Top 20 Greatest Music Cities in the World
#20: Montreal, Canada
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If you dream of European nightlife but live in North America, this Canadian city is the next best thing. Montreal is a festival city and the crowning jewel of its calendar is the Montreal Jazz Fest. Bringing together thousands of artists from around the world, it’s the world's largest jazz festival. The outdoor concerts can all be enjoyed for free, often attracting crowds of 100,000 to 200,000 people. A few months later in the Fall, there’s Pop Montreal, a veritable who's who of trendy artists from across the spectrum of popular music. Montreal also remains the go-to city in eastern Canada when it comes to local music scenes.
#19: Chengdu, China
Chengdu is often overshadowed by the likes of Beijing or Hong Kong, but the city has distinguished itself as the epicenter of Chinese hip hop. Though it’s historically been best known for its giant pandas and teahouses, Chengdu appeared on the hip hop world map in the mid to late 2010s thanks to breakout artists like the Higher Brothers, TY. and J.MAG The beating heart of this explosive scene has been the collective Chengdu Rap House (or CDC). The trap music coming out of Chengdu isn’t just defining Chinese rap, but influencing other international scenes.
#18: Brazzaville, Congo
Brazzaville is largely overlooked by the global travel community. When tourists book flights to Congo, the priority is almost always the national parks, with the city being little more than a point of entry. But Brazzaville should be a destination in its own right. In 2013, it was named a City of Music by UNESCO, and it’s slowly but surely been increasing its profile ever since. Brazzaville’s musical roots run deep. The city was defined by its music scene for decades; it was the birthplace of the Congolese rumba! Sadly, in the ‘90s, conflict in the area overshadowed all else. Now a member of Creative Cities Network, however, Brazzaville hosts the Pan-African Music Festival and many other musical events.
#17: Bogotá, Colombia
The capital and largest city of Colombia, Bogotá is a vibrant metropolis unlike any other. Its modern skyline stands in stark contrast to the surrounding hills and mountains, making the city feel like a cultural oasis of sorts. And this oasis has got a soundtrack that can’t be beat. Colombia is very much a musical nation; you don’t get labelled “the land of a thousand rhythms" unless music is fundamental to your cultural identity. Nowhere, however, is the musical expression more concentrated or omnipresent than in Bogotá, which plays host to approximately 60 annual music festivals and is home to over 400 music venues. Whether you’re interested in salsa, rock, pop music, EDM, hip hop, gospel or anything in between, Bogotá will satisfy.
#16: Toronto, Canada
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When it comes to the heavy-hitters of Canadian music, Toronto is the place to be. Canada’s economic hub and most populated city, it’s been the launchpad for the country’s most internationally-successful artists, including Drake and The Weeknd. Add to that names like Tory Lanez and Nav, and Toronto more than earns its reputation as the Canadian epicenter of hip hop. But Toronto knows how to produce and promote musicians operating in all genres. It’s given us indie/alternative darlings like Metric and Broken Social Scene; punk, hardcore and metal acts like Cancer Bats, METZ and Anvil; and a not so little rock band by the name of Rush. With so much clout in the industry, Toronto remains the place to discover the next big up-and-coming Canadian act.
#15: Melbourne, Australia
Australia’s undisputed capital of cool, Melbourne often feels like it's exclusively populated by young creatives, entrepreneurs, and musicians. Whatever’s currently on-trend, from coffee and food to fashion and lifestyle, you can bet that Melbourne is ahead of the curve. And it’s got a music scene to match! In 2018, it was named the live music capital of the world with more venues per capita than any other city. Add to that the fact that it also ranks amongst the most livable cities on earth and Melbourne begins to sound like the perfect getaway for any music lover. The city has given us musical acts like Gotye, Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue, but it’s the local acts that really make Melbourne such a pleasure to explore.
#14: Shanghai, China
Chengdu might be the beating heart of chinese hip hop, but Shanghai fires on all cylinders across a wide variety of genres. Historically, Shanghai first embraced a more international sound beginning in the 1920s when jazz caught the ear of locals. The city continues to be a destination for jazz lovers today, but each generation of musicians has brought something new to Shanghai’s musical landscape. Currently, electronic music is the city’s most exciting musical frontier. If you want to dance the night away to a world-class EDM act, you’ll be spoilt for choice. What makes Shanghai’s electronic music scene so exciting, however, is the wide variety of niche subgenres that are represented. For more fringe, underground music, Beijing is another must-visit city.
#13: Manchester, United Kingdom
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As the UK’s second-largest urban area, Manchester certainly has a lot of talent to pull from. Even so, the sheer number of acclaimed musical acts that the city has produced over the years is astounding. Beginning in the 1960s, Manchester has contributed influential groups and artists to seemingly every major musical style and movement. In the 1960s, they gave us a little group called the Bee Gees. When rock music gave way to the rise of punk, post-punk and new wave, Manchester gave the world musical revelations like Joy Division, New Order and The Smiths. Then, in the late ‘80s to early ‘90s, Manchester played host to a drug-fueled genre-bending scene dubbed “madchester”. The city continues to produce innovative acts to this day.
#12: Varanasi, India
Located on the banks of the River Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi is another city that might not be an obvious choice. In terms of population, it doesn’t even crack the top 30 cities in India. Varanasi more than makes up the difference, however, with spirituality and music. For those with an interest in Hinduism, this is among the most sacred places in the world. And given that music is such a crucial aspect of Hindu worship, it’s perhaps not surprising that Varanasi has long been singled out as producing some of the country’s best musicians, including Ravi Shankar. The musical traditions of this UNESCO City of Music date back to ancient times. Goa and Kolkata are also well-worth a visit for music lovers.
#11: Seoul, South Korea
SM Seoul
The future of the music industry belongs to K-pop; everyone else is just trying to keep up! Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but K-pop’s influence and international spread cannot be overstated. Incorporating elements of popular music from a wide variety of genres including hip hop, R&B, western pop, rock, gospel, electronic dance music and more, K-pop is at once universally familiar but also utterly unique. And while acts like BTS and Blackpink have attracted fans around the globe, Seoul firmly remains the center of the K-pop universe. The thing is, Seoul’s musical landscape extends way beyond K-pop. Rock, punk, metal, electronic, R&B - all of the above have their own thriving scenes.
#10: Bologna, Italy
If you’re looking for great live music… follow the students! As a general rule, college towns and university cities tend to have solid music scenes. Not only do student populations have a huge appetite for music, but most aspiring musicians begin to make a name for themselves in their late teens and twenties. Bologna is home to the oldest surviving university in the world and its cultural identity has been intertwined with music for centuries. The young, progressive student body continues to bring new and exciting musical trends to the city with each successive generation. But Bologna is also known for its more traditional genres like opera, jazz and folk. It was named a UNESCO City of Music in 2006.
#9: Johannesburg, South Africa
Better known as Joburg to locals, South Africa’s largest city can be overwhelming the first time you visit. Each neighborhood feels utterly distinct, and with Johannesburg being among the world’s fifty largest cities, that’s a lot of variety. As you navigate the city, however, one constant is the music. It fills the streets and seems to be playing out of every home and car window. Over the years, Johannesburg has most commonly been associated with mbaqanga, kwaito, South Afrian jazz, and house music, but it’s equally produced some great alternative rock groups. In the 1980s, it was also the heart of South Africa’s distinctive pop music wave, known as Bubblegum. Today, the city is an eclectic mix of musical scenes and boasts a diverse calendar of music festivals and events.
#8: Austin, United States
The U.S. is a nation of music-loving cities. On the east coast, New York City has given us such icons as Jay-Z, the Notorious B.I.G., the Ramones, the Talking Heads, The Velvet Underground, Billy Joel and the Strokes. Over on the West Coast, Los Angeles is widely considered THE place for aspiring artists looking to be discovered. And yet, it’s this self-proclaimed “weird” city in the south central United States that most people consider to be the live music capital of the United States - if not the world! In it’s never ending quest to “Keep Austin Weird”, the city has developed a diverse music scene that encompasses over 100 concerts or musical events on any given night.
#7: Vienna, Austria
Austria’s capital city might not be producing hit rappers or pop stars, but it maintains its title as THE European destination for classical music. It could coast on the simple fact that it gave the world Johann Strauss and Franz Schubert. But Vienna’s prominence as a capital of culture also made it a second home for the likes of Mozart and Beethoven, amongst numerous other famous composers. The city was so central to popular music in the 18th and 19th centuries that the time between 1730 and 1820 is often called the Viennese Classical Period. While Vienna might not have the monopoly on talent that it once did, it remains a mecca for classical music lovers, with numerous venues and events dedicated to bygone composers.
#6: Detroit, United States
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A city defined by its hard luck stories and can-do attitude, Detroit played a pivotal role in shaping American music as we know it today. It’s also a living reminder of the fact that the popular sound in the U.S. has consistently been pioneered and popularized by Black artists. In the 1930s and 40s, the city played host to many of the world’s most celebrated jazz and blues acts. Detroit is also hometown Motown Records, a label that dominated the charts and airways in the ‘60s with its pop-soul music. Add to that the countless iconic rock bands to come out of Detroit and the city more than earns its spot here. The only box it doesn’t check? Grunge. For that, you’ve gotta go to Seattle.
#5: Berlin, Germany
Germany’s capital city can often feel like one big ball of contradictions. Known for its cleanliness, architecture and commitment to the arts, it often presents as the height of refinement. Musically speaking, the Berlin Opera and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - both of which are world-renowned - certainly fit with this reputation. But Berlin is a city of dual identities, and when the clock strikes midnight, it strips off its finery and revels in a world of underground raves and dance clubs. Its status as a world class techno city has been maintained for decades now. It’s this duality that makes Berlin so special. That being said, both Leipzig and Hannover have also distinguished themselves as musical cities of note.
#4: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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When it comes to music, this city’s reputation precedes it. But while the music, dancing and festivities of Carnival attract millions of people, the party doesn’t end with the celebration. As is the case throughout Brasil, samba music is omnipresent when navigating the beautifully chaotic streets of Rio De Janeiro, and this rapid-fire rhythm is utterly infectious. Other popular genres of music that define the soundscape of Rio de Janeiro include house music, hip hop, and soul. Here, however, each of the aforementioned styles gets reinterpreted by local musicians, who infuse them with more traditional Brazilian elements. Rio is known for its epic nightlife, so while you might feel overwhelmed at first, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to get familiar with the city’s soundtrack.
#3: Havana, Cuba
In the city of Havana, new and old blend together to make something that, culturally speaking, feels totally unique and timeless. Cuba’s capital is a musical city through and through. Blending the musical traditions of Spain and Africa, the music of Havana is at once extremely danceable and soothing. Arguably, the city - and the country’s - greatest contribution to modern music is the Buena Vista Social Club. This group of musicians came together in the mid-1990s with the goal of revitalizing the pre-revolutionary music of Cuba; they succeeded. Music is an intrinsic part of life in Cuba and it always has been, even in times of conflict and strife. After spending time in Havana, you’ll walk away with a new appreciation for the power of song.
#2: Nashville, United States
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Los Angeles might be where aspiring popstars head in hopes of making it big, but for those with a country twang, Nashville is the center of the universe. Often referred to simply as “Music City”, Nashville’s music industry can trace its roots all the way back to the 1800s. Today, it’s most closely associated with country music, but it also played host to the likes of Otis Redding, and Etta James - who recorded albums at the New Era Club. Between institutions like the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame, the city certainly has a musical wow factor. If classic American rock n roll is more your speed, Tennessee’s other music city, Memphis, makes for another great stop on an American music road trip. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Paris, France Home to Great Composers & Jazz Legends Alike Tokyo, Japan This City’s Adventurous Youth Are on the Cutting Edge of Every Genre New Orleans, United States Tourist Traps Be Damned, This City Still Eats, Sleeps & Drinks Jazz Cairo,Egypt It’s Home to the Oldest Music Industry in the Middle East, But Continues to Innovate Kingston, Jamaica Where Dancehall & Reggae Serve as a Soundtrack to the City
#1: London, United Kingdom
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Once considered the center of the Western world, London’s contributions to music history are difficult to overstate. And to this day, it continues to be a trendsetter, industry powerhouse and major player in the world of popular music. Because it's long been the cultural center of England, even bands that technically started elsewhere, like the Beatles, inevitably came to be associated with London over the course of their careers. London has given us arguably more popular rock acts than any other city, including: David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and the Who. Add to that the Sex Pistols, Billy Idol, the Psychedelic Furs, Adele, Iron Maiden, Bastille, the Spice Girls and Amy Winehouse, and you’ve got a city with an unparalleled musical legacy.
