’re gone. The shows that make up Columbia’s live music scene span a wide array of artists and styles, and with music venues all over town, there’s something for everyone.

“As a venue, you have a responsibility to bring music that appeals to all different music tastes and parts of the community,” said Matt Gerding, owner of Rose Music Hall and The Blue Note.

The Blue Note and Rose Music Hall host a wide range of artists, not only in terms of style but also popularity. Some more well-known artists are coming soon, like the one The Blue Note just announced this past Sunday: Snoop Dogg will perform in Columbia on Sept. 7. If rap isn’t your thing, some big names in country and folk will be coming soon, too.

“We have six huge shows happening on Ninth Street all during the fall semester, which is more than we usually have this time of year,” Gerding said.

These shows will feature Cody Johnson, Kip Moore, Eli Young Band & Locash, The Head and the Heart, Big Gigantic and Turnpike Troubadours and are expected to draw crowds of at least 3,000 people. Some shows at these venues are booked two months in advance, while bigger shows like the ones on Ninth Street must be booked four to six months ahead of time.

“Most shows we book are part of routed tours,” Gerding said. “We have to convince people that The Blue Note is a great spot and that Columbia is worth coming through.”

If you’re overwhelmed by all these options, Gerding recommends Sylvan Esso.

“They’re a really hot artist right now,” he said. “They have a really unique sound, and it’s the kind of show that Columbia doesn’t often get to see.”

When it comes to smaller artists, Gerding recommends looking into shows at Rose Music Hall. This venue hosts primarily local artists, including Don’t Mind Dying, which is one of Columbia’s biggest local bands and tends to draw larger crowds. Gerding also recommends seeing Moon Hooch on Oct. 12 and the rest of the outdoor shows at that location.

Rose Music Hall is especially student-friendly since MU students are able to student charge tickets at the Missouri Student Association (MSA) Box Office in the lower level of the Student Center, according to Gerding.

Aside from the spike in the number of shows on Ninth Street, Gerding says that otherwise, the balance of types of shows this season is pretty in line with what the venues have had in the past. They are, however, hosting Hannibal Buress for a huge comedy show on Oct. 19, which is out of the ordinary for The Blue Note.

“I always encourage students and the community to take a chance on live music,” Gerding said, “because you might discover your favorite band.”

_Edited by Brooke Collier | [email protected]_