In Ithaca this fall, the concert lineup is straight up absurd. Between St. Vincent, the Meat Puppets, Ra Ra Riot, Gov't Mule, Built to Spill, Sufjan Stevens at Castaways (Still. Can. Not. Believe. It.), and Dan Deacon and the Mountain Goats brought to us by our own Bureau of Concerts (BOC), I doubt there has ever been a fall before in which students and residents alike have had such plentiful opportunities to get so thoroughly up to the neck in the blissful sweatiness that is live music.

The Hold Steady

The icing, of course, on this cupcake of aural awesomeness has to be the Positive Jam. Aside from the fact that it's named after a Hold Steady song, this music fest on the shores of Stewart park (willow trees are SO rock 'n roll) can't NOT be a killer party considering the lineup. Starting off is Caution Children, an IC band that has been described as "Bruce Springsteen with bipolar disorder." They're followed by Deer Tick, the Rural Alberta Advantage, and the Felice Brothers, three bands whom I've had the total pleasure of seeing this year, and can say with complete conviction are amazing live.

Deer Tick

Topping off the festival lineup is the indisputably (I guess you could dispute it, but I would dispute it right back with a FERVOR) amazing Hold Steady. That's right; Craig Finn and the boys are back for the second time in three months because, apparently, they just love Ithaca that much. This July they came to Castaways (a nice underplay, after having opened for Dave Matthews Band all summer) and played a show that no one who was there will soon forget, as everyone's faces were rocked clean off.

Get ready for a set packed with stupendous sing-alongs, the best modern rock 'n roll out there, and one of the greatest mustaches in the music world.

The Hold Steady at Castaways this summer

The Jam starts at noon this Sunday -- a perfect Labor Day weekend treat. I'll be there from the very beginning, gathering concert photos, videos, and probably stories of failed attempts at socialization with the bands for your viewing pleasure here on Rattle! Come out for yourself, though, as you'll never find a better way to start out the new year.

As for the Hold Steady, don't be afraid to get up to the front during their set. Sometimes it hurts a little bit, but it's worth it.