Seattle is a city known for dancing to its own beat. From festivals to live music venues and clubs, visitors to the Emerald City are spoilt for choice when it comes to enjoying live music. The live music scene in Seattle caters to lovers of different genres of music. It also features artists born and bred in Seattle as well as those from other parts of the country and beyond. The live music Seattle scene has changed over the years with the curtain falling on many live music venues and events. Some of these venues have risen from the ashes and new venues have been established. Below, we take a dive into Seattle’s live music scene and offer you tips on how to get the best out of it.

Get a taste of the past

Want to experience how the live music Seattle scene has changed over the years? There’s no better place to start than with the Museum of Pop Culture. This building features a unique architectural design with a futuristic façade. Many visitors to the Museum come not just to explore the musical history of the city but also enjoy breathtaking unique design that is the city’s pride and joy. Within the building you’ll find galleries dedicated to various genres of music and pop culture including sci-fi animations and cult movies. The museum is also home to Sky Church. This is a concert venue that features the largest LED display in the world. It’s the perfect place to get a taste of what it feels like to be on stage with thousands of adoring fans.

Check out the local music festivals

Seattle is known for its vibrant music festivals. The city plays host to various music festivals throughout the year. These include Capitol Hill Block Party, Bumbershoot and Upstream Music Fest. These events feature an array of both local and international artists. They are not only a great way to experience diverse music genres live but also experience the culture and spirit of the city.

It doesn’t matter what time of the year you visit the city, you’re sure to catch at least one festival. The Bumbershoot arts festival is one of the biggest festivals in the city and is held in September. If you’re visiting in July, you can look forward to the Capitol Hill Block Party. If you’ll be in Seattle in March, the Freakout festival is worth checking out.

Check out the best live music venues Seattle has to offer

If music festivals aren’t for you and you’re looking for something less crowded and a little more intimate, you’ll be glad to know that Seattle offers a wide variety of live music venues. In fact the live music bar Seattle venues have played a significant role in promoting the growth of music in the city through the years. These music venues give you the opportunity to get up close and personal with both local and national artists. Some of the best live music bar Seattle venues such as Barboza and Neumos have been known to play host to international musicians. These venues are often chosen as the Launchpad for touring artists.

Barboza is an intimate bar that plays host to a wide range of live performances. These include live bands as well as DJs. You can enjoy live music along with a cocktail to get your blood pumping. Fried chicken is served at the venue in case you need to refuel your energy.

Try different genres of music

We started out this post by saying that Seattle is a city known for dancing to its own beat and it's true. Seattle has its own unique sound. Its music scene is incredibly diverse. If you’re open to exploring different genres of music, Seattle is the perfect place to do so. You may even discover a new favorite band or artist in a genre that you’ve never considered before. Live music venues such as Neumos and Barboza are known for hosting artists in a variety of genres. They’re the perfect place to begin your exploration of music.

The key to fully enjoying Seattle’s live music scene is staying curious and being flexible. Be open to new experiences and try out the tips we’ve shared above.