As a future employee to the music industry, I am constantly scoping out places to go see live music around Indiana. Being a Purdue student, I have found that we actually have a couple really awesome venues that students may not know exist!
308 on State: 308 has one of the coolest spots I’ve seen live music on campus. The stage is on the second floor of the building that was originally home to the Harlequin Club, that later developed into the Purdue Theater Department. Now, the venue has recently become home to 308 on State that is excited about filling the space with more live entertainment! Definitely keep your eyes peeled for some shows at this rad venue.
Lafayette Theater: So I had the pleasure of seeing Lettuce, this funky fusion jam band, a couple weeks ago at the Lafayette Theater. After going, I was blown away. The venue is divided into two floors; one for standing / dancing and another for sitting at a table with a drink to enjoy the show. It was a very cozy space, but also big enough to host some really cool shows. No matter where you are in the building you have a very clear view of the performance. There’s a great bar, and the staff was very helpful and attentive. I loved my experience at this venue and will definitely be making more visits.
Greyhouse Coffee & Supply: If you go to Purdue and like music, you are definitely familiar with Starry Night Festival. What you might not know is that Greyhouse hosts more concerts year round besides the annual fall music and arts festival. On different weekends throughout the year you can attend a show for free and see different acts perform. In the past year they have had acts like Mike Mains, Saint Aubin, Chad Lehr, Vesperteen and Grey Lamb. Greyhouse is the perfect place to grab a London Fog and discover your new favorite band.
Carnahan Hall: I first discovered Carnahan Hall last November when Shiny Penny performed there as a part of their big fall tour. There was a blend of students and Lafayette community members at the event and the show was fun and engaging. Carnahan Hall hosts very professional feeling events you wouldn’t expect to find in a small Indiana city. I have a feeling big things are in store for this small venue’s future.
There are more things to do on campus than you would think, you just have to know where to look. Grab your friends, go out, support local music.