Sound Seekers Almanac

Trips that explore our passions, such as culture, music, and food holidays, are extremely popular. For example, music lovers may spend their holiday seeing their favourite band, visiting a niche music venue, or exploring historic locations that inspired their favourite artists. 

While everyone has a passion they enjoy in their spare time, perhaps the most common is enjoying music. Music is special because it can be enjoyed by anyone, with tastes varying across cultures, nationalities and backgrounds.

With this in mind, the experts at Journeyscape have analysed multiple factors to reveal some of the top locations for music lovers in Canada and the United States.

The best cities for music lovers in the United States

Los Angeles is the best US city for music lovers

Los Angeles Score: 7.97/10

Los Angeles is the top US city for music lovers, scoring 7.97 out of 10. Known mainly as a leader in the film and music industries, it is home to iconic artists, record labels, and a vibrant music scene. The city has 32 nearby music festivals annually, including Rolling Loud Cali and FireAid, hosting the likes of Rod Stewart and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Los Angeles has garnered nearly 3,000 Google searches in the past year. Frequently referenced in song lyrics (76,300 lyric mentions), it remains a must-visit destination for music enthusiasts.

Boston Score: 7.96/10

Boston ranks as the second-best US city for music lovers, scoring 7.96 out of 10. From the Boston Symphony Hall to the Orpheum Theatre, there are many contemporary venues to discover. Boston boasts a vibrant music scene and popular genres such as rock, jazz, and even classical. 

With a rich musical legacy, Boston is the birthplace of legendary bands like Aerosmith, The Pixies, and, of course, Boston. Home to institutions like Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory, it remains a cornerstone of American musical life.

Seattle Score: 7.93/10

Seattle ranks third with a score of 7.93 out of 10. Renowned for its live music scene, the city is the birthplace of grunge, a subgenre of alternative rock that combines heavy metal and punk rock. Seattle has played a huge role in the music scene and is home to globally renowned bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Most notably, one of the most famous groups of all time, Nirvana, got signed to an independent record label in Seattle after performing at the Central Saloon in the city. Thanks to these iconic bands, grunge has become a popular genre of rock music. 

Seattle is also the birthplace of legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix, considered one of the greatest guitarists in history. Music enthusiasts can explore Hendrix memorabilia at the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP).

The best cities for music lovers in Canada

Toronto is the best Canadian city for music lovers

Toronto Score: 7.57/10

Regarded as one of the best music cities in the world, Toronto tops the list with a score of 7.57 out of 10. With over 22,000 lyric mentions and more than 2,000 searches related to its music scene, Toronto is undoubtedly a powerhouse in the Canadian music industry. 

Over the last few decades, the country’s capital has produced some of the industry’s biggest stars we know and love today, from indie artists such as The Sadies to Neil Young and Joni Mitchell, who moved to Toronto to pursue her dream of becoming a folk singer. 

Vancouver Score: 7.53/10

Vancouver follows closely in second place, scoring 7.53 out of 10. The city has a thriving and diverse music scene with top venues, including BC Place, Commodore Ballroom, and Rogers Arena, where you can experience a lively music atmosphere. 

Due to its local and international talent, music lovers in Vancouver can enjoy one of its 14 nearby festivals. These range from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, a world-class event that draws jazz lovers from across the globe, to the Breakout Festival, which focuses more on hip-hop and urban music. 

Montreal   Score: 7.44/10

With a score of 7.44 out of 10, Montreal is one of Canada’s top three cities for music lovers. With a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere, Montreal’s music scene is widely recognised throughout North America. Some of the city’s most iconic venues include MTELUS, Place des Arts and the Bell Centre. 

 Montreal is the home base for several influential stars, including the global pop icon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Leonard Cohen, and the Indie rock band Arcade Fire. The group rose to fame thanks to popular hits like ‘Wake Up,’ ‘The Suburbs,’ and ‘Rebellion (Lies)’ and has received many accolades, including a Grammy for Album of the Year. 

The best US cities for: 

Las Vegas, Nevada                

Concerts per 100,000 people: 386

As a global entertainment hub, it is no surprise that Las Vegas takes first place for most concerts, with 386 per 100,000 people. The city’s reputation for world-class performances makes it a magnet for live music events. Many historic performances have taken place in the city, including Elvis Presley at the International Hotel, The Beatles at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and Celine Dion’s Residency at Caesars Palace. For those looking forward to upcoming events, Shania Twain will perform at PH Live at Planet Hollywood as part of her ‘Come on Over’ residency. 

Asheville, North Carolina                

Music venues per 100,000 people: 23

With 23 music venues per 100,000 people, Asheville tops the list. With a huge number of music venues for a city its size, it is a hotspot for live performances, from large auditoriums to intimate spaces. Popular locations like The Thomas Wolfe Auditorium host the nation’s top performers, from Bon Iver to Nick Cave, while the famous venue The Orange Peel has showcased past performances by Bob Dylan and Black Keys. Smaller venues like The Grey Eagle and Asheville Music Hall are perfect for indie, folk, and acoustic performances.

Fort Worth, Texas                            

Number of lyric mentions: 338,000

Fort Worth is the US city with the most lyric mentions, 338,000. Thanks to its cowboy culture, the city’s cultural roots are tied mainly to country and Western music. Some globally recognised songs about the city include ‘Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?’  by George Strait, ‘Was Fort Worth Worth It?’ by Corb Lund, and ‘Fort Worth Blues’ by Steve Earle. 

New York City, New York                                  

Festivals within 150 miles: 33

With approximately 33 festivals within 150 miles, New York City has the most nearby music festivals. Thanks to its large global presence, cultural diversity, and vibrant communities, various reputable festivals attract people from across the globe. Some major multi-genre music festivals within the city include the Blue Note Jazz Festival and SummerStage in Central Park, a city-wide festival featuring genres ranging from jazz and hip-hop to Latin and indie rock.

Well-known music venues in New York include Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, both of which have hosted legendary artists such as Frank Sinatra, Elton John, Diana Ross, and Paul McCartney. 

Austin, Texas                                

Music scene searches: 11,420

Austin has the most music scene searches, with over 11,000 Google searches. Nicknamed ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ it’s no wonder it comes out on top. The city has an abundance of music venues, such as The Continental Club, known for its retro vibes and iconic performances, and Antone’s Nightclub, a historic blues venue where legend Stevie Ray Vaughan performed on multiple occasions. Austin also has popular festivals like South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival. As a central hub for live performances, it is a must-visit destination for music lovers.

The best Canadian cities for:

Quebec City & Trois-Rivières, Québec          

Concerts per 100,000 people: 28

Though relatively small in population compared to major Canadian cities, Quebec City and Trois-Rivières, Quebec, take joint first place for the most concerts per 100,000 people. Both cities have strong French influences, shedding more light on French-Canadian culture. From the Centre des Arts de Shawinigan to Grand Théâtre de Québec, which has hosted the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, known for hits like ‘If You Could Read My Mind.’ Both cities have some iconic and historic venues for music lovers to explore.

St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador                

Music venues per 100,000 people: 8.62

Having an estimated 8.62 music venues per 100,000 people, St. John’s tops the list. With a long tradition of folk, Celtic, and maritime music reflecting its Irish and Scottish heritage, it is no stranger to the music scene. George Street is a must-visit location for music lovers looking to experience the city’s electric music atmosphere. Top venues to visit on George Street include O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub, for traditional Newfoundland music and lively performances and The Rock House, a hotspot for rock and alternative music.

Toronto, Ontario                      

Number of lyric mentions: 22,100

Toronto has the most lyric mentions in songs, with 22,100. The popular city is a prominent reference in song lyrics worldwide due to its global presence, urban life, and culture. The city has a major influence on the music industry, seen in many well-known songs like The Weeknd’s ‘King of the Fall.’ As one of Toronto’s most famous artists, Drake references the city as ‘The 6’, a nickname derived from its area codes. One major hit is ‘Know Yourself’, which includes the famous line ‘running through the 6 with my woes.’

Kitchener, Ontario                                                  

Festivals within 150 miles: 19

Thanks to its central location in Ontario, Kitchener has the highest number of nearby festivals, 19 within 150 miles. Kitchener embraces diverse genres and cultures, allowing for a thriving festival scene. Some popular music festivals in the city are the Kitchener Blues Festival, one of Canada’s largest blues festivals, the Wayback Festival, and the Sun Life Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival. 

Toronto, Ontario                        

Music scene searches: 2,060

As Canada’s biggest music hub, it’s no surprise that Toronto has grabbed the top spot with the most music scene searches, with approximately 2,060. The city boasts world-renowned concert halls, such as Massey Hall, considered “Canada’s Carnegie Hall,” and large arenas like Scotiabank Arena. It also houses The Danforth Music Hall, one of the top live music venues in the city. Toronto also hosts major festivals like North by Northeast (NXNE), VELD Music Festival and Caribana, which attracts music lovers and artists worldwide. 

Methodology 

We wanted to reveal the best destinations for music lovers visiting the United States and Canada. To do this, we first created lists of the cities in each country known for their music scene using sources such as Fifty Grande. We also included some of the largest cities in each country that were missed in these articles.

We then collected the data across the following factors for each city:

The number of music venues, according to Yelp, normalised against populations to a rate per 100,000 people.

The number of concerts, according to Songkick, normalised against populations to a rate per 100,000 people.

The number of times each city was mentioned in song lyrics, according to Chosic. This data was filtered to “Exact match search” and “Do not search in titles”. 

The number of nearby festivals, according to Music Festival Wizard. 

The number of searches for each city’s music scene over the past 12 months, according to Google Keyword Planner. 

We then combined these factors into a single equally weighted score. This score was calculated separately for cities in each country and used to reveal the best destinations for music lovers.

Population data for US cities was taken from the United States Census Bureau, while population data for Canadian cities’ metropolitan areas was taken from City Population.

The number of concerts in the San Francisco Bay Area was used for San Francisco and was normalised against the population of the nine Bay Area counties, using data from the State of California Department of Finance.

All information was compiled by Journeyscape.