How to catch summer's hottest club concerts for cheap

It's one of the most heartbreaking realities of the digital music era: When the newest crop of rising indie rock stars gear up for a tour of small clubs, it's often a "one and done" affair. Bands graduate to the mid-size theaters or opening slots on arena tours at the speed of a cable Internet connection these days, and if college students want to catch the best bands for minimum cash in an intimate setting, they've simply got to stay on top of upstart new acts and their web-propelled debuts from minute to minute.

In order to give Money College readers the edge and share my passion for the best rising acts in indie music, I've decided to start offering a round-up of the hottest bands touring the small club circuit every couple of months. All of these shows clock in around the $15 range, and you'd best jump on them quickly. They'll most likely sell out early, and chances are that these bands, bolstered by blog hype and copious internet buzz, won't grind it out in the minor leagues for long.

Click on each artist's name for a link to their full tour itinerary and some key tracks at their MySpace or official website.