Baltimore isn’t the easiest city to sell as a music destination. If the sublime HBO drama The Wire didn’t burn an image into your mind of the city’s crime problems than perhaps you were more interested in the metropolises of Austin, Chicago, New Orleans or Portland anyway.
However the largest city in Maryland has a few hidden musical treasures worth uncovering.
First and foremost the live music hub that is Power Plant Live! should be a tourists first stop if they’re looking to experience the city’s nightlife. The area is a collection of bars, clubs and other establishments that are located in the Inner Harbor section of downtown Baltimore.
The area was redeveloped in the late 90s in a power station and it remains as one of the city’s key areas to experience their live music scene.
Baltimore’s roots can be traced back to a time where opera, music theatre, Western classical music and jazz all held significance at one point or another.
However in the current era club music is what most describe the city’s key sound as. There are several clubs and many DJs where this music permeates stronger than most.
Still as far as indie circles go you can’t think of Baltimore’s music scene without mentioning Beach House. Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally have toured the world several times over with their trademark dream pop sound.
That’s notwithstanding the popularity of psychedelic indie favourites Animal Collective either, while the critically adored Lower Dens have started to make their mark since the duo’s debut was released in 2010.
Future Islands (listen below) have started to gain attraction overseas in recent times as well. They’ve made huge waves in 2014 with a performance on David Letterman and with their fourth album, Singles.
Without further ado it’s time to look at the 11 things every music fan must do in Baltimore.
Visit One Of The Locals’ Favourite Record Stores in True Vine Record Shop
3544 Hickory Ave
The True Vine is a great place to buy music in Baltimore. But be warned it’s not the kind of place you go to look for something specific, usually. But if you’re open to suggestions, you can seek some out from the best and brightest minds and ears that Baltimore has to offer. Non-Baltimoreans can get a piece of the action by buying a subscription–an absurd amount of rare and exciting music for almost no money.
Experience The Shindig Festival, the City’s Biggest Rock Event
After a rollicking start in their inaugural edition in 2013 with the likes of Dropkick Murpheys, Joan Jett, The Gaslight Anthem and The Hold Steady booked amongst others this event is set to return to Carroll Park in 2014 on the 27th of September. Over two stages Janes Addiction and Rise Against will headline a lineup of acts that are poised sustain this festival’s success. They call it the city’s “Only true rock and roll festival” and judging by the two lineups they’ve offered so far we can tell they mean business.
Head to The Ottobar For the Best Local and International Acts
2549 N. Howard St
You know you’ve got a great music venue on your hands when you manage to entice Manchester Orchestra, Conor Oberst, The Hold Steady, The Walkmen and Animal Collective and that’s what Ottobar proudly boasts. With the aforementioned names it should come as a small surprise that this small venue is popular amongst indie circles. Because what better way is there to experience a band but in an intimate setting?
See Live Music at The Crown, One Of The City’s Cosiest Music Venues
1910 N Charles Street (2nd)
The Crown will fast become your new favourite place to see music in Baltimore. It’s cozy and comfortable, the drinks are cheap, the food is delicious. Mostly, though, it seems to be full of people who are excited about and open to new musical experiences rather than simply socialising and getting drunk.
Shop at El Supremo Records For All Your Used Goods
1709 Aliceanna St.
El Supremo is supreme because it can back up its name with a stock base that is 13,000 units strong. That’s records, cassettes, 8-tracks, DVDs, VHS, CD’s, books, vintage stereo equipment, turntables, instruments, pop culture stuff and memorabilia. Got all that? It’s quite a lot and El Supremo has the building to match with plenty of variety when it comes to their diverse range of goods. They pretty much sell every genre rather than sticking to a few. While most of the records are used the store has a great cleaning service that’ll make them (almost) as good as new!
Catch Horse Lords Live in Their Hometown
These guys are an experimental rock 4 piece an are Baltimore natives.
If you’re a fan of fellow Baltimore based experimentalists Matmos you should definitely check these guys out.
See the Best Local Bands at Charm City Art Space
1731 Maryland Avenue
Among the hipster elite warehouse venues have become all the rage. Charm City Art Space does just as its name suggests. That is to allow a place for visual and performance artists to showcase to the public what they’ve been working on. Plenty of musicians also book gigs here. Sure its plain interior doesn’t look as fancy as some other venues but it does host some of some of the city’s most energetic gigs.
Witness International Touring Acts as they Stop By at Rams Head Live!
512 York Road
Situated in the Power Plant hub of Baltimore this venue acts a mainstream venue and yet also a smaller club depending on the night. They get everyone from popular acts to indie and local bands. In 2014 alone they’ve got Damon Albarn, The Head And The Heart, Rudimental and Neko Case booked for the months ahead. The best part about Rams Head though is the many vantage points that punters can use to actually see the stage.
Take A Drive Out Of Town to Experience Sweetlife Festival‘s Incredible Venue
All it took for this festival to sell out in 2014 was to book Lana Del Rey, Foster The People, Bombay Bicycle Club and Bastille amongst others. Hosted a short drive outside of Baltimore at the famous Merriweather Post Pavilion there are few better backdrops for a music festival than a forest. Even if you can’t make it to the festival check out the venue’s website to see if you can catch a gig at this incredible venue while you’re in the area.
Be Spellbound by the Moves and Tunes of Future Islands
In case you don’t know who Future Islands are their fourth album, Singles, has blown up in 2014 after a spellbinding performance on David Letterman.
