Music City. Nashville has earned this nickname for a reason. It would be difficult to visit Nashville without hearing some live music. Living in Nashville for two years offered me the opportunity to explore a number of the live music venues and to see some fantastic concerts. Some of these are well-known establishments in the music world, while others are less talked about. Here are 10 spots to go for great music in Music City: 1. Grand Ole OpryThe famous, "must do", granddaddy of all the music shows in Nashville. The Grand Ole Opry is the world's longest running radio show, which started in a radio studio, moved to the Ryman Auditorium, and now continues at the Grand Ole Opry House. One of my favorite facts about the Grand Ole Opry is that, after it outgrew the radio station, it had trouble finding a place in Nashville because the crowd was too big and rowdy. These days, who would ever think of Opry-goers as "rowdy"? Though it is more of a tourist attraction, I did attend an Opry show while living in Nashville, when my friend, Heidi, came to visit me. We got tickets to Opry at The Ryman, an occasional event in which the Grand Ole Opry returns to its former home for a night. Yes, the Opry is a country music show. But, even for those who are not avid country fans, it is so much fun to attend for a couple of reasons. First, it is historic. The Opry has been around for so long and has hosted many famous performers, including Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Elvis Presley (only once!), Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and more. It's pretty cool to be able to attend the same show that my grandparents loved to frequent on their honeymoon and yearly vacations to Nashville, knowing that the location may have changed over time but the show remains essentially the same. Second, it continues to be a live radio broadcast, with an announcer and commercials. When we went, there was a mix of old Opry stars and newer performers, each with the opportunity to perform a few songs for the audience. The Grand Ole Opry might be the most well-known music venue in Nashville, but there's a reason for it. Check it out if you can get tickets. 2. Ryman AuditoriumNo longer the home of the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium hosts a variety of concerts and performances that come through Nashville, like The Civil Wars concert pictured above that I attended in January 2012. The Ryman Auditorium is known for having some of the best acoustics of any concert venue in the country, often said to be second only to the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake. The combination of this historic venue with amazing acoustics can make for a pretty special performance. The Civil Wars concert that I attended here was, hands down, the best concert I have ever had the pleasure to witness. Their voices sounded amazing with just a single instrument supporting them, whether that was the piano or guitar, and their performance of "Barton Hollow" was so impressive that it received a massive standing ovation in the middle of the show. They also performed a completely acoustic song, meaning that they stepped in front of the microphones, in order to take advantage of the amazing acoustics in the Ryman Auditorium. The whole hall was completely silent. Additionally, one of my favorite things about going to concerts in Nashville is that surprise guests often come out of nowhere because, well, it's Nashville and they all live there. When The Civil Wars talked about working on a song with Taylor Swift for the Hunger Games movie, out walked Taylor Swift to perform it with them onstage, as seen in the picture above. The same thing happened to me at a Carrie Underwood concert in Nashville (Surprise! Here's Brad Paisley to sing a duet!). Finally, it was so fun to see the artists' awe at performing in this historic venue. You could tell that it meant a lot to them to sing in this space where so many musicians have stood throughout history. If you are visiting Nashville, check out the Ryman schedule, just in case you can catch a special performance of one of your favorite artists. 3. Bluebird CafeThe Bluebird Cafe is famous for its small, intimate setting and its "In the Round" performances, featuring singers/songwriters. You may have seen this venue featured on the TV show Nashville. Some of the songwriters that perform at The Bluebird are established in the music business, while others are trying to get started. The Bluebird Cafe has hosted some very famous people throughout the years, such as Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, as they got their start in Nashville. You won't recognize the names of some of the composers, but you will definitely recognize some of their songs. The composers often tell the story behind the famous songs they have written. The cafe is a tiny storefront in the Green Hills area of Nashville. The performers generally sit in a circle in the middle of the cafe, with the audience at tables surrounding them. It is a small venue where you feel like you are right in the middle of the show. The Bluebird Cafe is definitely worth checking out on a trip to Nashville, but be warned: tickets go incredibly quickly. Actually, that's an understatement. Weekend show tickets go on sale online Monday mornings the week of the show and sell out within minutes. You have to be online, ready to go, so that you can beat the thousands of other people sitting at their computers for a few of the 90 seats. 4. Station InnStation Inn is another small venue in Nashville, known for it's bluegrass performances. The tiny building contains old church pews and tables for audience members to sit at while taking in some bluegrass music. It's known as one of the best Bluegrass venues around. I took my parents here when they visited Nashville, and we saw a band called The Steeldrivers. My parents enjoyed the concert and the venue so much that they returned to Station Inn two nights later for the Bluegrass Jam on Sunday night, which is a free weekly event. Some shows do have a cover, but it is usually no more than $20. They don't take reservations for most events, so you don't have to plan weeks in advance. Just make sure you arrive with time to spare before the show starts because the space can fill up! Station Inn is a casual venue for a fun concert and a taste of Nashville's music scene. 5. Full Moon Pickin' PartyThe Full Moon Pickin' Party at Warner Parks is my absolute favorite event I have ever attended in Nashville. The Pickin' Parties happen during the summer, once a month on the Friday closest to the full moon. It is a night of music under the stars. There are a few bands scheduled to play on the small stage, around which people set up blankets and picnic baskets. But, the best part of the event is the picking circles that form around the grounds. Basically, musicians who bring their instruments come together and jam. Some musicians wander in and out of picking circles, while others stay with a group for the whole time. It's a very free-flowing, organic collaboration, and the circles are a lot of fun to watch. Each time I went to the Pickin' Party, I grabbed a beverage and meandered from picking circle to picking circle, listening as musicians had fun experimenting together. The location at Warner Parks is about a 15 minute drive from downtown Nashville, but, if you are lucky enough to be in Nashville on a Full Moon Pickin' Party night, go check it out!! The entrance fee is $20 (cheaper if you are a musician who brings an instrument), which gets you admission and a wristband for 4 sodas or beers. 6. Honky-Tonks on BroadwayIs going to the bars on Broadway touristy? Yeah. Should you do it anyway if you're visiting Nashville? Absolutely. Going "honky-tonkin" on Broadway in downtown Nashville is a great way to explore the energy of the city. There are a number of well-known establishments, such as Tootsies, Robert's Western World, and The Stage. Almost any bar that you walk into will have a live band playing...and the bands are good. Musicians don't get a Friday or Saturday late-night spot at one of these bars unless they are talented. This is not a place to mingle with locals - you will meet a lot of tourists and bachelorette parties - but it is a fantastic place to dance, hear some good music, and sample a variety of places. Head out without a plan and wander into any bar that strikes your fancy! 7. Live on the GreenLive on the Green is a weekly event held outdoors at Public Square Park in late summer. It is a free concert series presented by Lightning 100, Nashville's independent radio station, so don't expect to find country music at these shows. I was constantly amazed at the free concerts in this city. In other cities, free outdoor concerts tend to feature bands that few people know. Not in Music City. In Nashville, you get free concerts by Alabama Shakes, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Nathanson, The Wallflowers, Cage the Elephant, and more. These concerts are held on Thursday nights and offer a great free show. Plus, Public Square Park is in downtown Nashville, so it is easy to continue your night on Broadway after Live on the Green. 8. Musician's CornerMusician's Corner is another free music event held outdoors in the summer. These concerts are on Saturdays during the day and present a great opportunity to spread out a blanket, enjoy the weather, and listen to some music. Food is available at food trucks in the park. Occasionally, this event features recognizable names, but often showcases up-and-coming talent. Musician's Corner can be a great daytime event for the music lover who visits Nashville in summer. It's easy to relax in the park at Musician's Corner before heading out to a nighttime concert or event. 9. Music City RootsMusic City Roots, Live from The Factory is a live radio broadcast, similar in style to the Grand Ole Opry. At $10-$15 per ticket, it is also a cheaper alternative to The Opry. Roots and Americana artists are featured in short segments, interspersed with interviews and introductions from the hosts. This show is broadcast on Wednesday nights. Personally, I am sad that it has moved from The Loveless Barn, which is next to The Loveless Cafe, a Nashville tradition famous for its southern comfort food. This sadness likely stems from an emotional connection to the Loveless: my husband and I got married in the Loveless Barn! Music City Roots now broadcasts from The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. While farther from the city, this new location does offer an opportunity to explore the charming town of Franklin before heading to the show. An awesome new opportunity called Ride To Roots offers a shuttle that departs from two different locations in Nashville and brings you back after the show. If you can take advantage of this opportunity, you won't have to worry about ordering alcohol during the show or renting a car to drive to Franklin. 10. Other VenuesI know, I know! "Other" doesn't technically qualify as a 10th venue. But there are SO MANY live music venues in Nashville that it is impossible to write about all of them. This would be the longest blog post of all time. I tried to list a variety of venues above: indoor and outdoor, large and small, free and ticketed. However, there are so many in Music City that I wanted to add some other options to the list. If you are heading to Nashville, be sure to peruse the schedules for these venues as well:
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AuthorMy name is Alyssa Good and I have a passion for travel, adventure, culture, and new experiences! I focus on budget friendly travel, trip planning resources, and seeking out new experiences. Archives
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