24 Aug The 8 Best Destinations For Music Lovers
Music brings people together just as much as food and sports. It has impacted culture through rhythms, lyrics and festivals. How can you appreciate the history of music and its most famous figures? The world has numerous ways to celebrate melodies and harmonies and the history of music. Here are the eight best destinations for music lovers.
Congo Square
Much of the music you know and love comes from jazz. Rock and roll, pop, hip-hop and others thank this genre as a primary influence. So, where did jazz get its start? Head to Congo Square inside Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans. Some call this site the birthplace of jazz, as musicians gathered to play early renditions of the genre’s music.
Congo Square’s legacy continues in the 21st century, with parades and funerals still bringing music to The Big Easy. Admission is free, so take advantage of the year-round concerts and festivals. For example, the Congo Square Rhythms Festival showcases music and dancing that made it famous. The performers connect with their ancestral traditions for incredible performances.
Grand Ole Opry
Country music is another genre with roots in the South, and Nashville is its home. Head to the Grand Ole Opry to soak in the genre’s history and see incredible performances. This nearly century-old building has featured the who’s who of country music and platformed some artists. Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and others made their names on the Tennessee stage.
Today, the Grand Ole Opry is a staple for music fans because it hosts the industry’s biggest names. When you visit the famous site, you may see an Opry member give a memorable performance. Some current affiliates include Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Rascal Flatts. Tour the facility to see where the radio show has broadcasted for nearly a century.
The Cavern Club
The British Invasion brought the Beatles to the United States, where they became a worldwide phenomenon. Before their massive crowds and devoted fans, the Fab Four performed at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, United Kingdom. This establishment is still open today and remains an integral part of music history. It started as a jazz club but evolved into a rock-and-roll hub.
The Cavern Club has resident bands performing year-round, showcasing Britain’s best. That said, the Beatles are the establishment’s bread and butter. The venue dedicates much of itself to the Fab Four with decorations and memorabilia. You may even see the Cavern Club’s Beatles tribute band perform the group’s biggest hits. If you head to London for a week, take a train to Liverpool to visit this venue.
Motown Museum
Soul music exploded in the 1960s thanks to Motown Records in Detroit. This record label launched the careers of Marv Johnson, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, and others. Now, you can visit the studio where the magic happened. The Motown Museum in Detroit commemorates Hitsville U.S.A. and takes you back to a critical time in music history.
From the outside, Motown seems like a small building where people live. However, the little house changed the world with its hit songs. Berry Gordy Jr. and others used music production equipment to create classic tunes like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.” Head to the Motown Museum to see historic exhibits and fun events year-round.
Martin Guitar Museum
The Martin Guitar Museum is a must-see attraction if you like music history. This Pennsylvania institution tells the story of this famous guitar company, which has roots over two centuries. The Martin Guitar store also has instruments and various accessories for purchase. You can take a guitar home and pair it with picks and straps — just like the music legends did.
Some of the industry’s biggest names carried Martin guitars for their performances. Kurt Cobain, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and Elvis Presley proudly used these instruments due to their sound quality. The museum displays the 1930 OM-45 De Luxe, the D-18 and other famous guitars. Additionally, you’ll see ukuleles and mandolins produced during the Great Depression.
The Crocodile
Before Cobain played his Martin guitar, he and his Nirvana bandmates played shows around Washington state. If you were making a name for yourself, you performed at The Crocodile in Seattle. This live music venue put Emerald City on the map as the home of grunge music. Famous names have passed through The Crocodile to establish their presence.
Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam are other familiar names that performed at The Crocodile in the 1990s. Today, you can visit the venue and embrace Seattle’s live music scene. While not at its original location, The Crocodile still has an essential role in music history. Modern artists like Snoop Dogg, Billie Eilish, and Lizzo still perform at this venue.
Red Rocks Ampitheatre
Seattle and Los Angeles dominate West Coast music. However, there are a few sites you can’t miss in the western states. For instance, check out the Red Rocks Ampitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. This venue is just outside of Denver and is a breathtaking site for a concert. Sit back, relax and listen as you view the sandstone formations and the Denver skyline.
Red Rocks has become a historic site, having hosted the Beatles, John Denver, and The Carpenters. The venue’s legacy continues in 2024 as it invites famous modern artists to the stage. One of the best parts of this venue is its accessibility for motorhomes and road trippers. Take your RV to Red Rocks, Rocky Mountain National Park, and other Colorado sites.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Explore the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to see music history come together. This Cleveland museum on the shores of Lake Erie commemorates the history of rock and its most influential figures. The facility opened its doors in 1995 and has added numerous fun exhibits in the last three decades. With new inductees annually, there’s more to see each time you come.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dedicates every floor to a different aspect of the genre. For example, the third floor displays the Hall of Fame members and their musical contributions. Pink Floyd fans appreciate the fourth floor, as it replicates the band’s 1990 tour. The fifth floor contains rock legend artefacts like pinball machines and drafts of lyrics.
Making Musical Memories On Your Next Trip
The abundance of music genres means you have plenty of destinations to see worldwide. Each corner of the world boasts venues and museums where artists left their marks. You may get lucky and run into one of your favorite musicians when touring these famous sites, too.
Author bio: Jack Shaw is a freelance lifestyle writer and dedicated traveler. His writing focuses on exploring the food, culture and beautiful views of wherever life decides to throw him. Stories of his travel can be seen in Modded, Trekaroo, The Travel Magazine and more. Jack has a love of all things outdoors, and spends much of his free time taking on local hiking trails and state parks.
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