Los Angeles Not In The Top 10 Cities To See Live Music
The Society of American Travel Writers recently named their top 10 best cities to see live music. The top five cities were New Orleans, New York City, Austin, Nashville and Chicago. Cities rounding out the Top 10 were Memphis, Montreal, Las Vegas, Branson and Denver. Los Angeles didn’t make the cut?? I call bullshit. The top 5 make sense. But I’d argue that LA should be ranked number 4 behind Austin. Las Vegas and Branson are laughable choices. Rock on Wayne Newton. Where’s San Francisco?
1.) New Orleans
2.) NYC
3.) Austin
4.) Nashville
5.) Chicago
6.) Memphis
7.) Montreal
8.) Las Vegas
9.) Branson
10.) Denver
September 4th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
that is some bullshit. there is soo much music from LA to the shore its ridiculous.
i say we stab em.
September 4th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I’m assuming that the writers are 50+. Who the hell do you know that goes to Branson to see live music? How about San Francisco – Warfield, Bimbo’s 365, The Fillmore, Great American Music Hall, etc.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Looks like this list leans heavily on country and jazz. Every single artist that I’ve seen in SF over the past 3+ years revels in the history and environment they find themselves in when they come to town. San Francisco has a great live music scene. There are also tons of festivals on top of all of the great venues (Outside Lands, Treasure Island, Bluegrass, Rock the Bells, Bridge School Benefit, Noise Pop, etc).
Also – Vegas? Tony, Wayne and Celine don’t really put vegas on this list.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I would rank SF at #4, LA #5 – remove Vegas and Branson. Add the Research Triangle.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Ed, I agree with you for the most part. The writers are not consistent with their choices. Does Denver have a big jazz and country scene? They are known for Red Rocks. Austin is a diverse music city, but I would say it’s primarily an indie music market. I think people hate LA for the BS they see on TV, and read in US Weekly, TMZ, Perez Hilton, etc. Los Angeles boasts the Hollywood Bowl, The Troubadour, Spaceland, El Rey, Wiltern, Echo/Echoplex, Greek Theatre, The Mint, Silverlake Lounge and many other great venues to see live music. San Francisco is a no-brainer. I would also add Seattle to the list. I’m not familiar with the music scene in Montreal.
Here’s a quote from one of the writers regarding Memphis: “Plus the ghost of old Elvis is always hanging around somewhere, munching on a fried banana and peanut butter sandwich and strumming his guitar”.
September 4th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Ha Ha Ha. The Society of American Travel Writers must be on the take.
September 4th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
I would rank the cities:
1.) Austin
2.) New York
3.) San Francisco
4.) Los Angeles
5.) New Orleans
6.) Nashville
7.) Seattle
8.) Chicago
9.) Memphis
10.) Atlanta
September 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Minneapolis should definitely be on there. Not only does it have thriving pop, punk, and metal scenes, the hip hop and jam bands are prominent. Few cities in the world boast more theaters than the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. Branson is some crap and Las Vegas? Gimme a break…
September 4th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
I forgot about Minneapolis, Atlanta and Athens, GA. Again, this list is catering to a different audience.
September 4th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
1.) NYC
2.) Austin
3.) SF
4.) Athens
5.) Los Angeles
6.) New Orleans
7.) Chicago
8.) Nashville
9.) Seattle
10.) Atlanta
September 5th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Ahem.
Those of us who live in Durham, Chapel Hill or Raleigh, North Carolina REALLY dislike being referred to as the “Research Triangle”. Anyway, right now local bands > local scene. It’s cyclical.
Holly, a long term Durhamite originally from Connecticut. You may still yank my chain by referring to me as a “Tri-Stater” rather than a “New Englander”
September 5th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hey Holly:
As long as you don’t like dook, you’re good by me.
September 6th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Hey Rollogrady –
Am I to assume you’re a tarhole? Sigh.
Yay, for, er, music blogs!
September 6th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Go Greg Paulus.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
L.A.? The real crime is that Montreal didn’t get first ranking.
September 7th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Montreal #1? Not a chance Big Ed.