By, Maura Mulvihill

As a big fan of live music and also a big fan of Fordham and also a big fan of live music at Fordham, I’ve spent a decent amount of time in the various venues that have so generously agreed to host a plethora of live music acts. Though I appreciate all of these venues for hosting us Fordham students, I can’t deny the fact that all venues are not created equal. Some have simply cultivated a better vibe for what the Fordham music scene has to offer. I have taken the liberty of ranking them, in order of best to worst.

  1. Someone’s Super Grimy Basement or Backyard Full of People Packed in like a Can of Sardines
    1. In my humble opinion, this is simply the best way to experience live music at Fordham. There is literally nothing better than dancing like crazy to some band in someone’s backyard or, better yet,  a dusty, all concrete basement. I feel like these settings are where I’ve seen bands at Fordham really let loose and provide an unforgettable experience.
  2. Rodrigues Coffee House
    1. Though I may be impartial as an active member of Rods, I think it is one of the best ways to experience live music and especially student bands at Fordham. Though Rods has hosted a variety of well known music acts over the years such as Mitski and Dorian Electra, some of the best Rods shows have consisted of Fordham bands. Events like Battle of the Bands give student bands the opportunity to show off their talent while bunches of students flock to show their support.
  3. Grandpa’s Basement
    1. Though Pugsleys is known for its pizza, it has also come to be affiliated with live music in the past year. Though shows there are sometimes few and far between, the strange ambiance, pool table, and shortly staffed bar all make the basement of Pugsley Pizza a really interesting place to watch some live music. Whether it’s a DJ set or a live band, Grandpa’s Basement has somehow proved to be one of my favorite places to hear some music at Fordham. 
  4. Mugz
    1. I’m giving Mugz a special shout out here because I think it is strangely the best bar venue to host live music at Fordham. Though there are other bars where I have watched bands perform, Mugz stands out as a winner to me. Though it seems like an odd choice, I have my reasons. The small size gives the shows a super intimate feel, plus I always feel right at home in Mugz, so I’m not afraid to start dancing with my friends if I like the music. I also would be remiss not to mention Suits’ “Mugzchella”, an idea he has thrown around many a time, which would hypothetically consist of a “music festival” of Fordham student acts performing in Mugz during spring weekend. Fingers crossed that I can see Mugzchella become a reality before I graduate. 
  5. Miscellaneous Bars
    1. Finally, I have to mention other miscellaneous bars, like Cantina, Clinton Hall, and even Last Call and Barnyard, that have been so wonderful as to host Fordham’s live music acts. Though they may not be my favorite, they have given musicians a place to perform. That’s pretty amazing in its own right.

Whether you agree with my rankings or think I’m a total idiot, I hope that at the very least this article has inspired you to check out all the Fordham live music scene has to offer.