Nashville is one of the best places in the country for live music. No matter what night of the week you go out, there is always a live show going on somewhere. One of the best things about the city is also the variety of music you can hear. While many know Nashville for its country music scene, you can listen to live music from every genre. Here are some of the best places to see and hear live music in Nashville.
Ryman Auditorium
In downtown Nashville, many know the Ryman Auditorium as the “The Mother Church of Country Music.” This venue is something special and considered hallowed ground by both the artists and the audience. Johnny Cash met June Carter on the Ryman stage, and it is the birthplace of Bluegrass. These days you can see some of country music’s established artists and some emerging ones as well. Some upcoming shows include Dwight Yoakam, The Isaacs, Dick Hardwick, and Lindsay Ell. You can also see Little Big Town on this stage along with Amy Grant and Vince Gill.
Mercy Lounge
You can see some of the top musical acts perform on the stage at Mercy Lounge and be one of the first to hear new artists as they get their start. The building houses not only the main lounge, but also the Cannery Ballroom which will fit 1,000 people, and The High Watt, a smaller room where you can often catch new and local bands. Some of the upcoming acts heading to The Mercy include Blizzard of Ozzy, an Ozzy Ozbourne and Black Sabbath tribute band, Blue Water Highway, and True Widow.
The Station Inn
If you like Bluegrass, then The Station Inn is where you need to go to listen to live music. This historic venue has seen Dolly Parton perform along with Reba McEntire, and Alison Krauss. There is live music every night with a focus on Bluegrass, but you’ll also get to hear other kinds of music like rock and folk. Tickets for shows at The Station Inn are on a first come, first served basis, so make sure to get there early if there is a performance you want to see.
The Bluebird Cafe
A trip to Nashville is not complete without a stop at the Bluebird Cafe. This is the place to go if you want to hear the some of the best singer-songwriters in the business perform in an intimate setting. If you haven’t been to the Bluebird before, make sure you listen quietly. This place has a “Shhh policy” and asks that their audience keep their conversations to a minimum while the performers are on stage.
Some of country music’s most famous performers got their start on this stage, including Garth Brooks and Kathy Mattea. You also never know who you might bump into on any given night at the Bluebird. Artists such as LeAnn Rimes and Jojo Hermann regularly stop in to listen.
These are some of the best places to listen to live music in Nashville, although there are many more.
This photo, “Paul, Lisa at Bluebird Cafe,” by dvs used under CC BY 2.o. “Paul, Lisa at Bluebird Cafe” is licensed under CC BY 2.o by Wyatt Johnson Ford.
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