If you ask an outsider what kind of music they’d expect to hear in Dallas, they’d probably answer “country.” But not everyone in the area was born to wear a Stetson hat and cowboy boots. While country does play a vital role in the Dallas music scene, it’s important to remember that there’s a lot more going on in this vibrant city! If you look a little closer, you’ll find all kinds of music around town.
Dallas Music Festivals
If you want to hear some bands or musicians playing something other than country music, one of the best places to start is to hit up a local music festival. The smaller festivals around town generally focus on local bands, but a number have larger acts from all across the globe. Here are just a handful of the annual festivals that are part of the Dallas music scene:
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Meltdown Music Festival: If you’re hip to the electronic beats, you’ll love Meltdown. Previous acts who have performed at this festival include Flux Pavilion, Delta Heavy, and Carnage.
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Homegrown: Once an all-local affair, this music and arts festival held in downtown Dallas has expanded to include bands and artists who are tied to the entire state of Texas. You’ll find a roster mostly made up of indie and alternative bands, such as The Polyphonic Spree, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, and Toadies.
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Warped Tour: The Warped Tour festival stops in Dallas each year, hosting a full day of all your favorite punk and metal bands. Acts who have played this festival include Pennywise, NOFX, My Chemical Romance, and Rise Against.
Music Venues
If you’re looking to branch out from country music, you’ll need to know the best venues to hear music from other genres. The Dallas music scene is definitely thriving, so you’ll always find something going on at one of these spots:
Trees: Located in Deep Ellum, Trees is a 600-capacity venue that has hosted many great bands. Over the years, it has played host to many big-name acts, such as Nirvana, Radiohead, and Deftones, while they were on their way to the top. It mostly features rock, metal, and alternative bands.
Meyerson Symphony Center: Fans of classical music might like to take a trip to the Meyerson Symphony Center, where you can enjoy performances from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and occasionally other local cultural and musical groups.
Harwood 609: This is one of the best places in the city to hear live jazz. It’s a restaurant, as well as a music venue, so if you want to enjoy a little dinner with your music, then this is a fantastic place to check out!
Getting Up-to-Date Info
To find out the latest in Dallas music news, the best way to stay up-to-date is online. In this tech age, you’re more likely to find gig listings on Facebook or Twitter than on fliers. Be sure to “Like” or “Follow” the social media accounts of your favorite bands, performers, and venues to keep up with what’s happening in the Dallas music scene. Local websites, such as the Dallas Observer, have up-to-date listings for shows and concerts in the area. If you prefer to do things “old school,” there are still shops, bars, and venues where you might be able to find fliers for upcoming shows or even get some word-of-mouth recommendations. Try punk bars, such as Double Wide, or alternative clothing stores, like Buffalo Exchange.
As you can see, there’s much more to music in Dallas than country. So get out there, see some shows, and support your local music scene. Have fun!
Photo by giovanni .
Megan L.