Atlanta's Thriving Music Scene and Why Effort Matters
The Callous Daoboys
I’ve lived all up and down the eastern seaboard, and there’s no local music scene like Atlanta. We have bands that rival national touring acts, crowds of supporting fans, and blooming online social personalities - all combining to make a scene unparalleled by any other city I’ve lived in.
From my first show here (The Spill Canvas, 2018), I knew that Atlanta was something special. After being in Upstate NY, the Hudson Valley, Charlotte, and traveling to shows all over the Northeast, Southeast - Atlanta’s music scene felt more like home than any other.
Why?
Atlanta Has No Genre Borders
Within the first five shows I went to in Atlanta, I heard everything from indie rock, alternative rock, metalcore, and hip-hop - often, more than one genre in a show. There’s a lot of people in the Atlanta metro area, and people don’t want to see the same type of music all the time.
Everywhere else that I’ve been, the music scene has been dominated by one style of music. In Charlotte, it was all heavy bands. There were maybe one or two pop/indie bands I’d see a few times a year. In downstate New York, it was all hardcore bands. I’d never see any lighter bands play outside of cafes. It was monotonous and tiring.
When I think of Atlanta’s music scene, there’s not one defying genre. I can go to a shoegaze show, a metalcore show, and a southern grunge show and see the same people. We love music here.
“I’ve lived in L.A. and Seattle and have attended concerts and multiple venues. Nothing beats growing up near Atlanta enjoying the Masquerade and all of the underground shows.”
Atlanta Makes Connections
Left to Suffer
Most every band in Atlanta goes out of their way to meet people. They make friends and connections. Business owners know musicians, musicians know key people in their local communities, they’re all thriving on social media, throwing house parties, connecting and perfecting their craft. There are few people trying to “game the system”, and a lot of people genuinely interesting in connecting with others.
We’ve even had a few sports & video game tournaments pop up, hosted by various bands and artists. We’re all making memes about each other on Twitter and Instagram. We got a few of us trying to blow up on Tik Tok. There’s a certain realness and genuinity of the people here. There are very few rockstar attitudes, and a lot of rockstars.
Atlanta’s music scene is full of real people, and they love it here.
Sarah and the Safe Word
Why Effort Matters in a Music Scene
Long gone are the days where you’d throw a poster up on a wall somewhere to pack a room out. DIY spaces aren’t as easy to come by, and small venues all over the US seem to be closing every week to make room for luxury condos and parking lots. All of my favorite Warped Tour bands have seen considerable declines in their album sales, and nothing seems to breathe new life into it.
“The Atlanta Music scene is a MULTICULTURAL free flow of an unapologetic explosion of SOUND.”
There was a long time that people thought just having a Facebook page or sharing events would get people to show up to gigs. It wasn’t. They blamed the consumers and local scene on why no one would show up to shows.
Atlanta has made an effort. They put together strong marketing. They build a platform. The team that runs The Masquerade has shown what it means to run a truly diverse marketing platform, and their team members can be found at gigs all across the city. Their email, social media, and paid advertising is regular, curated, and easy to understand. Their marketing is on-point, and they’re a cultural staple of Atlanta.
The community’s loyalty to the local scene is more tangible here than I’ve seen at other places. Hip Hop posters are all over the city, and people are making events of shows here. It’s not just about going to see music. It’s an event to go experience and contribute to.
“I’m from Virginia and moved here 3 years ago. Atlanta has dozens of shows every night of the week, a wide range of genres at each venue, and a very solid rap and alternative rock scene. The house show community is also great. People are very welcoming to any sound and are usually very supportive of any emerging artists. Atlanta is one of the greatest places I can think of for an artist to be if they’re looking for opportunities.”
It’s not just about attendance, it’s about putting together a solid reason for people to attend and participate. Give people a reason to want to attend. Every show is packed with fans, newcomers, regulars, and staff of other venue. Nothing is forced - it’s truly an amazing place to start new bands, try new sounds, and really show your stuff.
Showcasing the Atlanta Scene
In Atlanta, there are shows constantly happening. I attend approximately 5 shows a month, and on any given date, it’s likely that I have to pick between a local show and a national tour. Back in Charlotte, even when I was in a band, I would barely go to more than one show per month, unless I was performing. By creating a strong community with a penchant for showmanship, Atlanta’s got artists like The Callous Daoboys, Maggie Schneider, and Left to Suffer making massive moves in their respective genres by selling out local shows, killing the social media game, and participating.
The Big Gig 2020
A lot of big voices in the scene know that Atlanta is different. They make sure they showcase and promote the quality music coming out of this city. One of the newest & biggest showcases for talent in the Alternative Scene here is something called The Big Gig.
This was a chance to take a variety of bands and artists and put them in a local show that crosses genre borders and brings an opportunity to reach out to new and familiar listeners. I don’t know if you’ve seen a 600 cap venue sell out for a local show with no album releases or contest going on, but if you want to, look below.
Atlanta is different. I love it here. Check out The Masquerade’s upcoming events and you’ll probably find me.
And if you’re going to buy a ticket on Ticketmaster, sign up on Swagbucks first and download their browser plugin and get 1% extra cashback on all your Ticketmaster purchases. My Masquerade purchases get me a few free Amazon Gift Cards throughout the year through Swagbucks. It’s a helpful little lifehack for online shoppers. It all adds up!
What’s your reason for loving the Atlanta music scene? Let me know in the comments below.