Grooveshark

Here in Gainesville we are blessed with an incredibly diverse music scene. On any given night you can typically choose between seeing an alt-country band, punk rock, and even mariachi hip hop. Unfortunately, amongst this melting pot of music in our rural cultural oasis there are very few bands that can actually be classified as “good”. Sure, Gainesville churned out Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and Against Me!, but our fair city is also responsible for that obnoxiously catchy chorus in Sister Hazel’s “All For You”. It is a double edged sword indeed.

So what cities have the most vibrant music scenes both historically and currently? I went home last night and compiled a list of what I thought were the cities that most consistently produced incredible music. I’m sure I forgot some, so if you’re from Topeka, Kansas and incensed that I would omit your town, leave a comment detailing why the Jayhawk State is awesome and why I’m a nancy boy.

Athens, Georgia

Deep in the middle of nowhere in northern Georgia is an enclave of music and culture that has established itself as one of the most vibrant and relevant cities in music. Home of The University of Georgia, Athens seems to have an assembly line that rolls out an incredibly innovative band at least once a year. One of the last cities in the world where record stores still matter, Athens initially rose to prominence with the 1982 release of R.E.M.’s Murmur.

Bands to Check Out: R.E.M., Of Montreal, Neutral Milk Hotel, Danger Mouse, Widespread Panic, Dead Confederate

Listen: “Suffer For Fashion” by Of Montreal.

See A Show Here: The 40 Watt Club.

The Triangle

The Triangle is actually a triumvirate of cities in North Carolina. Consisting of Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and Durham, The Triangle saw it’s music scene explode in the mid 90’s with bands like Superchunk, Ben Folds Five, and Archers of Loaf. The close proximity to several major colleges makes The Triangle one of the best college rock scenes around.

Bands to Check Out: Ben Folds Five, Whiskeytown (Ryan Adams), Archers of Loaf, Superchunk

Listen: “Midway Park” by Whiskeytown.

See A Show Here: Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina.

The Twin Cities, Minnesota

This ridiculously cold place in Minnesota fostered one of the most tight knit music scenes in the world in the 1980’s. Most notable for the success of local product Prince, 1980’s Minnesota also produced Husker Du, The Replacements, and Soul Asylum. The center of all of this action was a now defunct record store called Oarfolkjokeopus that has become legendary since it closed its doors. The Hold Steady frontman Craig Finn is also from here.

Bands to Check Out: Some obscure guy named Prince, The Replacements, The Hold Steady, Tapes ‘n Tapes, Husker Du

Listen: “Stuck Between Stations” by The Hold Steady

See a Show Here: 7th Street Entry.

Austin, Texas

When trying to develop a music scene, it tends to really help when you have 85,000 different venues to see a show on any given city block. It also helps when the biggest music conference in the world sets up shop in the downtown section of your city. Austin can claim both of these things (maybe not 85,000 venues per se), and has established itself as a premier destination for live music.

Bands to Check Out: Alejandro Escovedo, Spoon, Okkervil River, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead

Listen: “I Turn My Camera On” by Spoon

See A Show Here: The Continental Club

Brooklyn, New York

It seems like just about every hipster band in the world was spawned from Brooklyn. MTV even noticed and the next season of Real World will take place in Brooklyn. Many bands flocked to Brooklyn as rent prices in Manhattan skyrocketed, making it a veritable melting pot of culture and music.

Bands To Check Out: TV on the Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Les Savy Fav, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Listen: “Maps” by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

See a Show Here: Southpaw.

Baltimore

The music scene in Baltimore has become increasingly vital over the last few years. Rolling Stone recently named it “The Best Music Scene in The Country”, and they weren’t far off for once. The city is home to several music festivals as well as Dan Deacon’s Wham City collective.

Bands to Check Out: Animal Collective, Dan Deacon, Spank Rock, OXES

Listen: “The Crystal Cat” by Dan Deacon

See a Show Here: Sonar.

• Posted in Remix