For those who bring a musical heart and soul everywhere they go, there’s no better reason to travel than to explore the world of music. You’ll find plenty of singing, swinging, and dancing in these four best cities for live music in the world.
Havana, Cuba
Havana ranks as one of the best cities for live music due to its diversity alone. Generations of migrants and slaves landed in Cuba’s capital city, each bringing along a rich musical culture. Whether in a club, in a café, or simply walking down the street, you’re likely to be treated to the mingling of Cuban jazz, Spanish guitars, African rhythms, and habanera – sometimes all in the same performance.
You don’t need to go far to find music and dancing peppered throughout the entire city. Those looking for a major musical experience can head to the Old Town of Havana, or La Habana Vieja.
Dublin, Ireland
Enjoying the traditional music of Ireland is as easy as walking into any Dublin pub, with the greatest concentration of music found in the city’s cultural center of Temple Bar. You’ll typically find a band on stage or buskers in the crowd, with music and dancing part of the scene from opening to close.
One of the liveliest pubs for live music is Oliver St. John Gogartys, with O’Donoghue’s or the Cobblestone as other options. The annual Temple Bar Trad Fest is another way to get your fill of fiddles, flutes, and Uilleann pipes that make up traditional Irish music.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Bossa nova is one of the most prominent traditional musical genres in Rio de Janeiro, but it’s certainly not the only one. In addition to bossa nova’s upbeat blend of samba and jazz, you’ll also run across the Brazilian beats of African-inspired samba and the peppy, instrumental genre of choro. Many Rio clubs kick off their regular musical parties around 11 p.m., with dancing that lasts until the early hours of the morning.
Bip Bip is an ideal location to enjoy well-known locals playing traditional Brazilian music, while Carioca da Gema features a samba and chorniho lineup six days a week.
Brazzaville, The Republic of Congo
African rhythms are a major influence in traditional music around the world, and you’ll definitely get your share straight from the source with a trip to The Republic of Congo. The city of Brazzaville ranks as one of the best cities for live music, with locals turning to music as a way to teach, promote, conserve, and celebrate their culture.
Congolese rumba, also called soukous, features a hypnotic, rapid tempo that serves as the foundation for the music scene. The genre has prompted dancing throughout the country, the continent, and even the world.
Now that you know where to find the best cities for live music, all you need to do is renew your passport, obtain any needed visas, and pack your dancing shoes. Contact us with any questions – we’re here to help!
