Live Music

There’s a Reason We’re Called Music City

Chances are, your perspective of Nashville’s music is too narrow–especially if all you know is your grandma’s records or the gaudy neon-lit sounds of Broadway’s honky tonks. We’re home to all kinds of music–rock, pop, gospel, r’n’b, jazz, soul, classical, opera, and musical theater. Nashville boasts more than 180 music venues.

Fun fact: the origin of our nickname has nothing to do with country music. When the Fisk Jubilee Singers performed before Queen Victoria in 1873 during a tour of Europe, she marveled at their artistry and exclaimed (well, I’m not sure if queens are allowed to exclaim), “You must be from a city of music.” Boom, the moniker stuck.

According to a recent study, Nashville has 112 dedicated music spaces among 252 that sometimes offer live music. That’s six times per capita of New York City–so you don’t lack for options.

Honky tonk heroes

Yes, those neon lights are photogenic but the downtown honky tonks only scratch the surface of our country music scene. There’s country music playing all over town–and you probably won’t find a bad musician anywhere because the competition for stage time is so intense.

The Grand Ole Opry and other full-fledged shows

The Opry is the granddaddy of our live shows but it’s not the only place you’ll find fully staged productions for a great night on the town.

Singer-songwriters

Nowhere in the world celebrates songwriters like Nashville and we proudly put them in the spotlight. Sure, some have written for Reba, Garth, and Kelsi but our writers have also penned hits for Eric Clapton, Beyonce, Bonnie Raitt, Lady Gaga, Nelly, and many more.

Jazz and Blues

Tasty trios. Sweat-soaked blues. We’ve got both. If jazz or blues are your jam, here’s where you’ll get the skinny on who’s throwing down.

Rock/Alternative/Other “non-country” genres

Many visitors ask, “What if I don’t like country music?” Click the link above for the answer.

Nashville Symphony Orchestra

Classical and opera

Our Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony Orchestra covers the bases from the masters to film soundtracks to pop hitmakers. With its aggressive schedule, there’s a good chance the symphony will be performing while you’re in town.

Nashville Opera Company performs the classics as well as contemporary and experimental works.

The little publicized Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University presents student and faculty performances throughout the year.

The Candlelight Concert Series, performed by a string quartet at The Parthenon in Centennial Park, takes patrons on diverse musical pilgrimages. One concert might feature Vivaldi or Mozart; the next might be the music of Coldplay or Queen.

Ballet and musical theatre

Nashville Ballet has a stellar history of storytelling that combines music and dance. Their production “Anthropology” was a riveting example of how the company makes ballet accessible.

We also have a rich history in musical theatre with a number of companies including Nashville Repertory Theatre in Nashville and Studio Tenn in Franklin.

Our people have even taken on Broadway. Local songwriter Wayne Kirkpatrick was one of the masterminds behind the hit “Something Rotten” and the writing duo Shane McAnally and Brandy Clark penned the music for “Shucked.”

For more complete theatre listings, head here.

Outdoor music series

Nice weather brings out nice music. Here are dozens of opportunities to hear live music outdoors–and some are free!

Check out my Nashville Calendar post for additional  limited-run offerings.