Graphic by Lexi Marcellino

Why is it that in almost every other state lacking concerts isn’t an issue? If we lived in Colorado, we would have concerts every weekend in stadiums built out of rock that feature artists who return every year to perform at a unique venue. If we lived in California, we would spend the year counting down to Coachella. If we couldn’t afford Coachella because we still rely on our parents, we could go see our favorite band in one of the three shows that they would perform in state. One of the three concerts means that a band would rather play three different venues across California than play one in Florida.

I’ve been stalking my favorite artists since the moment their album has dropped, waiting for the list of places they would hit on their tours. Yet after extensive research, I’ve discovered that my favorite bands: Alabama Shakes, The Vaccines, and Tame Impala haven’t included Florida on their lists. In fact, almost all bands touring haven’t included a Florida venue on their list.

Sure, we had a performance from J. Cole last week, and Taylor Swift is due for one in October, but where are the rock bands? The indie bands? The British Bands? Once in a while, Lana Del Rey will grace us with her presence and maybe take a selfie with us, and Alt-J will be here Thursday, Oct. 1. Out of the thousands of amazing bands who are touring this year, we only get a small handful who decide the seven hour detour is worth it.

When you look up the top bands touring this year, Rolling Stone gives you a list of thirty, and about seven are hitting Florida. The ones who we’re so lucky to experience are almost like the understudies of the ones we’re missing. “Oops we can’t get a Beatle, can the Rolling Stones make it again?” One Direction is too busy trying to figure out how to market themselves without their best singer so they sent their opener, Five Seconds of Summer. That’s like ordering an appetizer with your meal and the waiter responding,“Sorry, sir. The butcher didn’t kill enough baby cows for your veal, so here’s that head of lettuce you were also expecting.” The Weeknd is coming Dec. 19, and Nicki Minaj was here, but we lose A$AP Rocky. We’re missing the Foo Fighters, but oh, don’t worry, Dave Matthews Band is here. The bands that are hitting South Florida are nothing compared to Spoon, The Fratelli’s, U2, Of Monsters and Men, and Ringo Starr who are hitting the big venues across the country. There are only two members of the Beatles alive, and both of them have decided that Florida isn’t worth a visit. But there’s no need to get upset, everyone’s favorite indie band, Suicide Silence, is coming, so you can mark your calendars in anticipation.

Not only the fact that every band has up and left us, but for the past two years I’ve looked forward to the Coral Skies and Coastline music festival that comes at the end of October/mid November Coral Skies, and Coastline features alternative and Indie music. Coral Skies hasn’t updated its website since last summer, and Coastline came earlier this year in its “fun new location” of Pompano Beach. There probably will not be a festival later this fall. Yes, we have Sunfest, but lately it hasn’t included a large list of bands people like or actually know.

If something isn’t done about this soon, I’ll be forced to make my own band. But don’t worry, I’ll probably refuse to play here too.