Flagpole Magazine

This weekly newspaper is the real deal. If you’re into local music, you’re in for a treat: the music section is chock full of features on goings-​on in the ever-​thriving Athens music scene and has a well-​edited, thorough listing of all the shows going on that week. (There’s also a listing of upcoming shows and any shows in Atlanta that may be of interest to readers.) CD reviews, «Threats & Promises» (read: gossip & news heard around town and country), and featured artists and shows help clue you in to what the staff writers think you’d might like to check out.
The other sections of the magazine aren’t as fleshed-​out as the music section, but they’re well-​written and of pretty high caliber. The paper’s editor, Pete McCommons, writes a weekly column («Pub Notes») that keeps uninformed folks like me a little bit more aware of what’s going on in the community, politically speaking. Sometimes he hands the pen – or computer, as it may be – to someone else and we get a different perspective, and that leaves us with an interesting read as well.
The magazine/​paper is definitely run for the people and by the people of Athens. If you’re visiting or have recently arrived as a transplant to our town, skimming through this paper each week will help you get a feel for a few aspects of Athenian life.