Whether it’s rock, country, bluegrass, or alternative, there are cities all over the country that take center stage when it comes to music. So, for those musicians looking for an active music scene, the following five cities will surely fit the bill. Not only do these destinations take music to heart, they’ve also been known to launch a few music careers as well. (Note: Just to be fair, we didn’t include New York)
Image via Flickr by ChrisHConnelly
1. Nashville, Tennessee
Image via Flickr by Ed Schipul
Home of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville has a country music scene that is unlike any other. Singers and songwriters with aspirations of making it big should look no further than this country music mecca.
Whether strolling along Nashville’s Lower Broadway or stopping in at any number of the city’s restaurants or bars, live music is everywhere. And, considering Nashville is also home to some of the biggest names in country, you never know who’s listening.
2. Los Angeles, California
At the other end of the music spectrum is LA with it’s new wave, alternative, and anything else under the California sun music scene. Although not as welcoming as some of the other cities, LA outranks the others by sheer size which translates to more venue possibilities.
If you’re a struggling musician, LA is a bit expensive to live, but if you can musically make it in the City of Angels, you can make it anywhere. Not only that, LA is home to some of the most iconic live music spots in the world like the Troubadour and The Orpheum.
3. Austin, Texas
Widely considered the “everything” music city, Austin’s eclectic music scene is as extensive as its venues. And, when the SXSW Music Festival comes to the hot Texas town once a year, the city comes alive with the sounds of live music.
And, for those lucky musicians who choose to call Austin home, the cost of living makes a career in music that much more viable. With new homes in Austin coming in lower than the national average, this music metropolis is perfect for musicians just getting their start.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
When mentioning cities with great music scenes, jazz cannot be ignored. So it’s no surprise that New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, is high in the rankings. Jazz-inclined musicians as well as bluegrass, reggae, and various other bands all call New Orleans home.
There are countless venues along famous Bourbon Street that always seem to have live music around the clock. But, the lesser-known Riverbend and Frenchman Street areas are full of low-key, jazz heavy venues as well.
5. Chicago, Illinois
For musicians known to play the blues, Chicago is the perfect destination. The Chicago blues scene has been around ever since gangsters roamed the city’s streets in the early 1920’s.
But, blues music is just the start in the Windy City. Chicago is also known for its indie-rock and house music, which serves as a contrast to the blues while also offering variety to the cities many venues.
Whether it’s musicians looking for a start or bands that have already made a name for themselves, the cities above make live music a top priority.