There’s something special about visiting a new town and stumbling across a coffee-shop flyer advertising a late-night jazz show, or wandering through downtown hearing the sounds of guitars and singers.
Live music is one of my favorite ways to connect with a place—hearing new voices, watching locals dance, and ducking into small venues you might otherwise miss. It all offers a new perspective on a town, one you can’t always get from museums or tourist attractions.
And while it can be great to head to major cities for the chance to see big acts in stadiums, or visit cities that have become synonymous with music like Nashville or Austin, there are plenty of other smaller towns, both in and outside the U.S., that deserve the spotlight, too.
Here are the places and venues I visit when live music is the main attraction.
In this article
Aspen, Colorado
The ski town in western Colorado is known for a lot of things: designer stores, Michelin-starred fine dining, and epic ski runs.
But it’s also a gem for live music. In the heart of downtown Aspen is Belly Up, a 450-capacity music venue established in 2005. While small, Belly Up has welcomed big names like Jimmy Buffett, The Killers, Snoop Dogg, B.B. King, and Odesza, along with a consistent lineup of smaller, up-and-coming artists.
And when summer arrives, it feels like music is everywhere in Aspen. There are bluegrass Sundays at the top of Aspen Mountain, and on Saturdays, students from the Aspen Music Festival and School play classical music at the same stage. While there’s a lot to love about a summer in Aspen, wandering into a bar and watching locals perform is one of my favorite parts of experiencing this mountain town.
Gainesville, Florida
I’ve attended shows and festivals around the country but I think Gainesville has one of the best music scenes in the U.S. And that’s not just because I attended the University of Florida.
The college town has a mix of indie rock, punk, jam bands, and folk music, and it’s historically known as Tom Petty’s hometown.
While I was in college, bands like Flipturn were just getting their start by playing in Gainesville. Venues are concentrated around Downtown and South Main Street, including Heartwood Soundstage, The Atlantic, Baby J’s Bar, and The Backyard.
A standout event is Heartwood’s Wednesday Free Porch Sessions, a recurring evening of acoustic music that feels especially Gainesville. Who knows who you might discover here next.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is a town known for art, but its music scene is just as rich as its gallery and museum spaces.
Throughout Santa Fe, you’ll hear everything from folk and Americana to jazz, mariachi, and experimental music in music venues sprinkled across town. Highlights include the Lensic Performing Arts Center, the immersive art installation Meow Wolf, and the Santa Fe Brewing Company.
Every Wednesday and Sunday, La Reina at El Rey Court, a mezcal bar, hosts free live shows, and throughout the year you can find flamenco performances through events hosted by EmiArteFlamenco.
One of my favorite music festivals, Blossoms and Bones, happens each fall about an hour outside of Santa Fe. Located at the 21,000-acre Ghost Ranch where Georgia O’Keeffe found inspiration for some of her work, the intimate weekend is filled with live music from artists ranging from local DJs to more popular names. Headliners include Sylvan Esso and Violent Femmes.
Halifax, Canada
If you’re searching for a North American destination with local artists and an inspiring music scene, Halifax is worth a trip.
Its music history goes pretty far back. In the 1990s, its indie and alternative rock scene became known as the Halifax Pop Explosion, with bands like Sloan, Eric’s Trip, and The Super Friendz helping to create a distinctly Halifax sound. Artists such as Sarah McLachlan also got their start in the city.
Downtown and the North End are home to some great venues. The Carleton is an intimate space where singer-songwriters regularly play, while the Seahorse Tavern on Gottingen Street is clubbier, with everything from indie rock to punk and metal.
For a first-time visitor, the annual Halifax Urban Folk Festival is an especially easy way to hear several local artists in one trip.
Asheville, North Carolina
Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville has long been known for an expansive and welcoming music scene. While it’s unsurprisingly known for incredible Appalachian roots, bluegrass, folk, and jam-band culture, there’s also a thriving indie and rock scene, as well.
Both the River Arts District and downtown area have plenty of venues where visitors can catch a show. The Grey Eagle is a roughly 500-person room with a calendar that ranges from bluegrass to soul to experimental music. In downtown, the Orange Peel is the bigger anchor, bringing nationally touring acts into a room that still feels intimate compared to major-city venues.
As for weekly events, Jack of the Wood hosts a Thursday Bluegrass Jam and the French Broad River Brewery has Wednesday Jamgrass Night.
Reykjavik, Iceland
For a city of its size, Reykjavik has plenty of live music. The dominant sound is hard to pin down and ranges from indie rock and electronic to folk and jazz with experimental thrown in.
Most venues are packed into the walkable downtown area around the Laugavegur and the harbor. Harpa is the city’s major concert hall, but its smaller Björtuloft room hosts Múlinn Jazz Club, which has regular jazz shows.
For a glimpse into the local scene, the Gaukurinn is a small downtown club that leans toward underground rock and alternative music. I’d also time a visit around Iceland Airwaves, when Reykjavík’s bars, clubs, and concert halls become stages for emerging Icelandic and international acts.
The Shortcut
Gainesville’s music scene stretches from Tom Petty to emerging bands with a mix of indie rock, punk, jam bands, and folk, and artists like Flipturn had early starts in the town.
In Reykjavik, you can catch intimate jazz without leaving the city center. Múlinn Jazz Club hosts regular shows in Harpa’s 110-seat Björtuloft room.
For Appalachian music in Asheville, plan a visit around one of the town’s numerous weekly jams. Jack of the Wood hosts a Thursday bluegrass jam while the French Broad River Brewery has a Wednesday option.
