Nashville Concerts & Live Music

Welcome to the Music City! The Country music capital of the world, and without a doubt one of the best cities in the world to see live music. To really get you in the mood, we recommend taking a stroll through the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and get blown away by the stars that have called this city home. Elvis is still in the building…

Nowadays, just about every country star makes his or her way into Music City to record an album and they usually end up staying for good. Why? Well, concerts and live music in Nashville is too enticing to pass up. So the next time you’re in town (or if you live here, lucky you), make sure you check out these venues.

Ryman Auditorium

To kick us off, let’s get straight to it - located in Downtown, the Ryman Auditorium is one of the most famous concert venues in town.

You may just have a religious experience here, because this Mecca has hosted major events like the Country Music Awards, the Johnny Cash Show, and was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and dubbed a National Historic Landmark in 2001, the 2,362-seat Ryman has had big names walk through its doors.  

Tennessee Three, The Statler Brothers, the Carter Family, Patty Griffin, Neil Young, Josh Turner, Johnny Lang, Ringo Starr, Coldplay, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, the Foo Fighters, and Garth Brooks.

Need any more convincing? Just go there.

The Basement

Smaller but just as authentic in its own right, The Basement is on 8th Avenue and has an incredibly intimate feel that is special for both fans and musicians. There have even been a few secret shows that popped up, including Metallica surprising the 175 person crowd in 2008 and Mumford & Sons in 2012. You’ll definitely be impressed with an authentic rock vibe when you’re in here.

Mercy Lounge

If you want an awesome blend of a venue with about 1,000 person capacity that will draw major headliners as well as some awesome local acts that you haven’t heard of yet, head your way into Downtown to Mercy Lounge. Split between the large Cannery venue and the smaller High Watt, Mercy Lounge has featured big timers like The White Stripes, John Fogerty, Jimmy Cliff, Jane's Addiction, Iggy Pop, Lenny Kravitz, Midnight Oil, Greg Allman, and Robin Trower. 

The Station Inn

Over in the Gulch ‘hood, since the 70s, The Station Inn has been Nashville’s home for the most authentic bluegrass music. It’s nothing fancy, but some damn fancy names have walked through these doors: Gillian Welch, Ralph Stanley, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, and Reba McEntire. Come on in at 7pm for pizza, beer and snacks. The music starts 9pm.

3rd and Lindsley

The awesome renovation in 2011 has not changed 3rd and Lindsley’s authentic and neighborhood concert venue. It's made the experience that much better.

Open for lunch and dinner, this spot has been entertaining crowds with national, international, and local superstars for a long time. Big names include Ed Sheeran (Ed!), Old Crow Medicine Show, Train, and Sheryl Crow.

Bluebird Cafe

If you’re going to be in Nashville, please do us a favor and pay your respects at the Bluebird. Opened in 1982 with seats for only 90 people, this cafe has become a must-play for all artists, legends, and locals. Both Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were discovered here and Dave Grohl played a set to a very shocked crowd. Let’s just say they were pleasantly surprised.

Grand Ole Opry House

Last but not least, this wouldn’t be a complete list without a shout out to the Grand Ole Opry, the radio show that’s been running since 1925 that truly made country music famous.

The biggest names have performed on the Opry stage, it’s literally a right of passage in country music. The show played in the Ryman until 1974 when the larger, more modern Grand Ole Opry House was built for these larger than life performers.

Back in the day, stars like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Roy Acuff, the Carter family, Bill Monroe, Ernest Tubb, Kitty Wells and Minnie Pearl made the Opry famous. In recent times, Dolly Parton, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, Blake Shelton and the Dixie Chicks have all graced the stage.

Just 9 miles from Downtown, the House is like a museum in its own right, displaying so much history that it is definitely worth a visit for any music fan, country preferences aside.

There are countless concerts in Nashville, snag tickets from EvilTickets today.