The 15 Best Cities for Music Lovers in the U.S
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For music fans, nothing beats the experience of seeing your favorite artist perform live in an iconic venue or discovering new talent in an intimate club. But which cities offer the best overall music scenes and opportunities? A recent data analysis looked at factors like the number of music venues per capita, average concert ticket prices, number of music festivals, and more to determine the top U.S. metros for music. The results, compiled by Clever, reveal some surprising findings.
The data shows that musical artists constantly tour and make connections with fans in cities nationwide. They also often have deep ties and emotional connections to their hometowns, frequently referencing specific places in their lyrics. As Casino.org found when analyzing the cities most mentioned in song lyrics, rappers often shout out New York and California, while country crooners pay homage to Texas and Tennessee.
But when it comes to the overall best cities for music, which metros hit the right notes? Here are the top 15 based on the data.
1. Nashville, TN – The Music Capital of the U.S.
It’s no surprise that Music City tops the list. Nashville boasts 5 times more professional musicians per capita than the average U.S. metro. With iconic venues like the Grand Ole Opry and a whopping 6.7 intimate concert spaces per 100,000 residents, Nashville dominates for both artists and fans.
2. Indianapolis, IN – Music for Your Money
Fans in Indy enjoy some of the most affordable concert tickets in the nation, paying just 1.9% of the average annual income for monthly shows. The city also ranks in the top 5 for alternative music and blues, making it a hidden gem.
3. Portland, OR – Festival Central
Music lovers in Portland can take their pick from 9 different music festivals planned for 2022, 67% more than the average metro. Combined with its history as an indie rock mecca, Portland is paradise for concert-goers.
4. Austin, TX – The Live Music Capital
Living up to its reputation, Austin ranks as THE best city for live music. ATX offers 5 concert venues per 100K residents plus 9 major music festivals, nearly double the U.S. metro average. With cheaper than average tickets to boot, it’s a music fan’s dream.
5. Raleigh, NC – Intimate Venue Heaven
For those who prefer cozy clubs to arenas, Raleigh delivers with over twice as many small venues per capita as the average city. Cheap ticket prices are the cherry on top.
6. Salt Lake City, UT – A City for Every Genre
Defying stereotypes, SLC residents have eclectic music tastes, ranking #1 in Google searches across all genres analyzed, from punk to show tunes. Artists also benefit, with musician wages 50% higher than average.
7. St. Louis, MO – Blues Capital of the World
The Gateway to the West remains a vital hub for blues music, thanks to its history and current crop of hometown artists. STL musicians also command higher hourly rates than in most other metros.
8. San Francisco, CA – Easy on the Wallet
Seeing shows in notoriously expensive SF is surprisingly affordable – tickets cost just 1.4% of the average annual income per show versus 2.5% nationally. That’s a good thing since artist wages are also among the highest.
9. Seattle, WA – Still Grunge City
While the grunge heyday may have passed, Seattle’s love for punk, electronic and folk music endures. No wonder it boasts 89% more musicians per capita than average.
10. Buffalo, NY – Alternatives Abound
Indie music fans should consider a trip to Buffalo, which ranks #1 for interest in alternative music. With cheaper than average tickets and intimate venues aplenty, it’s an undiscovered gem.
11. Boston, MA – Wicked Into Electronic
Beantown is the shocking epicenter of electronic music fandom, ranking #1 in genre interest. Luckily, concerts are a relative bargain compared to other costs of living in Boston.
12. Charlotte, NC – The Place for Musicians to Earn
Talented artists take note: Charlotte ranks 3rd for highest median musician wages, handily beating salaries for other jobs locally. Music fans also enjoy cheaper ticket prices to see all that talent.
13. Columbus, OH – Pop Music Paradise
Columbus is the capital of pop music, according to search trends, but rock and jazz are also popular. With more festivals and professional musicians than average, there’s no shortage of entertainment options.
14. Hartford, CT – Small City, Big Music Scene
Hartford may be compact, but it packs double the U.S. average number of musicians per 100K residents into its borders. It’s also second overall for highest paying metro for full-time musicians.
15. Cincinnati, OH – Songwriters’ Paradise
Cincy may not be an obvious music hotspot, but it should be on songwriters’ short lists. Queen City ranks second for musician pay, with artists out-earning other professions locally by 60%.
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