Seven Great U.S. Cities for Live Music

If you love traveling and live music, then why not combine these passions with a trip to a city with a great music scene? Plus, going to a concert can be a good way to meet local people and get a glimpse into a city's soul. The following seven cities offer superb live music experiences.

Nashville

If you're looking for a city that's renowned for live music, Nashville is an obvious choice, as its nickname is "Music City." A highlight of any visit to Nashville is catching a show at the Ryman Auditorium or the Grand Ole Opry, which are two iconic country music performance halls. If you're a novice to country music and want to learn more, visit Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame.

However, Nashville isn't just about country music. You can also catch a performance of classical music with the Nashville Symphony, and other local music venues host rock, Americana and hip-hop bands.

Memphis

Memphis claims to be not just the "birthplace of rock 'n' roll," but also the "home of the blues." Beale Street's legendary clubs and live music venues, where many famous musicians got their start, draw visitors from all over the world.

You can delve deeper into the city's rich musical heritage at the Memphis Rock 'N Soul Museum and the Blues Hall of Fame. Or, pay your respects to Elvis Presley, the "king" of rock 'n' roll, at Graceland, his former mansion.

But, as much as Memphis has played a formative roll in music history, it also has a fresh and contemporary live music scene, with up-and-coming local bands performing music in diverse genres such as indie rock, heavy metal, and hip-hop.

New Orleans

Jazz is popular all over the world, but there's nothing quite like seeing a live jazz performance in New Orleans. Whether you visit for the annual Jazz Fest, view top-notch acts in Preservation Hall, or go to a smaller venue geared toward locals, you'll find that the music and the city's unique ambiance combine to create an unforgettable experience.

New Orleans is also a prime location to check out a zydeco performance. This lively style of music will put a smile on your face and get you out of your seat and onto the dance floor. Catch zydeco bands in the French Quarter or at Mid-City Lanes Rock 'n' Bowl, a bowling alley that's also a music hall.

New York City

It's probably no surprise that the biggest city in the United States would offer a staggering variety of live music options. New York is home to world-famous venues such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Metropolitan Opera.

Less pricey, but no less influential when it comes to music, the city's nightclubs and bars host a wide range of live music performances in genres from punk and hip-hop to salsa and jazz. The rich diversity of the city keeps the musical mix of fresh and innovative, with performances by new, cutting-edge bands as well as concerts with world-famous standard bearers. In "the city that never sleeps," your only challenge might be to find enough time to take in all that music.

Austin

For a city that officially designates itself the "Live Music Capital of the World," Austin more than lives up to its name. With more than 250 places to see live music, and a full calendar of music festivals, such as SXSW and Austin City Limits, Texas' capital city has become a mecca for fans of diverse styles of music such as progressive country, blues, jazz, punk, indie rock, Latin and bluegrass. While its famous music festivals draw big-name acts, Austin's encouraging environment for emerging talent makes for a vibrant local music scene. If that isn't enough, even classical music fans will find something in Austin, as the city is home to an opera company and two orchestras.

Chicago

Not only is Chicago the largest city in the American Midwest, but it's also a regional hub for music. Chicago's main claim to fame, music-wise, is that it's the birthplace of "Chicago blues." You can hear this distinctive style of blues in many clubs around the city. Or, time your trip for June to take in the annual Chicago Blues Festival. Chicago is also where house music, a style of electronic music, was born, and the city continues to nurture a thriving contemporary music scene, with indie and punk bands making appearances at clubs such as the Hideout.

As a major city, Chicago also hosts world-famous rock bands in large stadium concerts. If you're visiting Chicago in August, check out the renowned Lollapalooza music festival.

Las Vegas

Elvis memorialized this city with his hit song, "Viva Las Vegas," and although the King has long since left the stage, his spirit lives on here in a variety of tribute shows. Beyond the Elvis impersonators, Las Vegas offers a wide assortment of live music. Options range from the glitzy, star-studded shows on the Strip to the smaller and more locally oriented music venues away from the casinos, such as the Sand Dollar Lounge, one of the oldest blues clubs in Las Vegas. Whether you're looking for a flashy spectacle with top-billed stars or a quiet lounge featuring local talent, you'll be able to find the live music performance that fits the bill in Las Vegas.

Music is a key to the history and culture of these seven cities. By taking in a live music performance in these places, you'll gain insight into what makes these cities special, and you'll also have a great time.