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To get information about shows, I have discovered that the Internet is the perfect tool. The three most useful free websites are : Pollstar, Wilma and Ticketmaster Online.
Pollstar (http://www.pollstar.com) is my favorite site. Out of the three, it contains the most information . From my experience it is usually accurate. Pollstar has an easy to use interface that lets you search by Artist, City, or Venue.
A particularly useful feature is the ability for it to return information on cities near the one you are looking up. Returned information can also be limited to a date range. Pollstar also features stories on bands and other music related topics. The site may not be as pretty as the others, but in my opinion is the best.
Wilma (http://www.wilma.com) is a very well organized and designed site but sometimes lacks the information that Pollstar and Ticketmaster have. The site, however, does sport some pretty nifty features. You can create a free account (not required for use) that stores all of your favorite bands and locales.
Once logged in, Wilma gives you a break down of how many of your favorite bands are playing in your favorite locales. If you're really lazy, Wilma can even e-mail this information to you. Wilma also allows you to start discussions concerning bands, shows, or whatever else you want to talk about.
You can also configure what other users can know about you ranging from E-mail address to favorite bands. Like Pollstar, it allows features articles on bands and other music-related topics.
Ticketmaster Online (http://www.ticketmaster.com) is the most reliable and accurate site for show information. This stems from the fact that they sell the tickets for the shows they list. Searching for information can be a bit clumsy. Ticketmaster does have an Artist search, but if the band you are looking for is not the primary act or if the show is a festival, you probably won't get any hits back. Both Wilma and Pollstar will tell you most or all the bands playing.
I mainly use Ticketmaster online to see if they are selling tickets for the event and how much the tickets are. You can purchase tickets online, but I would not recommend it. For example, I purchased two $15 tickets online and, after a multitude of miscellaneous charges besides the convenience charge, the final price ended up being $45, hence I would recommend buying tickets at local outlets. The drawbacks to this is that outlets are cash-only and, for some reason, Ticketmaster is closing its outlets in a lot of record stores.
The closest non-record store outlet is the Publix in Buckhead at 2868 Peachtree Rd. NW (404) 848 -0330. HMV (404) 816-8383 in Lenox Mall is also a Ticketmaster outlet. Lenox Mall is easily accessible by taking the North MARTA line from the North Avenue station (NE3) to Lenox station (NE7). Publix, however, is hike south of Buckhead Station (N7) or an annoying Bus ride on Bus 23 from Lenox Station (NE7).
You now know where to get show information. So it's time to talk about the places to see them.
The dive where I see the majority of the shows is The Masquerade (695 North Ave. NE (404)577-8178). The Masquerade, located across the street from City Hall East and Police HQ, is very close to campus. I even walked there once to go see Bad Religion when they played there a couple of years ago. I wouldn't recommend doing this because it is about a 15 minute hike through some of the "not too safe" neighborhoods of Atlanta. You can also take Bus 2 from North Ave Station (NE3) to the Kroger on Ponce De Leon, just past Eats and City Hall. From there walk east to Somerset Terrace, then south on Somerset to North Ave. Go West on North Ave, The Masquerade will be on the left, before City Hall. Take a car if you can. Just go East on North Ave. It will be on the right, just past City Hall. The charge for parking ranges from $5 to $10 depending on the day of the week or show.
The Masquerade mainly hosts ska, punk, and indie rock shows, and the occasional pop show. Notable bands that have played there include the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Less Than Jake, Lagwagon, and Anthrax. The show prices range from about $5 to $20 and are general admission.
The Club, which resides in an old warehouse/factory, is divided into three levels: Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. It also has an outdoor component called the Masquerade Music Park where they often hold spring and summer shows. Getting back to the three levels, Heaven is where all the shows are usually held.
Most shows are 18 and up, but they do have All Ages shows. Purgatory is more of a generic bar with pool tables and such. The lower level, aptly named Hell, is a disco. There they pump out the normal Rave/Techno fair .
Sometimes Hell has foam night where they fill the entire dance floor with foam. It's definitely something to interesting to do. All three levels have a bar. Smoking is permitted.
Another good spot to see shows is The Roxy (3110 Roswell RD. NW 404.233.7699) located in the heart of Buckhead. The Roxy is a decent venue with a standing room only lower floor and a balcony with seats. Shows are general admission (including the balcony, when open) and range in price from about $10 to $30. Most shows are All Ages.
The Roxy tends to feature bigger name alternative bands. Bands that have graced the stage there include The Might Mighty Bosstones, Reel Big Fish, Goldfinger, and Sugar Ray. Seeing the stage is not too hard because the bottom floor has a slight downward slope towards the stage and you can go upto the balcony to avoid the crowd. Smoking is not permitted inside, however there is a designated smoking area. Reentry is usually not allowed. A drawback to The Roxy are the security guys who are very annoying. There is also a bar that serves alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks at the normal over inflated prices.
The best way to get to The Roxy is by car. Take I75/85 North to GA 400 and get off at Exit 2, Buckhead Loop. Go right from the exit and then take another right on Peachtree RD (going south). Stay on Peachtree RD until it intersects with Roswell RD. The Roxy is at this intersection. Parking can range from $5 to $15 depending upon the day of the week and the show.
By MARTA. From North Avenue Station (NE3), go North to Lenox Station (NE7). Take Bus 23 South until it intersect Roswell RD. on Peachtree RD. Be wary, the bus ride may be very slow through Buckhead.
A fun place to visit in Atlanta is Little Five Points. Little Five Points is a magical place where body piercing and Marlyn Manson wannabes can easily be seen. Besides clubs and piercing shops, Little Five Points has two great stores, Criminal Records and Junkman's Daughter.
Criminal Records (http://www.criminal.com) is a local independent record store. Their selection is really good and their prices are even better. New CDs range in price from $8 to $14. They also have a limited used CD selection. Criminal Records has the best selection of punk, ska, indie rock, and DJ mixes that I have found in Atlanta. They also sell comics, anime, books, and fanzines.
Right next door to Criminal records is Junkman's Daughter (http://www.junkmans.com), a store that sells everything else that other stores don't. Besides clothes and shoes, unique and retro items can be found. Enough said, go and explore for yourself. If you don't visit Junkman's Daughter at least once while in Atlanta, you're missing out on a very "unique" shopping experience.
This freak magnet is located a little bit east of campus. By car, go east on North Ave until you reach Moreland Ave. Continue south down Moreland Ave. until things get weird (around Euclid St.). By Bus, take Bus 2 East from North Ave. Station (NE3) to the intersection of Moreland/Briarcliff and Ponce De Leon. Transfer to Bus 48 South and get off at Euclid and Moreland.
All MARTA information from (http://www.itsmarta.com) . The Student Center Box Office also has MARTA information. All addresses and phone numbers from the Online Yellow pages at (http://yp. bellsouth. com). Electronic Maps can also be acquired from the Yellow Pages Online.