For a destination to be declared number one for music it has to fit certain criteria that enables visitors and locals the opportunity to enjoy their chosen sound however they wish and having the correct blend of stadia, hall, bar, café or room, is often just as important as the headline act.
Below are the top 10 music cities in the world that have been chosen for both their eclectic mix of venues as well as their dedication to contemporary and traditional sounds. If you’re heading in the direction of anyone of these musical capitals then make sure you pack your dancing shoes because once your feet hit the ground you literally won’t be able to stop moving.
10. Havana
As Cuba’s undisputed epicentre of culture it’s no surprise that Havana has a strong musical vibe running over its cobbled streets and grand piazzas. Influences come from as far afield as Africa and Spain with a rumba rhythm pulsating long into the long, hot summer nights.
Venues, such as: El Gato Tuerto, Salón 1930 ‘Compay Segundo and La Casa de la Música all provide an authentic flavour of Latin American spirit and if you’re looking for salsa lessons, bustling bars or classically Cuban cafes, then check out the districts of: La Habana Vieja, Vedado and Miramar because you won’t be able to keep your heels from tappin’.
Current acts hailing from Havana that are well worth catching live include: Paquito D’Rivera (Jazz and Be-bop), Orishas (Hip-hop and Latin rap) and X Alfonso (rock/hip-hop fusion).
9. Tokyo
Once the preserve of only puppet theatres and operettas, Tokyo’s current live music scene is anything but old-fashioned with a buzzing array of venues that will take you from downtown ‘live houses’ to state-of-the-art arenas in the twinkling of an eye.
The neighbourhoods of: Koenji, Yoyogi and Shimokitazawa have a whole host of music hot spots and all manner of hipsters and indie kids can be seen bopping the night away to the strains of rock, punk, jazz and hip-hop. Aside from the smaller venues there are plenty of parks and arenas that regularly hold live concerts with Budokan Hall and Tokyo Dome amongst the biggest and the best.
Although gigs tend to start and finish early catching a show is an awesome option if you’re in the capital and there’s an eclectic blend of local and international groups, soloists and DJs playing pretty much every day of the week.
8. Berlin
Long regarded as one of Europe’s finest music capitals, Berlin’s awash with underground electro clubs, cool jazz cafes and more crazy party nights than you’d care to imagine. Although House and Techno still reign supreme there’s a real return to live music these days with popular haunts, including: Lido, SO36 and Feststaal Kreuzberg, all proving more than worthwhile if you’re looking to escape the DJ circuit.
Indie rock, alt punk and even Northern Soul can be heard throughout the capital and heading for the districts of: Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain and Mitte, will take you right to the heart of the action.
Local acts can be seen all over the city, with the likes of: Me & My Drummer (pop), Crime (indie-goth) and Ter haar (math rock) providing some excellent sounds no matter where you hear them.
7. Ibiza
With an enviable array of beach bars, open-air clubs and live music venues, Ibiza is indeed one of the premier music cities in the world. Balearic legends like Café del Mar have become eponymous with chill-out and ambient tunes and super clubs, for example: Pacha, Space and Amnesia are all hallowed ground for any serious raver.
In the last few years the island has also seen a leaning towards non-dance related music and festivals like Ibiza Rocks have paved the way for a different type of music loving holiday-maker.
Every summer from June through to October Ibiza presents a massive selection of DJs and live acts with: Pete Tong, Sven Vath, Solomun and Rizzle Kicks providing just a tiny selection of the tunes to electrify your summer.
6. Memphis
Regarded as the home of soul and rock & roll, Memphis, Tennessee, has had more than its fair share of accolades and recording artists to last more than a lifetime. Record labels: Sun and Stax, were responsible for launching the careers of: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Wilson Picket, Otis Redding and Muddy Waters, and still to this day soul, blues and that sweet southern sound can be heard around every corner.
There’s also a more contemporary music scene in Memphis with bands like: His Hero Gone (punk), Three 6 Mafia (rap) and Deep Shag (rock), all appearing in a variety of venues in and out of the city limits.
Live music nights are commonplace and Wild Bills, Minglewood Hall and Hi-Tone are all well-known for their focus upon indie music if you’re looking for an alternative to the Memphis blues.
5. Seattle
Back in the day, Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Sound Garden totally ruled the airwaves and catapulted Seattle into the music capital stratosphere as the undisputed home of grunge.
These days the likes of Fleet Foxes, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie are more likely to be linked to the city thanks to the recording label Sub Pop however, with numerous jazz cafes, rock arenas, classical orchestras and metal bands around it’s easy to see why Seattle’s still making a big noise on the west coast.
Venues like Crocodile, High Dive and Showbox are all awesome for a night out and districts such as Belltown, Ballard and Capitol Hill all have plenty of clubs, bars and low-down dives that will keep you up until the wee small hours.
4. New York
You name it and New York’s got it going on and from jazz cafes and blues bars to underground clubs and new wave joints, there’s never a dull day in the city that never sleeps.
Often considered as providing the roots for disco, house and hip hop you won’t be surprised to discover a thriving dance scene and clubs such as: Chaos, Cream and Cheeta all offer plenty of excuses to make some shapes and have yourself a good time.
NYC also has a huge salsa and Latin American following and heading to Washington Heights will introduce you to a super sensuous succession of dance halls and late night clubs.
From the folk and hippy tunes emanating from Greenwich Village, post-punk bands such as Interpol to the garage rock sounds of the Strokes, the Walkmen and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, this is an eclectic and buzzing music centre that shows no sign of stopping in its quest for worldwide acclaim and authority.
3. Nashville
Memphis had the blues and the soul but Nashville certainly had the country twang and legendary venues like the Grand old Opry and the Bluebird Café have become synonymous with presenting some of the world’s most acclaimed country music stars.
Fondly known as ‘Music City’ it’s easy to see why Nashville is up there in the top 10 and if you’re looking for further confirmation then checking out the likes of: 12th & Porter, 3rd & Lindsley, Music City Smokehouse and Drifters, will no doubt seal the deal.
Aside from attending a gig, Nashville is also well-known for its abundance of exhibitions with the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum providing more than a glimpse of why this is one of the world’s foremost cities when it comes to music.
2. Austin, Texas
With a self-proclaimed nickname of ‘The World’s Live Music Capital’ it will come as no surprise that Austin, Texas, is jammed-full of clubs, bars and arenas dedicated to belting out everything from blues to biker rock.
Austin is also well-known for its outdoor festivals where events and fringe shows take place all over the city and include comedy, food and a whole load of weirdness to ensure an alternative audience come forth in their droves.
Aside from the festivals, there’s over a hundred venues staging live acts every night of the week and clubs, for example: Emo’s, the Backyard and the Hole in the Wall, all offer a laid back vibe and live music no matter what you’re into.
1. London
Often thought of as the birthplace of many a music scene, London presents an eclectic mix of expensive clubs, traditional pubs and super-sized arenas that have all played host to some of the most recognised music acts in the world.
Synonymous with the Stones, the Beatles, the Clash and the Kinks, it’s easy to see how London has become a stomping ground for every new band looking to make it in the music business and with an amazing array of music venues there’s always a gig or a concert going on pretty much 24/7.
From Camden to Brixton, Soho to Shoreditch, you’ll find music seeping from every pore in the capital and no matter whether you’re into: jazz (Ronnie Scott’s), Latin (Floridita), punk (the Old Blue Last) or dubstep (Plastic People), this is the undisputed epicentre of UK music.
FAQs
What is the music city of the world? ›
Nashville has also long been known as the “Songwriting Capital of the World.” Songwriters from all over the globe come to Music City to learn the art and share their passion for songwriting.
Which city has the best music? ›Austin, Texas, is America's No. 1 live music city, with an average of five concert venues per capita — plus nine music festivals planned for 2022, which is almost 2x more than the average U.S. city!
What city is the music capital of the world? ›Ever wonder why Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World®? The slogan became official in 1991 after it was discovered that Austin had more live music venues per capita than anywhere else in the nation.
What is the city of music? ›Music is in the air and in the Viennese soul: Music fans engage with the heritage of famous composers and a live music scene comprising every genre.
Which place is famous for music? ›Known as the City of Music, Vienna has been the home to classical music for decades. Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart (you may have heard of them) all had their legend start in Vienna, where they composed and performed throughout their lives.
What is world's most famous city? ›Paris. Paris, perhaps the most famous city in the world, also happens to be one of the most visited. Around 17.44 million tourists touched down in Paris in 2018. Some of the most famous tourist attractions in Paris include the Eiffel Tower, the Champs D'Élysée, and the Arc de Triomph.
Which is the No 1 music in the world? ›Blinding Lights by Canadian pop star The Weeknd has become the number one song of all time on Billboard's music charts.
Which city has the best musicians? ›| Rank | City | Music Businesses Per Density |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 2.77 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | 1.13 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | 1.02 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 0.58 |
New York has produced more artists that reached the Hot 100 than any other city. Since 1958, 622 artists hailing from one of New York's five boroughs have collectively created 2,513 Billboard Hot 100 songs, for an average of 44.1 hits per year.
What place has the best music in the world? ›- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: Out of all countries, the United States of America has the finest music. ...
- THE UNITED KINGDOM: The next on the list is the United kingdom. ...
- GERMANY: Germany ranks third in the international music business.
Which city is declared as City of Music? ›
Varanasi was recognized as "City of Music" by UNESCO in 2015. It was chosen in the music category under the 'field of excellence' plan of UNESCO. The categories under the field of excellence include gastronomy, media arts, design, music, film, craft and folk art, and literature.
Where are the biggest music? ›The United States has remained the biggest market for recorded music in IFPI history, except in 2010 when Japan topped the list. The largest Asian music market, Japan has always stayed within the top two.
What state is best for music? ›It comes as no surprise that Tennessee tops the charts when it comes to music lovers. Nashville is, after all, known as Music City USA. Home to America's longest-running radio show, the famous RCA Studio B, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville was built on the foundation of music.
Is London a Music City? ›In November of 2021, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO announced that London had been designated a UNESCO City of Music. London is Canada's first city to receive this designation.
Which country is the Music City in? ›| Nashville, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Davidson |
| Founded | 1779 |
| Rank | City | Music Businesses Per Density |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 2.77 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | 1.13 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | 1.02 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 0.58 |
- 1 Philippines The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. ...
- 2 United States The United States of America, or the U.S.A. for short, is a federal republic composed of 50 states, 48 of them are contiguous states.
1. Rome, Italy. At number one you voted Rome as the most beautiful city in the world. With its thousand-year-old buildings such as the Forum Romanum or the Colosseum , beautiful piazzas and world-class art – not to mention Vatican City – we are certainly not surprised.
What are the top 3 world cities? ›| City | GaWC 2020 | Global City Lab 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| New York City | 2 | 1 |
| London | 1 | 2 |
| Paris | 8 | 3 |
| Tokyo | 9 | 4 |
A city of many faces, Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Home to the tallest tower in the world, the Burj Khalifa, this global city is known for its lavish architecture, incredible skylines and a plethora of tourist attractions that break records to be the tallest, longest and biggest.
What is the 1 best song of all time? ›
- 1 Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen. ...
- 2 Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin. ...
- 3 Imagine - John Lennon. ...
- 4 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana. ...
- 5 One - Metallica. ...
- 6 Hotel California - Eagles. ...
- 7 Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd. ...
- 8 Hey Jude - The Beatles.
Ed Sheeran is the most-followed male artist, and Ariana Grande is the most-followed female artist. Drake is the most-streamed male artist of all time, and Swift is the most-streamed female artist of all time.
Who is the number 1 musician of all time? ›Top-selling artists worldwide as of 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly, British rock band The Beatles are top of the list for best-selling artists worldwide, with 183 million units certified sales. Second is Garth Brooks with over 157 million units sales, followed by Elvis Presley with 139 million units.
Which city is famous for music concerts? ›London has the highest number of upcoming concerts (5,088) and the second highest number of music venues (207). Over 2,500 major artists call the city home, including legendary artists such as Elton John, Queen, David Bowie and Adele.
What city has the best rappers? ›1 New York City The City of New York, often called New York City or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States. New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the United States. Can't believe Houston and Atlanta are top.
What city has the most famous bands? ›Los Angeles. The list of rock bands and musicians to come out of L.A. is like a who's who of rock history. Among the biggest names are The Eagles, The Beach Boys, The Doors, Guns N' Roses, Motley Crue, Van Halen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Crosby Stills and Nash and Maroon 5.
Who has the most music fans in the world? ›| Popularity ranking | Artist | Fans tracking |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Rihanna | Fans tracking: 4,684,933 |
| 02 | Drake | Fans tracking: 4,684,282 |
| 03 | Coldplay | Fans tracking: 4,643,978 |
| 04 | Eminem | Fans tracking: 4,598,452 |
Beyoncé It's never too late to turn over a new leaf and bow down to the queen. If there was ever one group of the most dedicated superfans, Beyoncé's BeyHive would be at the top of the list.
What city has the most street musicians? ›New York City, NY
If you're looking to find exceptional street performers and busking musicians, head to the Big Apple, but stay underground. The metro in New York City is home to both some of the country's most experienced, well-seasoned performers and it's most ambitious, bright-eyed amateurs.
Japan is the largest physical music market in world.
Who is best music in the world? ›
1. Michael Joseph Jackson: Michael Joseph Jackson was born in Gary, India, on August 29, 1958, and died in Los Angeles, California, on June 25, 2009. He was a songwriter, singer, and dancer, among other things.
Which city is known as Heart city? ›Delhi: The heart of India.
Where is the town of music? ›In March 2006, Seville was designated as the first City of Music. Bologna was named approximately two months later. Seville has a "legendary Flamenco scene," and UNESCO lists Flamenco as an "intangible cultural heritage."
Which city is called the city of Pop? ›Liverpool: the 'World Capital City of Pop'
Which country has best music in Asia? ›- Kazakhstan.
- Brunei Darussalam.
- Bangladesh.
- Syria.
- Uzbekistan.
- Kuwait.
- Mongolia.
- Bhutan.
- The United States Of America. America, unsurprisingly, has the biggest music industry in the world. ...
- Japan. One would not be alone in being surprised at Japan having the second biggest music industry in the world. ...
- The United Kingdom. The UK is home to some of the greatest artists and bands in history.
According to Guinness World Records, Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" (1942) as performed by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single worldwide, with estimated sales of over 50 million copies.
What is the capital of music? ›Austin's official motto is the "Live Music Capital of the World" due to the high volume of venues hosting live music performances in the city, sometimes over 100 on the same night.
What is the best city to start a music career? ›- Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles is where aspiring stars go to solidify their fame. ...
- Atlanta, GA. Atlanta is a central hub for entertainment. ...
- Miami, FL. If you're interested in working in Latin or electronic dance music (EDM), look no further than Miami.
Nationally, the music industry contributes $170 billion and supports 2.47 million jobs. California has the largest music industry of all the states, at $39.5 billion and nearly 431,000 jobs, followed by Texas, which contributes $27.3 billion to its state GDP and supports more than 210,000 jobs.
What city is known for jazz? ›
New Orleans: Birthplace of jazz.
Where is jazz most popular? ›New Orleans is probably the most famous jazz city in the world, and in fact is sometimes referred to as the birthplace of the genre.
What state is the music capital? ›Austin, Texas
Austin is called 'The Live Music Capital of the World' because it has more music venues per person than anywhere else in the United States. Every night you'll find hundreds of venues offering live music ranging from country, jazz, punk, blues, and more.
Birthplace of Jazz | New Orleans.
› watch ›Top 20 Greatest Music Cities in the World
Top 7 Music Capitals of the World
What are the Top 10 Best Music Cities in the United States?
Varanasi was recognized as "City of Music" by UNESCO in 2015. It was chosen in the music category under the 'field of excellence' plan of UNESCO. The categories under the field of excellence include gastronomy, media arts, design, music, film, craft and folk art, and literature.
Which country is the Music City in? ›| Nashville, Tennessee | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Tennessee |
| County | Davidson |
| Founded | 1779 |
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 881,549 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | 705,749 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | 429,606 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 753,675 |
1. Music towns. Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, is known for its festival scene—from Austin City Limits to South by Southwest—and iconic venues, such as Antone's, Broken Spoke and the Continental Club.
Which city is known as Heart city? ›Delhi: The heart of India.
What is the city of rock music? ›
Memphis. Cleveland is widely accepted as the "Home of Rock and Roll," but Memphis may have had more influence in developing the popular music genre.
Where is the town of music? ›In March 2006, Seville was designated as the first City of Music. Bologna was named approximately two months later. Seville has a "legendary Flamenco scene," and UNESCO lists Flamenco as an "intangible cultural heritage."
Is London a Music City? ›In November of 2021, the Canadian Commission for UNESCO announced that London had been designated a UNESCO City of Music. London is Canada's first city to receive this designation.
Which country is the country of music? ›| Country | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Country and western |
| Stylistic origins | American folk Appalachian Cajun Creole blues church Southern gospel spirituals old-time Western New Mexico Tejano Texas country |
| Cultural origins | 1920s, Southern and Southwestern U.S. |
| Subgenres | |
New Orleans: Birthplace of jazz.
What city has the best musicians? ›| Rank | City | Music Businesses Per Density |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 2.77 |
| 2 | Washington, DC | 1.13 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | 1.02 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | 0.58 |
New York has produced more artists that reached the Hot 100 than any other city. Since 1958, 622 artists hailing from one of New York's five boroughs have collectively created 2,513 Billboard Hot 100 songs, for an average of 44.1 hits per year.
What is the musical capital of America? ›The history of music runs deep in Nashville, and it's the capital of the world for live music performances, music festivals, and songwriting. The music scene of Nashville is one of the best in the world. If you love music and you want to find the best entertainment in the city, you need to know where to go.
Is Austin Texas like Nashville? ›Austin and Nashville are so similar they may as well be related. Both are capitals of their state, have a thriving music scene, boast strong economies, and are fiercely driven by a desire to create. Whether visiting or considering something more permanent, get to know each city and what it offers.