Though Wash. U. metro passes are often viewed as a godsend, they only get us to places where the public transportation reaches. When those of us without cars venture into the greater St. Louis area, it is usually with a destination in mind. This unfortunately means that many don’t get to experience the life of the St. Louis local, especially the local music scene.

While our grandparents may quietly complain about how different kids these days are from kids back in the day, we don’t expect to hear any complaints from our grandparents about the Chicago-based band Kids These Days, who the Gargoyle and Kuumba TV will bring to campus on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

You may know him as Rev. Run’s preteen son who terrorized “Run’s House,” but Diggy Simmons is trying to make a name for himself. After releasing his first mixtape, “The First Flight,” in 2009, Diggy garnered buzz across the Internet and the industry. This buzz then translated into a record deal with Atlantic Records.

Grab your 10-gallon hats and slip into your rockin’- and rollin’-est cowboy boots. Country music icon Reba McEntire is coming to St. Louis. While the redhead’s over-40-year career has proved to be an inspiration for several newer country artists like Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes and Faith Hill, Reba continues to put out No. 1 hit after No. 1 hit.

A trio of musicians at Louisiana State University formed the band Better Than Ezra over two decades ago. While the band’s membership has changed over the years, the alternative-rock music has aged well enough. Songs like “Good,” “A Lifetime” and “Desperately Wanting” have kept them current. The trio will be performing at the Lumière Theatre at St.

Sugarland, the bubbly pop-country duo comprised of Atlanta natives Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, brings its show to the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre this Friday, Oct. 7. With more than 10 Grammys and five No. 1 U.S. country singles to its credit, the band represents the rare combination of being beloved by both critics and fans alike.

As you all know, W.I.L.D. is this Friday. There will be lots of pre-gaming, a musical act you may or may not have heard of and the majority of the Washington University student body wandering around the Quad. It’s a good Wash. U. bonding experience. But this year, W.I.L.D. coincides with DAYGLOW. Guess what?

Microsoft Word doesn’t recognize “afrobeat” as a word. Thankfully, that hasn’t stopped the Chicago Afrobeat Project (also known as CAbP) from rocking the stage.

Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon bought a defunct veterinary clinic in Fall Creek, Wis., in 2008, with the sole purpose of remodeling it into a recording studio. The product: newly released self-titled album “Bon Iver.”

For a long time, it was practically a requirement for anyone who was into indie rock to like Arcade Fire. Every self-respecting hipster had a copy of “Neon Bible” tucked away somewhere. And leaving aside the paradox of being a widely known indie band, Arcade Fire still rocks.