Before April 24 arrives, now is the time to brush up on your musical knowledge and prepare for the trio of bands making its way to Knoxville. Lucky for you, The Daily Beacon is here to make sure your concert experience is one for the books.

Bad Suns: Adding their share of alternative vibes to the mix, the Bad Suns were born under the California sun, and it’s easy to tell. Smooth bass lines mesh with steady, relaxing percussion that makes a solid beat to groove to. Expect something to shake your rump to, but not necessarily blow your mind.

Cold War Kids: Another California-bred, alternative band, Cold War Kids offer less in the way of groove and more in the way of blues-rock. Steady rock to close your eyes and nod your head to, with that added nostalgia bonus from your middle school days. Nothing too dangerous here, but expect a heartfelt performance from a band who peaked alongside MySpace.

Lupe Fiasco: By far the biggest name on the ticket, Lupe Fiasco speaks for himself. The only non-alternative act of the event, the hip-hop artist offers standard beats, yet with rhymes that refreshingly tackle social issues rather than the standard, big money approach that is all the rage with the kids today. Remember that song “The Show Goes On?” Yeah, he’s probably gonna play that one.