CAB Concerts will welcome the bands The Killing Tree and Spitalfield on Sept.18, to the Diversions Lounge at the Holmes Student Center. The show will start at 7 p.m. and is the first of CAB Concert’s upcoming Local Showcase Series.

CAB is placing a new emphasis on local music and inviting the best local bands to play in this ongoing series, providing an opportunity for local bands to open for better-known bands and gain exposure.

“There’s a sense of pride that goes along with local music,” said John Ugolini, the coordinator for CAB Concerts. “The artists can convey what they’re saying with their music.”

The Killing Tree is the major act playing on Wednesday. They have made a place for themselves as one of the fastest-rising bands in Chicago. Their unique brand of straight-forward punk and rock anthems make the band a must-see.

Spitalfield will play after The Killing Tree on Wednesday. They are a unique brand of emo-influenced punk with rock-metal undertones. Spitalfield has been touring the Midwest, recently performing at the Metro and the Fireside Bowl. The band soon will start a nation-wide tour in support of their new album “Faster Crashes Harder.” CAB is holding a poetry contest awarding two tickets to Spitalfield’s CD release party on Sunday.

CAB plans to continue the concert series and invite local artists from a variety of musical genres.

CAB also will videotape the event and replay it on Channel 8 to give the bands continued exposure. CAB Coordinators are working on strengthening the local music scene to give the artists the chance to get noticed.

“Since CAB is for the students, we want people to know that they have a place to go to get exposure,” said Dorian Burkas, CAB Coffee House Coordinator.

CAB hosts an open mic night every Wednesday in the Diversions Lounge at the HSC, and Burkas urges students to attend this event.