Charleston’s Musical Scene and Where to Start

With an active community that wants to discover new things every day, Charleston has become quite a music hub in the past years. The city’s music scene is growing at a fast pace, and many have started to compare it to those of other college towns such as Austin, Texas. The large number of bands and live entertainment locations are certainly supporting this comparison.

It’s true that the city has been put on the musical map by other bands in the past as well, the best-known ones being Shovels & Rope and Hootie & the Blowfish. Today, modern bands are aiming to do the same with quality music and performances, so if you are around and you don’t know how to spend a nice evening with your friends, you should check out the available live performances in town.

Many of the local bands have also started touring around the country, playing at festivals, so you won’t be disappointed if you give them a chance to amaze you with their music. Local music labels have made it their mission to put the city on the map, especially with Hearts & Plugs that took the indie rock scene by storm.

The great part is that music genres are constantly being crossed, so when it comes to creativity and bringing a fresh sound, there are no limitations. It’s true that in the past, venues around the city were less inclined to allow bands, especially indie rock ones, to play their music. However, such conditions were pushed and today the city has plenty of opportunities for young musicians.

Where should you go?

If you are a music enthusiast yourself and are looking at information on musical instruments, such as this well-detailed review, then you might be playing a little bit of this and that yourself.

If that’s the case, then you should check out the annual Charleston Music Confab, which is a great platform that brings big names in the industry to the table, providing real opportunities for young musicians.

With this being said, you may be wondering where you can go to listen to good music, no matter if we’re talking about indie rock, or any other genre.

The Pour House should definitely be a stop if you are looking forward to listening to good music. The venue offers live music pretty much every night, with local bands such as The Reckoning, that plays covers, and many other groovy ones.

If you are looking for a chill place, this is the one for you. It has both indoor and outdoor bars, so you can pick the spot that works for you, as well as a large area to see both stages.

Another spot in Charleston that you should keep in mind for good live music is The Purple Buffalo. The venue has been around since 2016 and ever since then it has become the hotspot for the underground music scene in Charleston. If you are into eclectic sounds and hip-hop shows or punk hardcore events, this is the place for you.

The bar’s owners and management are all about creating an ideal space for artists to explore their music and do their thing, which is something that many people (musicians or not) appreciate and enjoy. The Purple Buffalo has taken things to the next level by organizing its own music festival called the Extra Chill Fest.

Other spots around the city

Those of you who are into jazz and its complex sound might appreciate a venue where one can go and enjoy a night of dancing and listening to good music at the Commodore. The bar reopened in April 2016 and since then it has hosted plenty of evenings with local bands playing great funk covers. In fact, this happens almost every night of the week.

You should also keep an eye on the place for touring and local bands playing original music, as The Commodore has nights like these as well. You can also take a look at the Music Farm, which is a larger venue that has hosted hundreds of acts throughout time. If you are not sure how to spend an evening, check out the Music Farm, as there’s always something going on here.

Make sure to check out the venue’s concert calendar, given that it might bring some of your favorite musicians right into Charleston. However, given that we’re talking about a relatively small venue that many times invites big-name artists, make sure you’re getting your ticket early, as many of the events are sold out.

Sources:

https://www.postandcourier.com/charleston_scene/2018choice/charleston-is-up-and-coming-with-its-music-scene-/article_bccd0c76-a40f-11e8-b855-230098cce7fe.html

https://extrachill.com/2016/08/beginners-guide-charleston-music-scene.html

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