The 7 Best Cities in Europe for Live Music

Live music is everyone’s favourite activity, with thousands of iconic and well-known concert halls, venues, stadiums and arenas scattered across the world. Certain cities around the world are known as the birthplaces of famous musicians and bands across the globe, giving them strong musical ties and appealing to music lovers and aficionados. Large cities like London, Paris, Berlin and Vienna offer some of the best live music scenes in the world, with musical legacies, the best venues for watching live music, bustling nightlife scenes and regular music festivals. 

Although it can be said that most major cities in Europe offer a vibrant live music scene, there are certain ones where the music scene is alive and thriving and unlike anywhere else. 

From local gigs to renowned music festivals, here are Europe’s best live music spots

7. Dublin

Dublin is the birthplace of many renowned bands and artists, such as Westlife, U2 and more, making it one of the best places to enjoy live music from both international and local artists. Dublin’s famous Temple Bar is one of the best-loved venues for live music, with live concerts from local and up-and-coming artists every day. Dublin is also a favourite concert spot for many renowned international artists, with several high-profile concert venues and arenas across the city. Take a walk through the city and you’re guaranteed to find street performers and buskers.

6. Vienna

With strong historic music ties, Vienna is one of the most renowned locations for live music in the world. Composers Beethoven and Mozart called the Austrian capital home for many years, composing some of their most significant works in the city that are still enjoyed to this day. Aside from its historic ties, Vienna also hosts a buzzing nightlife and live music scene, with dozens of bars and clubs hosting regular local concerts and live music performances across the city. With a thriving musical past and present, it’s no wonder Vienna regularly ranks highly for live music in Europe. 

5. Berlin

From international artists touring in the city, to local and up-and-coming artists performing in local bars, Berlin has a thriving live music scene. It is renowned for its nightclubs, concerts, rave and techno culture and regular performances from different artists. Berlin features a lively and somewhat unique music culture, with various genres dominating the scenes from vibrant underground bars and speakeasies. So, whether you’re looking to see a band in concert, support local bands or party and dance the night away at a rave, you can do it all and more in Berlin. 

4. Milan

With one of the most renowned opera cultures in the world, the city comes out on top for its fancy music scene. But it’s not just opera that gives Milan its reputation for live music, as the city is also known for its lively jazz bars, which also dominate the live music scene. You’ll find a lively and buzzing nightlife scene pretty much down every street in Milan, with dance clubs, bars hosting regular performances and a bustling drinking and party scene.

3. Manchester

With one of the best musical legacies and associations in the world, Manchester is certainly the place to be for all things live music. With bands like The Stone Roses, Oasis, Take That, Joy Division, The Smiths and more calling Manchester home, it’s no wonder that the city achieves international fame among live music aficionados. Aside from being the home of some of the world’s most celebrated bands, Manchester’s citywide live music scene is also widely renowned, with the Etihad Stadium, CO-OP Live and AO Arena hosting hundreds of performances and bands from across the world, as well as local bars and clubs attracting avid partygoers. 

2. Paris

Home to the Moulin Rouge and one of the world’s best jazz scenes, Paris certainly knows a thing or two about live music performances. Not only is there music of every genre being played down every street corner, but you can also expect to find numerous bars, clubs, speakeasies and arenas hosting performances from both internationally recognised and local artists. Paris is a music, culinary and fashion capital of Europe, and it certainly knows how to show locals and tourists a good time. No matter where you are in Paris, you’re bound to stumble upon a music performance or venue of some kind and make that place your new local haunt. 

1. London

Not only is London bursting at the seams with internationally recognised bands like Queen, Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Led Zeppelin and more, but it also features a buzzing citywide nightlife scene that consists of live performances by the bucket loads. London also hosts renowned annual music festivals like Wireless, BST and more, and its bars come alive at night with local bands performing new singles, DJ sets and street parties. It’s also a hub for touring artists, most of whom play in Wembley or the O2 Arena to tens of thousands of concertgoers. It’s safe to say that London is certainly the live music capital of not just the UK, but also of Europe.