I've always had a special place in my heart for live music, and after coming to Bloomington after living in a cesspool of nothingness in northern Indiana, I've gone into a bit of a music overload.

Example: as i type this, I'm getting my shit together as quickly as possible to head to a battle of the bands at Uncle Fester's House of Blooze downtown when in fact I should probably be spending my night catching up on about 6,000 other things. (I blame it on my deep love of music, but really I think it's just me continuing to practice my skills of procrastination).

ANYWAY. There are lots of places to see live music in Bloomington. There are even more bands that are really, really good. But for now, here's a rundown on why each venue is good (and bad).

Uncle Fester's House of Blooze

Pros: An awesome atmosphere (there's a balcony that wraps around above the stage so you can be up close without being crushed in the front row), and good bands that no one has ever heard of play here constantly. Great place to find new music.

Cons: Cover is usually a bitch, drinks are a lil pricey, and this place is super small.

The Bluebird Nightclub

Pros: Fifteen cent beer every Wednesday, huge area for standing below the stage, great sound, multiple bars so shorter lines....(if you couldn't guess, yes this place is my favorite).

Cons: Even though it's huge, it still gets ridiculously packed. And usually with popped collar, flat-billed Fratty McDouchebags on Wednesdays. I blame the fifteen cent beer.

Buskirk-Chumley Theatre

Pros: Even though it's a different atmosphere than bars, they still sell alcohol, and the bands that play here are pretty phenomenal. Margot and the Nuclear So and So's played here last spring, Regina Spektor the year before.

Cons: It is a theatre, so security is usually a little tighter and there's less area for standing room only below the stage. And those awesome concerts are usually few and far between.

Waldron Arts Center

Pros: Again, awesome bands that are usually huge in the Indie scene. Vampire Weekend was here last year, Man Man was here last spring, and a whole slew of other bands anyone wearing scarves, skinny jeans and thick rimmed glasses would kill to see.

Cons: No booze :(