Which US city has the best live music scene?

Big stages, sticky-floor clubs and festival lawns: this one is about where the music actually happens, not who has the most famous name. Hometown loyalty is allowed.

1. 1
   Nashville

   Music City, home of the Grand Ole Opry and honky-tonks that run live music from noon to closing.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Austin

   The self-styled Live Music Capital of the World, host of SXSW and Austin City Limits.
   731pts
3. 3
   Philadelphia

   Philly soul, a strong indie and jazz scene, and venues like the Electric Factory and Union Transfer.
   656pts
4. 4
   San Francisco

   Psychedelic-era Fillmore and Haight-Ashbury roots, still home to venues like the Fillmore and Great American Music Hall.
   568pts
5. 5
   Atlanta

   A hip-hop, R&B and soul powerhouse with venues like the Fox Theatre and Variety Playhouse.
   454pts
6. 6
   Boston

   A college-town city of rock clubs, folk rooms and the Berklee talent pipeline.
   454pts
7. 7
   New Orleans

   Birthplace of jazz, with live bands on Frenchmen Street and in every second-line parade.
   454pts
8. 8
   Minneapolis

   Prince's hometown, with First Avenue and a long indie and punk tradition.
   454pts
9. 9
   Las Vegas

   Residencies, arena shows and festivals make it a top touring stop, if a manufactured one.
   325pts
10. 10
    Detroit

    Motown, techno and garage rock all started here, and the club scene keeps going.
    324pts
11. 11
    Chicago

    Capital of electric blues, house music and a deep bench of clubs and festivals like Lollapalooza.
    324pts
12. 12
    Kansas City

    A jazz and blues town with the Blue Room and Jazz District heritage.
    324pts
13. 13
    Memphis

    Home of Sun Studio, Stax and Beale Street, where blues and rock 'n' roll took shape.
    245pts
14. 14
    Los Angeles

    A huge live circuit of the Hollywood Bowl, the Troubadour and the Sunset Strip.
    245pts
15. 15
    Denver

    Red Rocks Amphitheatre makes it one of the best concert destinations in the country.
    245pts
16. 16
    Milwaukee

    Home of Summerfest, the huge lakefront festival, plus the Pabst Theater and a lively club circuit.
    245pts
17. 17
    Seattle

    The grunge birthplace, still packed with club shows and the Sasquatch-era festival scene.
    151pts
18. 18
    New York City

    The densest concert calendar in the country, from Carnegie Hall to CBGB-era punk rooms and jazz cellars.
    151pts

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