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Live Music

Join the ummistakable music scene that is Lawrence.

Public Enemy at Free State Festival

This is the place where Nirvana & Green Day played in a small, standing-room-only shack. This is the place where Janelle Monae packed in her hometown crowd. George Clinton has funked up our streets and we “fought the power” with Public Enemy in huge, outdoor concerts. Up-and-coming local bands like Taryn Blake Miller’s “Your Friend”? Check. Concerts by global classic sensations such as Yo Yo Ma or Joshua Bell? We got it. A gathering of the world’s best young pianists with free concerts? It’s here. We often get the big acts before they’re big… ever heard of The Chainsmokers? Live Music Capital of Kansas… we think so!

Keep an eye on this blog for shows you just can’t miss!

Local musicians conquered the pandemic with covers

We passed the year mark of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that means a year without concerts, live entertainment, and stage performances. It also means that local musicians now have a year’s worth of virtual performance experiences under their belts. Not only did they get the chance to explore other opportunities of their art, but they’ve Read More …

Posted in Live Music | Tagged CS Luxem, I Heart Local Music, Katlyn Conroy, music, nick carswell, The King Sisters | Leave a comment

Five music videos to get you through the last push of the pandemic

Gosh, the finish line is in sight, isn’t it? We’re in unfamiliar territory right now, that space where we can see the future, but can’t yet touch it. What’s a music fan to do? Well, you can hunker down for a few more weeks until live shows return, and tune in to a few music Read More …

Posted in Live Music | Tagged Carswell & Hope, Chess Club, cuee, Elexa Dawson, I Heart Local Music, Jenna Rae, Martin Farrell Jr., music, nick carswell | Leave a comment

Five Lawrence musicians to watch in 2021

It feels like we’re finally in a position to start looking ahead. Vaccines are already rolling out in Lawrence, venues are starting to get some assistance from a relief bill, and we’re already eagerly putting together a potential concert calendar. It’ll take a while to see touring bands come back to our stages, but we Read More …

Posted in Live Music | Tagged cuee, I Heart Local Music, Jenna Rae, Lily B Moonflower, megan luttrell, music, Thighmaster | Leave a comment

Live Music Events


The Venues

Built in the 1930′s as a silent movie theater and showing movies up through the 1980′s, the Granada has now been hosting live acts for almost 20 years. Featuring national and international touring acts, the Granada has hosted noteworthy and award-winning performers, including M83, The GetUp Kids, Ben Folds, Flaming Lips, Weezer, Henry Rollins, Pat Green, G-Love & Special Sauce, Marilyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, Rusted Root, John Mayer and many more. You’ll find it right on Massachusetts Street, between 10th and 11th.

And there’s more music playing.  Check out the calendar at the Replay Lounge. The Replay features pinball, recorded and live music, along with grill and deli sandwiches and drinks. Don’t miss Sunday Matinee shows when they open their large patio for evening shows, from folk to psychedelic.

Climb the stairs to the Jazzhaus where their motto is: Work Hard, Play Hard, Sleep Later and Love Life. Can’t beat that! This nightclub has been a Lawrence institution since 1982, offering live music, dancing and drink specials. One room offers a stage and room for dancing. A small adjoining lounge area features mood lighting, overstuffed couches, and a more intimate setting, while there is also an outside deck off the back.

Radiohead, The Flaming Lips, the Pixies, Wilco, Chief Keef are just a few of the long list of acts that have played at The Bottleneck. With a 350-capacity, its big enough to get lost in the crowd, yet cozy enough to feel like you can hang with the band.

Head inside the tiny Gaslight Gardens for the beer; go back outside for the party. On a pretty regular basis, the Gaslight hosts evening patio shows with bluegrass, jazz, and even punk bands taking the outdoor stage. Located in North Lawrence, it’s an alternative to the main bar scene downtown and the perfect warm summer night hangout.

You could overlook it, but locals beat a trail to the Eighth Street Taproom, 801 New Hampshire St. Upstairs, it’s a normal beloved pub. But the downstairs section’s low-ceilinged, red-lit basement is a heralded underground music scene.

The Lied Center of Kansas on KU’s west campus offers something for everyone, including the best of Broadway, symphony orchestra, dance, music, theatre, and family programs.

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  • Unmistakably Lawrence
  • Explore
    • Stay
    • Experiences
      • Agri-Tourism
      • Arts & Culture
      • Basketball
        • Famous Basketball Sites
      • Foodies
        • No Free Lunches
      • Supernatural Lawrence
        • Historic Cemeteries
      • History & Heritage
        • Basketball
        • Block-by-Block
        • Historic Sites of Douglas County
        • Historic Trails
        • Lawrence Pioneers
        • Native American Heritage
        • Self-Guided Tours
        • The Struggle for Freedom
      • Kiddos
      • Live Music
      • Sports/Recreation
      • Wellness
    • Eat
      • Daily Deals
    • Shop
    • See
    • Play
      • Unmistakable Events
      • Local Fav’s
      • Visitor Fav’s
      • Day Trips
      • Social Lounge
    • Visit
      • Getting Here & Around
      • Neighborhoods
        • Downtown
        • KU Campus
        • West Lawrence
        • East Lawrence
        • North Lawrence
        • South Lawrence
      • Parking
      • Self-Guided Tours
        • Famous Basketball Sites
        • Historic Cemeteries
        • Historic Sites of Quantrill’s Raid
        • Explore Mass Street
      • Weather
      • Visitors Center
      • Visitors Guide
      • E-Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Meet
    • Meetings & Events
      • Why Lawrence?
      • University Events
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      • Submit RFP
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