There’s no doubt that bands like The Black Lips, Manchester Orchestra, Gringo Star and The Coathangers prove that there’s a healthy indie music scene in Atlanta, but that’s not what makes the city’s music scene unique.
It’s the urban spectrum of hip-hop, R&B and Neo-soul, which has become responsible for the metropolis’ current musical allure.
While the city was once a haven for various music genres at different periods of time throughout history – country music in the 20s, southern rock in the 70s and punk rock in the 80s – some the world’s biggest urban acts have used the city as a launching pad in the 21st Century.
Everyone from Cee Lo Green, Outkast, Usher, B.o.B to Ciara and Lil John have achieved notoriety in the past decade.
Just as Janelle Monáe and (unfortunately yes) Justin Bieber have relocated to the area, with the former meeting Big Boi in the city, which subsequently launched her career as an eccentric pop enigma.
While Bieber was drawn to the Atlanta through Usher, both artists show that the city has a propensity for churning out both mainstream and indie acts alike.
Though Bieber may not be the best selling point for Atlanta and while that genre may have helped pushed the city to the forefront in recent times it still holds plenty of cultural touchstones to the past.
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Given the amount of quality jazz and blues clubs in the city there’s little chance music enthusiasts will stop by without experiencing at least a couple.
Urban music may be in vogue now, but given Atlanta’s ability to have an impact in just about every genres rise in America there’s no telling which music type it’ll champion next. And perhaps that’s the biggest draw card of the metropolis: the next wave is just waiting to be unearthed in Georgia’s biggest city.
To find exactly why watch the video below from 2008 to see Atlana’s musicians talk about the city’s music scene including a pre-fame Janelle Monáe.
Head To Indie Music Festival To Catch The Best Acts You Haven’t’ Heard Of In The Once Place
It isn’t always easy to unearth a city’s music on your first trip to the area, but this festival does just that. Organised by the IMR Magazine the festival takes place for around five days in June every year and is held at venerable music houses such as The Music Room, Smith’s Olde Bar and The Basement to name just a few. Few other festivals provide such an insight into not only Atlanta’s, but the country’s indie music scene in such an easily accessible manner.
Hear Live Jazz & Reggae At Apache Café
64 3rd St
While not limited to jazz or reggae this establishment does both exceptionally well. Its ability to book quality acts doesn’t end there though they have a bent towards anything that could be considered avant-garde. Which does almost put it at odds with its warm brick walls that suggest something more acoustic and singer-songwriter-esque. In actuality you can find everything from think-tank debates and poetry slams to film screenings and performance art at Apache Cafe.
Discover The City’s “Finest Selection” Of Vinyl At Fantasyland
360 Pharr Rd
Open six days a week from 11am to 7pm this store dates back 1976 and is said to include around 50,000 titles. With a range of new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs and posters few other stores in Atlanta appeal to a diverse range of music listeners like Fantasyland does. Legend has it that the likes of Eric Clapton and Chris Robinson have visited the store in the past.
Attend A3C For “Hip-Hop’s Biggest Stage”
Think of it like SXSW, but exclusively for hip-hop. Featuring over 500 gigs from acts to DJs the world over this festival is situated around the CBD of Atlanta with the biggest, best, most interesting and up and coming acts being showcased annually. With ten years of experience there is no better way to witness and discover quality hip-hop than at this event.
Tune Into WMLB AM1960 For The City’s Best Radio Station
Paste Magazine calls it their “first choice for Atlanta radio” (they have their own show on the station) and if that isn’t testament enough to their statement of it being “The Voice of the Arts” then just tune via the link above. They play everything from “old-timey music of the early twentieth century to the latest independent rock releases to folk songs of the 1960s to afrobeat tunes”. With a program that diverse there really is no question to what station you should be listening to in Atlanta.
See The Biggest Gigs In Town At The Tabernacle
152 Luckie St
Better known as The Tabby this mid-size concert hall has seen everyone from Guns ‘N’ Roses to Adele, Robbie Williams, Prince, Bob Dylan Alice In Chains. Managed by Live Nation there’s little surprise the world’s biggest acts congregate here. Opened in 1910, originally as a Baptist Medical Centre, the balcony rows ensures that you can see from just about anywhere in the venue.
Get Vinyl And Comics At Criminal Records
1154 Euclid Ave
Even if, by some weird chance, you don’t find the music item you were looking the comic books, magazines, movies and toys will undeniably tempt you to drop some cash. But we doubt you’ll be leaving here without some quality vinyl. There’s a diverse collection here so regardless of your flavour you should find yourself catered for.
Witness Some Of The World’s Biggest Acts At Music Midtown
Just about every city in America has one and for Atlanta its big festival is Music Midtown. With Eminem, Jack white, John Mayer, Lana Del Rey, Lorde and Iggy Azalea amongst others booked to play. Held on the 19th and 20th at Piedmont Park the venue provides a pretty decent view of Atlanta’s skyline, which given the lineup is just the cherry on top.
Catch Local Acts At Northside Tavern
1058 Howell Mill Rd
While the term ‘dive bar’ may not be particularly appealing the Northside Tavern may look rough around the edges, but not in the off putting kind. Perhaps it’s the blues bands that you can see inside that convinces you to shut out the dirty aesthetics of the venue? We’ll never really know, but we’re certain that in a city full of blues venues Northside Tavern stands on par with the best.
Buy The City’s Best Used Records At Wax ‘n’ Facts
432 Moreland Ave
LPs, CDs, 8-tracks, 78s, 45s, cassettes, you name the medium and this establishment we’ll probably have it. Opened in 1976 Wax ‘N’ Facts has long served as a reliable establishment of used records, while the latest local and international records can also be found here.
