If music is the way of life for you and you want to go and see the past, present and future of music in USA, visit these cities vibrating with music. Here is a list of the best musical destinations in America, cities where the various genres of modern music were born and thrived and is still thriving. Most of these cities host many music festivals in the summertime.
1) New York City, New York
New York has always played an important role in American music industry. It is the birth place of hip hop, Latin freestyle, disco, house music, punk rock and salsa. The city’s cosmopolitan nature has also given birth to new folk music genres like the Irish-American and the Jewish Klezmer. The city’s clubs are an important part of its music scene and clubs such as Studio 54, Max’s Kansas City, and ABC No Rio reached iconic status in the music lover’s world.
Where to go: You can go for concerts at the Carnegie Hall, one of the most important music venues in the world. You can visit Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, Madison Square Garden or the Radio City Hall, each proud of its own history. Go to the great jazz clubs like Birdland, Sweet Rhythm, Village Vanguard or The Blue Note. Many music festivals are also organized each year which will interest music lovers.
Where to eat: Listen to music while you eat. Garage Restaurant and Café offers live jazz with food in the heart of Greenwich Village. Son Cubano serves Cuban and Latin American dishes with great Cuban live music. Also check out the Sugar Bar.
When to go: Anytime of the year is good but summertime is best as many music festivals are arranged at this time.
2) Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is most famous in the music world for the Blues. However, Chicago also boasts of a distinct and unique style of Jazz. It has also evolved a new style of soul music which has an unmistakable Gospel sound just like the southern soul, but is lighter and is called soft soul. House Music has its origin in Chicago in a nightclub named The Warehouse. The city also has a thriving rock and roll music scene and the rock band Chicago was named after the city. Chicago hip hop has also a special name “chi tune”.
What to do: Go to any concert at House of Blues, Allstate Arena, and Chicago Theatre or enjoy the Chicago Blues Festival or World Music Festival. You can also go to any Blues club like B.L.U.E or Buddy Guy’s Legends orBlue Chicago. The last one is known for blues Women singers.
Where to eat: Eat at Andy’s Jazz Club with live Jazz music or at the famous Hard Rock café. The Underground Wonder Bar offers a variety of music throughout the week.
When to go: The music festivals take place from June to September. So the summer is the best time for music lovers to visit Chicago.
3) Austin, Texas
Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. Hundreds of venues stage live music every night. Almost 1900 bands and performing artists live in and around the city. The numerous bars on the Sixth Street play a wide range of music every night and the city comes alive with music.
What to do: Visit the Austin Music Memorial dedicated to the important contributors to music and music in Austin in particular. Visit the music bars or the clubs likeCactus café or Antone’s. Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is a much loved music venue in Austin.
Where to eat: There are a variety of options. Jovita’s Restaurant is a family friendly place with live music. Salt Lick Bar-B-Que is also a great place with good food and music.
When to go: The Austin City Limits Music festival starts in September. It’s better to go at that time.
4) New Orleans, Louisiana
Music lovers will love to visit the birthplace of jazz. New Orleans jazz is also called ‘Dixieland’. New Orleans has also been a prominent center of funk, home to some of the earliest funk bands such as The Meters.
What to do: The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival begins in April. Enjoy the feast of music at the festival. At other times you can visit the New Orleans clubs. The Apple Barrel Club is called the Frenchmen Street’s best kept secret and offers live jazz or blues every night of the week.
Where to eat: House of Blues offer live music with quality food.Michaul’s Restaurant offers Cajun food, Cajun music and even free Cajun dancing lessons.
When to go: April is the best time though anytime of the year is fine.
5) Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, the music city is not the birthplace of country music but it is definitely country music’s home. For more than 200 years music has shaped its history. It houses publishing companies, studios and the most influential radio station in America, WSM-AM 650.
What to do: There are many music venues in Nashville which play live music every day. Most of them are marked with a “Live music Venue” sign. Some of these places are “3rd and Lindsay”, “Country Music hall of Fame and Museum” and “Bluebird Café”. The month of April is celebrated as Awesome April in Music City and there are many musical events each weekend.
Where to eat: There are many restaurants with live music. Try B.B. King’s Blues Club & Restaurant.
When to go: Summer is the season. Most festivals are arranged in spring and summer.
6) Las Vegas, Nevada
In recent years Las Vegas has become another popular destination for music lovers. The sin city remembers its connection with theElvis, the King who lived and performed in Las Vegas. Elvis’s spirit lives there in hundreds of shows that are arranged everyday in his memory. Many music festivals are arranged every year in the Sin city. The Inde Music Fest and The Love Festival are two main festivals that take place in summer.
What to do: Enjoy music and dances at one of the festivals. Go to one of the hundred music venues likeRed Rock Resorts Backyards, Hard Rock Beach club, Joint or House of Blues and more. Listen to Matt Goss live at Caesar’s palace.
Where to Eat: The Orleans’s Showroom is a place where comedy and music builds up a good entertainment along with nice food. Regale Italian Eatery takes you to the Italian countryside where you enjoy a traditional meal with instrumental string music.
When to go: Anytime is good but summertime is the time for festivals.
7) Seattle, Washington
Seattle’s music history goes back to the Native Americans. Many musical genres from Classical to Rock, Jazz and Hip hop have played different roles in shaping the history of this city. See the music map of Seattle to know about the special history and music of each place.
What to do: There are a variety of music festivals in the summer like Ballard Jazz Festival, Bumbershoot, and World Rhythm Festival. Go to the historical Snowbox Theatre to listen to a concert. The Experience Music Project is also an interesting venue dedicated to the exploration and creativity in popular music.
Where to eat: Try Dubliner for Irish music and food.
When to go: Music is there round the year but summer is best because of the festivals.
8) LosAngeles, California
The history of music in Los Angeles goes back to 1870 when the Merced Theatre was constructed on the Main Street. From acoustic rock to jazz-fusion, heavy metal to Latin funk Los Angeles’ music scene is extremely diverse.
What to do: Take a Rock and Roll Tour from Estouric to explore Loa Angeles’ rich music history. Go to the Walt Disney concert hall, the Greek Theatre or the Gibson Amphitheatre but book previously if you plan to listen to a concert. There are free jazz concerts on Friday evenings at Los Angeles County Museum of Art from April through Thanksgiving.
Where to Eat: The Catalina Jazz Club is a good combination of music and dinner.
When to go: Anytime is good time in LA.
9) Dallas, Texas
Dallas has become one of the major US cities that have a thriving live music scene. Blues and country have long been the leaders in Texas music. Now many new Dallas bands are spicing it up with variety. Big-T and the Bada-Bings, Briefcase Blues, Buzz Andrews are few of these bands.
What to do: Go to any one of the hundreds of music clubs, like Across the Street Bar, Adair Saloon or Club Dada. Attend the Deep Ellum Arts Festival.
Where to eat: Try City Tavern at the heart of Main Street.
When to go: Anytime is music time though April is a good time if you want to attend the festivals.
10) Memphis, Tennessee:
What brings Memphis to the list of top ten US cities for music lovers is that great artists like Elvis, Al Green and Isaac Hayes have shared their music history with that of this town.
What to do: Visit Lauderdale Courts to see where Elvis grew up, eat at Elvis’ booth at The Arcade Restaurant or go to Tupelo to see the house where The King was born. Enjoy the Beale Street Music Festival.
Where to eat: Beale Street is Memphis’s center for music, dining and nightlife. Dine at B.B King’s Blues club.
When to go: Anytime of the year. But the festival starts from end of April and so summer is a good time for music lovers to visit Memphis.
Stay in tune. Bon Voyage.
