music city
Music is an important part of our lives, and it can also be an important aspect of our travel experience. There may be fewer summer festivals, but that doesn’t mean there’s no reason to start planning your next vacation around music. Here, we introduce eight must-see places in the world for every music lover, from bucket list venues and music-themed attractions to the most iconic festivals.
Bucket List Venues
Red Rock Park and Amphitheater, Colorado
At 6,450 feet above sea level on the outskirts of Denver, Red Rock Park and Amphitheater is a geological marvel located in a unique location where the Great Plains and the Rocky Mountains meet. It is the only naturally occurring, acoustically perfect amphitheater in the world. Since its grand opening as a venue in 1941, Red Rocks has attracted well-known musicians, including The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross. In addition to concerts and festivals, Red Rocks hosts yoga classes and film screenings during the summer. www.colorado.com
Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles
As long as there’s been a LA rock scene, there’s been Whiskey A Go-Go. It’s one of the most iconic music venues in the world, and since it opened on Sunset Boulevard in 1964, it’s hosted rock’s most important bands, from the Doors, Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin to today’s up-and-coming new artists. www.visitcalifornia.com
Music Themed Attractions
Museum of Pop Culture, Seattle
As the birthplace of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Jimi Hendrix, and more, Seattle’s musical heritage is known around the world. There’s no better place to celebrate the music industry than the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP). Designed by Frank Gehry, the quirky, colorful building is said to represent the energy and fluidity of music, best viewed from the top of the Space Needle. Inside, there are permanent exhibitions of the aforementioned musicians, a guitar gallery featuring instruments from artists like Slash and Dave Grohl, and a sound lab where visitors can make their own music.Visit Seattle
Iconic Music Festival
Yosemite Jazz Train, Yosemite Mariposa County
Sugar Pine Railroad is currently hosting the Yosemite Jazz Train event, where Grammy-nominated artists will perform live music. These events have been taking place on select Sundays at 3pm since May and continue through October. Guests can experience intimate performances with headline artists including: Acoustic guitarist Pete White on September 25, trumpeter, composer and producer Rick Braun on October 2, guitarist Steve Oliver and keyboards Hand, composer and producer Brian Simpson will perform together on October 9th. Tickets are £103 for adults and £62 for children. www.yosemite.com
Aftershock Festival, Sacramento
Aftershock is the largest hard rock festival on the West Coast, attracting music lovers from all over the world. Aftershock will bring top metal bands to Discovery Park this fall for four days from October 6-9, 2022, including Slipknot, My Chemical Romance, Kiss, Muse, Rob Zombie and more. Tickets from £140. www.visitsacramento.com
Stagecoach Country Music Festival 2023, Greater Palm Springs
California’s country music festival Stagecoach brings country music and the culture that comes with it to the world. The hotel’s iconic location at the Indio Empire Polo Club is surrounded by towering palm trees and mountains towering over the valley. Every summer, some of the biggest names in country music and up-and-coming stars take to the stage, and previous lineups have hosted the likes of Shania Twain and Tim McGraw. On the festival grounds, look for celebrity chef demos, honky tonk dance classes, clothing markets and amusement parks to fully immerse yourself in the county experience. Return April 28-30, 2023. www.visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
Outloud Music Festival – WEHO Pride, West Hollywood
The Pride celebration kicks off with Outloud Music Festival, an award-winning three-day event that promotes love, inclusion and acceptance. Held every summer since 2020 at the park in West Hollywood, the festival is a high-energy concert that introduces and celebrates LGBTQ+ artists. Visitors can enjoy a burst of Pride month on the main stage with performances from world-class and up-and-coming artists, with last year’s lineup including Jessie J, Years & Years and Madison Beer. Elsewhere in the park, artist interviews will be streamed live via Twitch, as well as an extensive selection of street food in the beer and cocktail gardens. 2023 date to be determined. www.visitwesthollywood.com
Fuji Rock Festival in Japan
One of the most well-known and widely known music festivals in Japan, the Fuji Rock Festival is a three-day summer event that invites international artists from all genres (despite “rock” in the title). Previous performances include The Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Morrissey. Located in the great outdoors at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata Prefecture and surrounded by popular ski hills, the festival attracts over 100,000 visitors each year and offers numerous package deals with local hotels. 2023 date to be determined. www.japan.travel/en/uk/
Learn more about TravelSecrets.com
