Everyone wants to escape from the douchebaggery of the bar scene and the jacked-up prices of restaurants, but many people are still struggling to find cool events at which to ring in the new year. Considering it’s already December 20th, now is probably the time to pull the trigger make a final decision. Let’s take a look at 10 of the more interesting concerts celebrating the beginning of 2008.

1. Boy We Wish We Lived in Australia: Girl Talk, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Kings of Leon and The Go! Team rock the Falls Festival in Marion Bay, Australia

2. From MSG to the middle of nowhere in 11 years: Blues Traveler hit the peak of their popularity on December 31st, 1996 when they performed to a sold out Madison Square Garden. This year the Traveler plan to play a place just a little bit smaller. If you happen to live in Anchorage, Alaska check them out at the Bear Tooth Theatre.

3. Well This Is Why Phil Isn’t Playing on NYE: Jackie Greene takes the stage with his solo band at Marilyn’s on K in Sacramento, CA. Will Phil show up? We’re guessin’ yes.

4. Aren’t You Supposed to Cover Albums on Halloween?: Rose Hill Drive covers Aerosmith’s Toys In The Attic on both December 30th and 31st at the Boulder Theater

Read on after the jump for more possible events this New Year’s Eve…

5 and 6. Shootout at the String Band Corral: Yonder Mountain String Band faces off against arch nemesis Hot Buttered Rum String Band with dueling gigs in Denver. HBRSB rocks the Oriental Theater, while YMSB rolls at The Fillmore Auditorium. There may be a gang fight.

YMSB:

HBRSB:

7. What a difference four years makes: Phish played four epic shows to ring in the New Year at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. This year R. Kelly brings Trapped In The Closet to the venue.

8. The family that plays together…: It will be a family affair at the Fox in Atlanta where the Derek Trucks Band and Susan Tedeschi join forces with the North Mississippi Allstars for what is sure to be a stirring celebration.

9. Toughest Ticket on NYE?: Dark Star Orchestra sold out the Keswick Theater in Glenside, PA within days of tickets going on sale. Good luck finding ducats anywhere but on eBay, where the current bid for two tickets is $170 with four days remaining.

10. Best Bang for Your Buck: You can check out over 35 live bands, DJs and other performers for a mere $75 at the Sea of Dreams New Year’s Eve 2008 celebration at San Francisco’s Concourse Exhibition Center. We’d be especially psyched to see Kinky, who blew our minds at Langerado ‘06.

How are you ringing in the New Year? I’m headed to Chicago for the debut of Wyllys, as well as three nights of Umphrey’s McGee. Let us know where you’re headed by leaving us a comment below…