Live music cities?

Orchidflower · 01-10-2008, 11:02 AM

I love live music, but can only think of three cities that are known for it in America: Austin, Texas (rock, country, little of everything); Nashville, Tennessee (country mainly, I think); and Memphis, Tennessee (blues).
Are there any other well known cities that have a ton of live music venues out there than I am missing?

What's with Tennessee? Note that they have TWO cities devoted to live music? If their darn taxes overall didn't add up to so much.....(dreaming)

Notmuchlonger · 01-10-2008, 12:25 PM

What about Detroit.

or New Orleans

I thought Tennessee overall tax bite was pretty good.

haha · 01-10-2008, 12:31 PM

Pretty much any big city. LA, New Orleans, New York, Bay Area, Chicago--even Seattle has a lot. The cities you mentioned have very successfully commercialized a "brand", but very good live music is all over. Also, often their is a purely local high quality scene that is much more LBYM friendly than places that draw a lot of tourists.

If you like jazz or funk give New Orleans a shot.

Ha

Orchidflower · 01-10-2008, 01:41 PM

When I have lived in Chicago that city did get many really up and comers there, so I was able to see many before they really hit it big...and saw them for cheap, also.
Houston, however, has zip in music really. Why go to Houston when Austin is only a few hours away and a Music Capital to boot.
Just investigating cities with great live music venues is all. I'd love to be in or near one.

Trek · 01-10-2008, 01:56 PM

Any big college town usually has some fun live music venues.

Athens, Georgia comes to mind which produced bands like REM, B-52's and Indigo Girls to name a few.

Music of Athens, Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

tightasadrum · 01-10-2008, 02:19 PM

Orchidflower,

Yep. Athens is loaded. People come from everywhere to become part of the live music scene in a host of venues, from bars to several performance halls. The biggest is contemporary rock music of course, as REM, B-52's and Indigo Girls started here as Trek mentioned. But there's bluegrass, country, opera, (Going to see La Traviata next month), blues, big name singers, talent nights etc. And that doesn't include the University of Georgia performances with classical guest performers from around the world, UGA student performances and community choral groups. I've played or sung with quite a few different groups myself through the years, and I'll probably expand my participation and viewing as I begin to get a little more time in the evenings. And with roughly 100,000 population, which includes the 35000 students, the size is about right.

Orchidflower · 01-10-2008, 03:17 PM

Tennessee State income tax, for me since my main tax would be on investments, coupled with their high sales tax, made Tennessee pretty high compared to (yes..) Texas. It seems when you have interest and dividends taxed--unless someone can give me a wonderful way to get around it and still make money--I get nailed, and find I am ultimately better off in one of the 5 no State tax States. Sigh..
My friend from Augusta always told me Georgia was cheap to live in, and I know that Athens rates high on many studies--especially for retirees--to live in. Must check that one out, also.
Boy! When I am thru with my duties here...this gal is going to travel alot and see all these neat places!

haha · 01-10-2008, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

Houston, however, has zip in music really. Why go to Houston when Austin is only a few hours away and a Music Capital to boot.

Houston has great blues clubs, Zydeco clubs, and plenty of salsa. You may not comfortable in many of the places though.

Ha

mh · 01-10-2008, 03:49 PM

as metioned prev. Los angeles is very good for live music.
lots of small places with great diverse music. lot's of world music
too which many other cities sometimes lack.

Notmuchlonger · 01-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orchidflower

Tennessee State income tax, for me since my main tax would be on investments, coupled with their high sales tax, made Tennessee pretty high compared to (yes..) Texas. It seems when you have interest and dividends taxed--unless someone can give me a wonderful way to get around it and still make money--I get nailed, and find I am ultimately better off in one of the 5 no State tax States. Sigh..
My friend from Augusta always told me Georgia was cheap to live in, and I know that Athens rates high on many studies--especially for retirees--to live in. Must check that one out, also.
Boy! When I am thru with my duties here...this gal is going to travel alot and see all these neat places!

I see. We have very little taxable investments so I didnt consider that angle. Tenn and MO are on our to see lists for future retirement areas.

Orchidflower · 01-10-2008, 05:46 PM

My gosh, haha, where did you find any good music in Houston? I was there 22 years and went to various venues, but the quality of the music was sub-par. I have no idea what you are talking about, but maybe you know some secrets I don't? I never found anything to brag about in 22 years that I could go to on any regular basis and listen to good music in Houston. I guess what I am tactfully trying to say is, "WTF are you talking about?"

And now that I am too old to do anything about it, I find that I would have been much better off in retirement if I didn't have investments but had a pension instead. Too late now...

Maurice · 01-10-2008, 07:29 PM

Lincoln Center?

Carnegie Hall?

heck, CBGBs? (back in the day)

We've got some of that live music here in NYC!

HFWR · 01-10-2008, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Lincoln Center?

Carnegie Hall?

heck, CBGBs? (back in the day)

We've got some of that live music here in NYC!

Fillmore East, also back in the day...

martyb · 01-10-2008, 08:15 PM

Gonna be hard to beat Austin. I lived there 15 years.

Orchidflower · 01-11-2008, 08:39 AM

Well, that's encouraging, martyb. I KNOW Austin has alot of top acts that haven't quite made it to the bigtime, so you can see them cheaper. But I may be the only silver haired old lady rocking out with the U. of Texas students there...but, what the heck!
I have always heard L.A. had the BEST music ever. I think the musicians who want to really hit the bigtime head there when they feel ready. Lucky people in L.A., eh?
And, yes, I concede on Houston having bad music on one issue: Tejano and Salsa are tops there.

jgelb · 01-12-2008, 07:04 PM

Ever consider Denver? I hear from the younger set that things are really taking off. I'm not sure that bands are totally blowing the roof off, but there are a lot of places in town where bands play good ambient stuff. My wife and I like Irish trad, there are a couple great spots for that.

**Sarah in SC** · 01-12-2008, 09:10 PM

Denver looked good the couple of times I went out there. Lots of venues
I DREAM of going to Austin. Memphis and Nashville are truly awesome!
There are some good venues in Charlotte NC and Asheville NC--really supportive communities for good live music.

I can say with authority that there is nowhere in South Carolina to regularly hear good live music.

RetireeRobert · 01-12-2008, 10:07 PM

Try Portland oregon of all places.

Home of:
Custis Salgado-------------------blues
Paul deLay (now deceased)-------blues
Pink Martini----------------------eclectic vocal/piano/combo group
Michael Allan Harrison------------new age pop

RetireeRobert · 01-12-2008, 10:18 PM

PS To find out more about Pink Martini, check them out at:

p i n k m a r t i n i**|**the scoop on pink martini

ladelfina · 01-13-2008, 02:33 AM

Boston was excellent.. again, college town.

01-10-2008, 11:02 AM	#1
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,027	Live music cities? I love live music, but can only think of three cities that are known for it in America: Austin, Texas (rock, country, little of everything); Nashville, Tennessee (country mainly, I think); and Memphis, Tennessee (blues). Are there any other well known cities that have a ton of live music venues out there than I am missing? What's with Tennessee? Note that they have TWO cities devoted to live music? If their darn taxes overall didn't add up to so much.....(dreaming)

01-10-2008, 12:31 PM	#3
haha Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ... Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Seattle Posts: 8,805	Pretty much any big city. LA, New Orleans, New York, Bay Area, Chicago--even Seattle has a lot. The cities you mentioned have very successfully commercialized a "brand", but very good live music is all over. Also, often their is a purely local high quality scene that is much more LBYM friendly than places that draw a lot of tourists. If you like jazz or funk give New Orleans a shot. Ha __________________ "Show 'em just enough to win the turkey."- Former KY Governor Bert Combs

01-10-2008, 01:56 PM	#5
Trek Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Baden-Württemberg, Germany Posts: 541	Any big college town usually has some fun live music venues. Athens, Georgia comes to mind which produced bands like REM, B-52's and Indigo Girls to name a few. Music of Athens, Georgia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________

01-10-2008, 02:19 PM	#6
tightasadrum Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: athens Posts: 512	Orchidflower, Yep. Athens is loaded. People come from everywhere to become part of the live music scene in a host of venues, from bars to several performance halls. The biggest is contemporary rock music of course, as REM, B-52's and Indigo Girls started here as Trek mentioned. But there's bluegrass, country, opera, (Going to see La Traviata next month), blues, big name singers, talent nights etc. And that doesn't include the University of Georgia performances with classical guest performers from around the world, UGA student performances and community choral groups. I've played or sung with quite a few different groups myself through the years, and I'll probably expand my participation and viewing as I begin to get a little more time in the evenings. And with roughly 100,000 population, which includes the 35000 students, the size is about right. __________________ Can't you see yourself in the nursing home saying, " Darn! Wish I'd spent more time at the office instead of wasting time with family and friends."

01-10-2008, 07:29 PM	#12
Maurice Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New York Posts: 403	Lincoln Center? Carnegie Hall? heck, CBGBs? (back in the day) We've got some of that live music here in NYC! __________________ Money's just something you need in case you don't die tomorrow.

01-10-2008, 12:25 PM	#2
Notmuchlonger Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 3,192	What about Detroit. or New Orleans I thought Tennessee overall tax bite was pretty good.

01-10-2008, 01:41 PM	#4
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,027	When I have lived in Chicago that city did get many really up and comers there, so I was able to see many before they really hit it big...and saw them for cheap, also. Houston, however, has zip in music really. Why go to Houston when Austin is only a few hours away and a Music Capital to boot. Just investigating cities with great live music venues is all. I'd love to be in or near one.

01-10-2008, 03:17 PM	#7
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,027	Tennessee State income tax, for me since my main tax would be on investments, coupled with their high sales tax, made Tennessee pretty high compared to (yes..) Texas. It seems when you have interest and dividends taxed--unless someone can give me a wonderful way to get around it and still make money--I get nailed, and find I am ultimately better off in one of the 5 no State tax States. Sigh.. My friend from Augusta always told me Georgia was cheap to live in, and I know that Athens rates high on many studies--especially for retirees--to live in. Must check that one out, also. Boy! When I am thru with my duties here...this gal is going to travel alot and see all these neat places!

01-10-2008, 03:49 PM	#9
mh Recycles dryer sheets Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 179	as metioned prev. Los angeles is very good for live music. lots of small places with great diverse music. lot's of world music too which many other cities sometimes lack.

01-10-2008, 05:46 PM	#11
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,027	My gosh, haha, where did you find any good music in Houston? I was there 22 years and went to various venues, but the quality of the music was sub-par. I have no idea what you are talking about, but maybe you know some secrets I don't? I never found anything to brag about in 22 years that I could go to on any regular basis and listen to good music in Houston. I guess what I am tactfully trying to say is, "WTF are you talking about?" And now that I am too old to do anything about it, I find that I would have been much better off in retirement if I didn't have investments but had a pension instead. Too late now...

01-10-2008, 08:15 PM	#14
martyb Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Janesville, WI Posts: 509	Gonna be hard to beat Austin. I lived there 15 years.

01-11-2008, 08:39 AM	#15
Orchidflower Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Il-Ia. border Posts: 1,027	Well, that's encouraging, martyb. I KNOW Austin has alot of top acts that haven't quite made it to the bigtime, so you can see them cheaper. But I may be the only silver haired old lady rocking out with the U. of Texas students there...but, what the heck! I have always heard L.A. had the BEST music ever. I think the musicians who want to really hit the bigtime head there when they feel ready. Lucky people in L.A., eh? And, yes, I concede on Houston having bad music on one issue: Tejano and Salsa are tops there.

01-12-2008, 07:04 PM	#16
jgelb Confused about dryer sheets Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 6	Ever consider Denver? I hear from the younger set that things are really taking off. I'm not sure that bands are totally blowing the roof off, but there are a lot of places in town where bands play good ambient stuff. My wife and I like Irish trad, there are a couple great spots for that.

01-12-2008, 09:10 PM	#17
Sarah in SC Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,920	Denver looked good the couple of times I went out there. Lots of venues I DREAM of going to Austin. Memphis and Nashville are truly awesome! There are some good venues in Charlotte NC and Asheville NC--really supportive communities for good live music. I can say with authority that there is nowhere in South Carolina to regularly hear good live music. __________________ "Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference." - Mark Twain DINKS, 38 and 46, plan for his ER at 50, mine few yrs later. Boy it sucks getting older and having to edit your sig line to reflect that!

01-12-2008, 10:07 PM	#18
RetireeRobert Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 831	Try Portland oregon of all places. Home of: Custis Salgado-------------------blues Paul deLay (now deceased)-------blues Pink Martini----------------------eclectic vocal/piano/combo group Michael Allan Harrison------------new age pop __________________ Dreams Worth Dreaming are Dreams Worth Planning For. I Spent a Career Planning for Early Retirement.

01-12-2008, 10:18 PM	#19
RetireeRobert Full time employment: Posting here. Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 831	PS To find out more about Pink Martini, check them out at: p i n k m a r t i n i\|the scoop on pink martini __________________ Dreams Worth Dreaming are Dreams Worth Planning For. I Spent a Career Planning for Early Retirement.

01-13-2008, 02:33 AM	#20
ladelfina Thinks s/he gets paid by the post Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 2,695	Boston was excellent.. again, college town.

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