If Spotify is your favorite app, you frequent concerts during the week, and can’t say no to a music festival, then you’re in luck. We found some of the best places for music lovers to live that are rich with musical history, full of notable venues, and the host of famous festivals every year.
Austin, TX
Popular Genres: Blues, Country, Jazz, Rock, and Latin
Famous Venues: Stubbs’s BBQ, Broken Spoke
For a music scene like no other, pack your bags for the Live Music Capital of the World: Austin, Texas. With more live music venues per capita than any other city in the United States, you’re bound to find a show you’ll enjoy on any given night of the week. If music festivals are more your style, you won’t be disappointed. Each year, Austin hosts South by Southwest and Urban Music Festival in March, and Austin City Limits in October.
Nashville, TN
Popular Genres: Country, Bluegrass, Pop, Rock
Famous Venues: Ryman Auditorium, Bluebird Cafe
For all things country music, Nashville is the place to be. Home to the Grand Ole Opry and honky-tonk venues for days, you can eat and drink and line dance your way down Broadway, the epicenter of Nashville’s music scene. If you aren’t big on country tunes, don’t count Nashville out. Appropriately nicknamed Music City, Nashville has far more to offer.
Chicago, IL
Popular Genres: Blues, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Gospel, House
Famous Venues: Kingston Mines, Metro
Chicago is known for its unique blues and jazz scene that erupted as a result of the Great Migration, as well as being the birthplace of house music in the early 80s. Famous artists like Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, Kanye West, and Chance the Rapper all hail from Chicago making it a musical melting pot with something for everyone. You’ll find plenty of lively venues around the city offering everything from indie rock to modern jazz, and in the summer, you can catch an outdoor concert at Northerly Island or Millenium Park, or attend Blues Festival and Lollapalooza.
New Orleans, LA
Popular Genres: Jazz, Gospel, Funk, Rhythm & Blues
Famous Venues: Preservation Hall, Tipitina’s
With street music aplenty, venues that pay homage to its musical roots, and Bourbon Street hotspots, the birthplace of jazz is no stranger to all things soulful. While you may know New Orleans as Mardi Gras central, it also hosts the largest Jazz Fest each year which lasts 10 days and features a vast lineup of genres. Come for the music, stay for the beignets.
Los Angeles, CA
Popular Genres: Electronic, Rock, Rap, Pop, Folk
Famous Venues: Greek Theater, Troubadour
While you may think of movie stars at the mention of LA, the City of Angels is home to some of the largest record labels (think A&M Records and Capitol Records) that have produced some of the biggest artists and songs. As a city for dreamers, creators, and performers, LA isn’t known for one single genre as it continues to attract talent of all shapes and sizes. From concert halls to reggae clubs, you’ll find a diverse music scene that stems far outside of what is considered mainstream. Best of all, LA puts you just a short drive away from Coachella valley where Coachella is held each year.
Ready to make your move to a music epicenter? Search apartments for rent now in all of these cities and more!
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