Zach Dyer

The Varsity Show, one of Columbia’s oldest traditions, is intended to be a satire on student life. Every year since 1894, a team of Columbia and Barnard students has created an entirely original musical about life at Columbia during the past year—including news events, student issues, and neighborhood changes.

In their debut album, Hold On Now Youngster..., Los Campesinos! exhibit their incredible talent, not only in presentation, but also in musicality.

The Grayson Sanders Band, Taken By Tree, Wildwood and Wye Oak

Isaac Sullivan sat alone in an alcove of Butler Library, precociously spreading out his books on the table in front of him, grabbing some off the shelves to make his study situation seem slightly more intense than it actually was.

Monday night was a night of rock ‘n’ roll and surprisingly little politics for what was billed as a Barack Obama rally. In an effort to remind college students to vote the next day, a diverse group of indie rockers gathered at the Bowery Ballroom, joined by Stella Comedy.

There’s a feeling of betrayal when a bad cover comes on the radio. The recognition of “I love this song!” will often deteriorate into “Why would anyone ruin it?” after about thirty seconds.

Saturday, January 26 — Get Him Eat Him, a self-promoting indie rock band from Providence, Rhode Island, just finished its fourth national tour, which included dates with Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, Arcade Fire, and The Walkmen. With their catchy guitar, synth-speak, and a lead singer who can actually sing, this concert will probably play more like a dance party. Southpaw at 9, tickets are $12 at the door.

Follow the Lights is not a Ryan Adams record; it is a record by a band called The Cardinals, of which Ryan Adams is a member. At least, this is what Adams would like you to think.

“Everything depends on the crowd,” said Nate Henry, lead vocalist of Sherwood. “If the crowd is loving it, they give us so much energy, and our performance is just fun.”

To wrap up a solid year of touring for their hit release The Crane Wife, the Decemberists will set off on a final two-month U.S. leg this Sunday. The tour, titled “The Long and Short of It,” is a series of two-night stands in each city.