5 Places to Find Good Live Music

This is a rather open-ended blog inspired by a great video I saw this morning. People often complain that one has to dig deep to find good music today. Some also argue that venues do not care about the quality of the artist, they just care about selling tickets. While these statements have validity, I would like to discuss where exactly one can go to find good live music, and how to go about doing it.

1. Music festivals: Music festivals come in all shapes and forms, from family-oriented events day-long events, to weekend/week-long events in which the participants create an entirely new culture. These events usually have at least one major group or artist headlining the main stage, with a lot of smaller, lesser-known artists on the side stages. This is great because you can go enjoy some artists that you know very well and can get exposed to new groups as well. The environment is usually happy and festive, which makes getting into new music a lot more fun! Check out the Newport Jazz Festival, or Gathering of the Vibes as a festival starter. Most festivals are in the warmer months, so now is the time to start thinking of saving money for tickets!

2. Student recitals: While this may not be the most popular option, there are many fantastic college students putting on end-of-semester performances for their major. From my experiences in music school, there was always a guaranteed student performer every night of the week. While some were better than others, the most important part was that is was free! While you may get one or two people that need some more work, most of these concerts are great, depending on the school.

3. Open Mic: Many restaurants and bars will have open mic nights in which anyone can feel free to set up their instrument and play/ sing. Usually there is a P.A. (personal amplification) system for you to sing into and there might even be some instruments open to borrow. Some musicians are still working out the kinks in their technique and performance, but it’s a great place to meet new talent. While you’re playing, some other musicians may even join in, making the experience very organic and fun. This is how many bands have formed, and this is a great place to test out a new song you’ve written.

4. Locally: This is sort of a blanket term for the three just listed. Check your town’s bars and restaurants for local listings of when they have live music. Since live music today has mostly been replaced by a DJ or an iPod, the live musician has to perform even harder and better. Chances are, you’ll see a great band because they have to work very hard to keep even the smallest time slot!

5. Street Musicians: Although we normally don’t pause that much to appreciate a busker, there are many talented ones. Especially while waiting for a subway to come, nobody is in the mood to sit and listen. Even famous musicians such as world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell have played in subways; check out the experiment here. While barely anyone noticed, and he made about $22! Tt goes to show that world class musicians could be playing right next to you! Here is the video that prompted me to write this article: Enjoy!