First, let’s get this out of the way. We’re shining the light on zipcodes that don’t involve New York City or Los Angeles, because, let’s face it, everyone in the music biz ends up on those two coasts anyway. But if you’re talking about the best burgeoning music communities, where band begets band and musicians incestuously play in each other’s sets at any given night, you might say these eight cities have the most impressive music scene — maybe because of the low cost of living, or proximity to large venues or record labels, its musical history or just inherent coolness.
New Orleans, LA
From alt rockers Mutemath to jam band Galactic to the Trombone Shorty, the music born in New Orleans is nothing if not eclectic.
Because Dixieland jazz was born here, because the blues are intertwined with the city’s soul, because there are musicians playing everywhere you go from the French Quarter to Frenchman Street, it’s hard not to derive inspiration when all you want to do is live and breathe music.
Orange County, CA
Everyone knows No Doubt, Social Distortion and The Offspring are from Orange County, but lately, it’s Fullerton’s Burger Records — an indie label that keeps its offices in a strip mall — that’s keeping the scene alive. Young bands from the Death Valley Girls, Ty Segall and Guantanamo Baywatch have all benefited from the prevailing DIY aesthetic in OC — not quite as polished as its neighbors in LA for sure, and still rebellious enough to just earnestly want to sweat it all out through rock & roll.
The Observatory has become a venerable institution for bands new and old, but big venues that draw crowds: The Honda Center houses legends such as Thrice and newbies like Twenty One Pilots. And everywhere in between? All-ages venues like the Doll Hut in Anaheim let adolescent punks roam free.
Nashville, TN
Nashville is the biggest American music industry hub outside of NYC and LA, but it’s always been associated with country. Still, pop stars such as Taylor Swift, JEFF the Brotherhood and Coin have transcended the genre, so despite the fact that hundreds still line up to get into the iconic Bluebird Café still, it’s now truly the home of all flavors of rock & roll.
It’s the kind of place where everyone is a musician, everyone is your friend, and all your friends are in bands and also play in your bands. Yum.
Milwaukee and Madison, WI
We couldn’t choose between these two rust-belt cities, both of which are home to cheeseheads, and yet have totally different flavors.
Both places are subject to long winters which make for fruitful music-making sessions, but Milwaukee with its cheap rent and low cost of living has made it home to hipsters that coastal millennials pattern themselves after. It also has the most beautiful live venues — for acoustics and for visual pleasure, such as the turn of the century buildings Pabst Theater and Turner Hall. It's also home to the largest music festival in the world: Summerfest. And has there ever been a rapper as original as Juiceboxxx, for example?
Madison, the university town, has the Butch Vig connection, plus lots and lots and lots of partying kids going to shows on the regular, whether at the Orpheum or at free shows at the WUD.
Washington, DC
Fighting the power has never been more attractive than when you’re at the actual seat of power. Hence, DC’s primary influence on American music has been through hardcore punk, made famous by bands like Bad Brains’ Henry Rollins, Minor Threat and The Faith, and labels like Dischord Records.
Our capital also has super fun festivals like the free Folklife Festival.
Chapell Hill, NC
Chapel Hill, Durham and Raleigh is known as the Research Capital because the three cities are home to famous universities, but it’s not only brainiacs that get inspired there.
Home of folk superstars The Avett Brothers, the Bowerbirds, piano popstars Ben Folds Five and the place where Justin Vernon’s old band DeYarmond Edison fell apart (so that he was able to create Bon Iver), the Research Capital is a place where talent and live shows come together in beautiful harmony.
Provo, UT
Since when did Provo cease to be a flyover city? Since the city's thriving music scene gave birth to acts such as Imagine Dragons, Neon Trees, Fictionist and more.
Between all these groups, there’ve been numerous Top 40 hits, international tours and YouTube hits. But it’s also a concerted effort from its city government that led to a revitalized culture — the downtown Provo area was expanded and updated, and to bring more people downtown, the Provo Rooftop Concert Series was created. It brings thousands of people to the city, and is one of the funnest things you can do in Utah.
Twin Cities, MI
Aside from the legend Prince — who, as everyone knows, brought all kinds of musicians to Minnesota — the city also has an off-the-hook rap scene.
Most of it is due to Rhymesayers Entertainment, Minnesota's largest hip-hop record label that produced MF Doom, Aesop Rock, Grieves, as well as locals Eyedea & Abilities and Atmosphere. Its annual Soundset Music Festival is just one of the many music festivals that take place over the summer.
See what else made it into our Top 8 by visiting its official page.
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