Editorial
The Best US Cities to Live in if You Love Music: 2026 Guide
Music lovers know that the right city can make all the difference in cultivating their passion for the art. From iconic live venues to music festivals, diverse genres, and a vibrant local scene, the best music cities in the US provide a rich environment for both aspiring and established artists. Whether you’re a fan of rock, jazz, classical, hip-hop, or electronic music, these cities will help you immerse yourself in a world of sound. Here’s a guide to the top cities for music lovers in 2026.
The Best US Cities for Music Lovers
1. Nashville, Tennessee
Known as “Music City,” Nashville remains the undisputed heart of American music. Famous for its deep roots in country music, Nashville offers a dynamic mix of live performances, music history, and modern innovations. Whether you’re strolling down Broadway, where honky-tonk bars host live country music every night, or attending a concert at the iconic Ryman Auditorium, you’ll always find yourself surrounded by the sounds of talented musicians. Beyond country, Nashville embraces all genres, from indie rock to electronic, making it a must-visit for any music enthusiast.
2. Austin, Texas
Austin’s motto, “Keep Austin Weird,” is a perfect reflection of the city’s music scene. With events like South by Southwest (SXSW) attracting thousands of musicians and music lovers from around the globe, Austin has long been known as the live music capital of the world. The city’s famous Sixth Street, with its lineup of bars and live venues, plays host to a diverse range of music styles. Whether it’s blues, jazz, indie, or experimental music, Austin caters to every taste, making it an exciting place to live and explore.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is where music meets culture, history, and celebration. From the soulful sounds of jazz to the rhythms of zydeco and the eclectic fusion of hip-hop and R&B, New Orleans offers a unique experience for music lovers. The city is home to the legendary French Quarter, where street performers and musicians bring the streets to life every day. The annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is one of the biggest music events in the world, and the city’s deep musical heritage will captivate any music lover looking for a place to call home.
4. Reno, Nevada
While Las Vegas often steals the spotlight in Nevada, Reno is quickly emerging as a top city for music lovers. Reno has transformed into an exciting arts and music destination in recent years, with a growing number of live music venues, art galleries, and music festivals. The city offers a mix of intimate local performances and larger shows at venues like The Knitting Factory and Cargo Concert Hall. Moreover, Reno’s proximity to Lake Tahoe and its active outdoor lifestyle mean there’s a great range of opportunities to unwind.
For music lovers seeking an affordable yet vibrant scene, Reno is a great option to consider. If you’re thinking of moving here, check out spareroom.com for roommate options and rooms for rent. Find a spot where you can enjoy all that Reno’s music scene has to offer.
5. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago’s music scene is diverse, energetic, and historically significant. The city is home to the birth of blues, with famous venues like the House of Blues and Kingston Mines showcasing the genre’s legacy. But Chicago isn’t just about the blues — it’s also a hotspot for jazz, classical, and hip-hop. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is one of the top in the world, while the city’s thriving indie and electronic music scenes provide plenty of opportunities for music lovers to explore something new. With events like the Pitchfork Music Festival and the Chicago Blues Festival, there’s always something happening in this dynamic city.
6. Seattle, Washington
Seattle has long been known as the birthplace of grunge music, thanks to iconic bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. However, the city’s music scene is far from limited to this genre. Seattle is home to a growing indie, jazz, and electronic scene, and its live music venues—such as The Crocodile, Neumos, and the Showbox—are integral to the city’s vibrant culture. With lush parks and a laid-back vibe, Seattle provides a great mix of natural beauty and artistic energy, making it one of the best cities for creative individuals to live and work.
7. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s music scene is all about individuality and creative expression. Known for its DIY music culture, Portland supports a variety of music genres, with local artists often performing in intimate venues like the Doug Fir Lounge and Mississippi Studios. Whether you’re into indie rock, folk, punk, or hip-hop, Portland’s underground music scene offers something for everyone. The city also hosts the annual MusicfestNW, where you can catch up-and-coming acts in a laid-back, community-focused atmosphere.
8. Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is another Southern city steeped in music history. Known as the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, Memphis is home to the legendary Sun Studio, where artists like Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash recorded some of their most famous hits. The city’s Beale Street is a bustling hub of live music, where you can enjoy performances across various genres, including blues, soul, and gospel. With its vibrant musical heritage and thriving contemporary music scene, Memphis is a must for any music lover seeking an authentic and immersive experience..
Upcoming US Music Festivals 2026
If you’re a music lover looking for incredible live music experiences, 2026 promises to be a year filled with exciting festivals. Here are some of the top US music festivals to look forward to:
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (Indio, CA)
Coachella remains one of the most anticipated music festivals in the world, offering a lineup of top artists in genres ranging from rock to electronic. It’s not just a music festival; it’s an entire cultural experience.
Lollapalooza (Chicago, IL)
Held in Grant Park, Lollapalooza is a must-attend for fans of alternative rock, electronic, and indie music. The festival also showcases a wide variety of food, art, and culture, making it one of the most well-rounded events of the year.
South by Southwest (Austin, TX)
SXSW is more than just a music festival—it’s a comprehensive celebration of the creative industries. From live performances to film screenings and tech showcases, SXSW attracts talent from across the globe.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans, LA)
Celebrate the sounds of New Orleans at the world-famous Jazz Fest, where you can catch some of the best jazz, blues, R&B, and rock acts in the world.
Electric Daisy Carnival (Las Vegas, NV)
For electronic music lovers, EDC is the ultimate festival experience. With massive light shows, stunning visuals, and top-tier DJs, EDC provides a visual and auditory feast like no other.
Conclusion
Choosing the best city to live in as a music lover means finding a place where music isn’t just an activity, but a lifestyle. Whether you’re drawn to the honky-tonk streets of Nashville, the eclectic energy of Austin, or the soulful rhythms of New Orleans, each of these cities offers something unique for music fans.
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Editorial
Seven Stars 2026: 7 Most Anticipated Sets at GRiZ’s Cosmic Campout
As the second annual Valley of the Seven Stars approaches, bass music fans across the country are prepping their gear and locking in their set times. Taking over the Oak Ridge Estate in Arrington, Virginia from October 8–11, this gathering marks the long-awaited payoff of GRiZ’s two-year hiatus. The event has quickly earned a reputation as one of the bass community’s premier “homie” festivals, trading commercial refinement for deep curation and authentic energy. Whether you are hunting for ground-shaking low end or sunset grooves, here are the 7 most anticipated performances to highlight on your schedule:
7. Richard Finger
Set Time: Saturday, 4:50 PM – 5:50 PM
Operating entirely behind anonymous masks, Richard Finger has become one of bass music’s most intriguing underground phenomena. The mysterious duo popped onto the radar with relentless sound design and uncompromisingly heavy drops, rapidly earning a rotation in festival sets worldwide. While internet investigators continue trying to uncover their true identities, the project lets the sheer sound of low end rhythm do the talking. Catching them in the afternoon heat on Saturday is guaranteed to wake up the crowd.
6. Hedex
Set Time: Sunday, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Hedex has been at the forefront of the modern drum and bass explosion. He has been taking jump-up rhythms out of underground UK clubs and pushing them onto major American festival stages. This performance serves as the official launch for his North American “Nu Era” tour. Known for quick double drops and explosive crowd control, his Sunday slot will deliver a shot of pure adrenaline just as festivalgoers enter the final night.
5. GRiZ (Chasing The Golden Hour)
Set Time: Saturday, 6:05 PM – 7:20 PM
GRiZ has always known how to curate a vibe, but his Chasing The Golden Hour (CTGH) concept holds a legendary place in the scene. It was originally conceived as a mixtape series built around vintage samples, mellow hip-hop beats, and live sax riffs. CTGH offers a soulful counterweight to his heavy dubstep headline sets. Following packed-out demand at past events, this sunset window is made for collective unwinding. It is the defining emotional anchor of the weekend, best experienced surrounded by friends on an open hill.

4. Mersiv
Set Time: Saturday, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
DJ & producer Anderson Gallegos, known professionally as Mersiv, has carved out a dedicated subculture with his trademark “Pretty Dark Loud” sound design. Mersiv crafts sets that feel simultaneously meditative and heavy by combining hypnotic downtempo atmospheres with distortion-heavy basslines. Dropping into Saturday prime time, his set will steer the valley into its deepest, most psychedelic sonic territory.
3. Seth David (R&Bass)
Set Time: Friday, 1:00 AM – 2:00 AM (After Hours)
Returning to the Seven Stars lineup for a second run, Seth David brings his signature R&Bass sound to the Satellite Stage. The project fuses classic 90s and 2000s R&B vocals with sub-bass frequencies. This set gives night owls a refreshing alternative to the standard festival sound anding directly in the after-hours slot,
2. Distinct Motive
Set Time: Sunday, 6:50 PM – 7:50 PM
Hailing from Ontario, Distinct Motive has spearheaded the revival of pure 140 BPM sound system culture in North America. His productions emphasize sub-bass, surgical mixing, and deep roots in old-school UK dubstep. Since his anthem “Wait A Minute” dominated stages everywhere, his profile has skyrocketed. Sunday evening marks his debut on the mainstage, bringing chest-rattling low frequencies to the festival’s largest sound system.
1. Kaleena Zanders
Set Time: Thursday, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Revered as one of modern dance music’s most captivating vocal powerhouses, Kaleena Zanders channels gospel roots through classic house grooves. With major collaborative releases alongside fellow headliners, her live sets go far beyond ordinary DJ performances. Slotted into Thursday evening, she will set an uplifting, soulful tone for the entire cosmic campout before the heavier bass takes over.
With four days of music spread across The Valley, pacing is going to be everything. Set conflicts are inevitable when a lineup has this much variety. Be sure to leave room in your schedule to wander between stages and stumble onto artists outside your radar.
Grab the official festival app to stay updated on any last-minute schedule shifts and look out for your crew.
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Editorial
MiNT XL: Leeds’ Newest Nightclub Opens With A Bang
MiNT XL opens its doors in Leeds with a sold-out party for 2,500 ravers, as Craig Richards, Enzo Siragusa and Sonja Moonear launch the new nightclub
MiNT XL officially opened its doors on Friday, 25 September, with a sold-out opening party featuring names like Craig Richards, Enzo Siragusa and Sonja Moonear. 2,500 ravers gathered in the heart of Leeds city centre to experience the latest addition to the city’s rich rave culture, marking a memorable beginning for MiNT XL.
Taking over the former nightclub, PRYZM Leeds, MiNT set themselves the challenge of giving the venue a new identity through their own production and iconic signature. In an interview with EDM House Network earlier this year, MiNT marketing manager, Mikey McMahon said they wanted people to walk into MiNT XL and feel like they were part of something forward-thinking. There is no doubt they have achieved this, with the opening night already setting MiNT XL apart from other venues in Leeds.

Credit: David Dumitru
Exploring The Venue’s Layout
Arriving at the venue, you could feel the excitement in the air as people made their way into the club. Music was bumping through the walls and the night was just getting started. Walking inside, the dark environment immediately made it feel like a rave and not a regular nightclub.
Heading up the stairs from the entrance, we reached the main hall of the venue, which houses two of the three rooms at MiNT XL, as well as an open-air terrace. The ‘Clubroom’ was the first room people encountered on the floor, while the main room, also known as the ‘Ballroom’, sits to the left of the hall.
The second floor is a great extension of what the main floor has to offer, hosting the venue’s third room, ‘Cage’, as well as an additional bar with sofas and seating for those wanting a quick break from the dancefloor. The VIP area is also located on this floor, providing a comfortable chill-out space with its own bar and seating area.

Credit: David Dumitru
The Rooms at MiNT XL
1. Ballroom
The largest of the three rooms, the ‘Ballroom’ is a warehouse type of space hosting the headlining names on MiNT XL’s line-ups. Some of the lighting features that stood out as soon as we walked into the room included the large ring structure above the dancefloor, as well as the linear rigs placed horizontally across the ceiling, which rotate to create a wave-like effect through light.
Another standout piece of the room is the newly installed Funktion-One Vero sound system, delivering bass that pumps through your body and an overall premium sound quality. The same system can also be found in the other two rooms, where its impact is even greater due to their smaller capacities.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
2. Cage
Probably the most interesting room of the three, and our personal favourite, ‘Cage’ delivers an experience like no other. Its design feels unique and fresh out of the box, while still maintaining a lush feel. Throughout the opening night, the room was lit up with orange lighting, creating a somewhat comfortable atmosphere amid all the chaos going on.

Credit: David Dumitru
‘Cage’ also has a few sofas placed around the room, helping complete its luxurious feel. The cherry on top, however, is the fact that the space will often welcome DJs playing on vinyl. We had the chance to witness this live, and let me tell you, seeing the artists flip and swap records behind the decks totally elevates the experience.

Credit: David Dumitru
3. Clubroom
With a large light panel on the ceiling covering the centre of the dancefloor, ‘Clubroom’ is an ode to MiNT Warehouse, the brand’s second ever venue. Sharing similar characteristics, the room brings the MiNT Warehouse spirit to MiNT XL, carrying over the energetic vibes that have become a trademark of the brand.
While the room has a great design from a production perspective, the air conditioning isn’t felt as well in some corners, often making it a very hot space.

Credit: David Dumitru
4. Terrace
An open-air space with a nice view of some of Leeds city centre’s tallest buildings, the terrace is a well-arranged spot for those who want to unwind a little and take a breath of fresh air. Located close to the ‘Ballroom’, the path to the terrace can, however, become very busy at times.

Credit: David Dumitru
The Music at MiNT XL
The venue opened with the brand’s own event series, ‘system.’, taking over the decks. Across the three rooms, a well-curated line-up delivered the soundtrack to MiNT’s new beginning.
From the perspective of EDM House Network, our highlights were Foehn & Jerome at the ‘Cage’, Craig Richards B2B Francesco Del Garda at the ‘Ballroom’, and then back to the ‘Cage’ for a vinyl session with Fumiya Tanaka.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
Beyond the opening night, a wide range of renowned DJs are set to follow at MiNT XL, with the likes of Ewan McVicar, Riordan, Morgan Seatree and a Worried About Henry (WAH) takeover among those already announced. While so far only electronic music events make up the calendar, organisers have said they are excited to expand into new genres and live music.
Atmosphere Inside The Venue
MiNT XL operates a no-phones policy at all events, meaning attendees can fully immerse themselves into the music. Having experienced an event with such policy for the first time, it was impressive to see how big of a change it makes.
Seeing people living in the moment and having fun truly gave everyone a taste of what some mean when they say ‘raving was better in the 90s’. The no-phones policy genuinely made the night feel like a time machine that teleported us back to a time when people used to socialise and not chase Instagram clout at raves.

Credit: @elliotyoungphoto
With three state-of-the-art rooms, a 2,500-capacity venue, a sound system that blows the roof off and a no-phones policy, MiNT XL has real potential to become one of the best nightclubs in the entire UK. The opening party was not just the green light for a new venue in Leeds, but felt more like a statement that MiNT XL is here, and for good.
The club season is only just getting started, with a packed list of upcoming events already lined up at MiNT XL.
Friday 9 October – Marsolo Invites: Marsolo + more TBA
Saturday 10 October – Airspace: Notion, Kyle Starkey, Camille Doe + more
Saturday 17 October – Mint XL Presents: Cam Stockman b2b Tommy Phillips
Friday 30 October – Airspace: Riordan, Stef Davidse + more
Saturday 31 October – Ewan McVicar Presents: Halloween – Ewan McVicar, Special Request, Olive F
Saturday 7 November – Mint XL Presents: ALISHA, Robbie Doherty + more
Saturday 14 November – Mint XL Presents: Morgan Seatree + more TBA
Friday 20 November – Framework Presents: Ben UFO, Papa Nugs + more
Saturday 21 November – Jampacked Would Tour Leeds Edition: Jamback, Anil Aras, A For Alpha
Saturday 19 December – Framework x Mugpie Presents: Christian AB, Unai Trotti + more
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Amsterdam Music Festival News
EDM Festivals October 2026: Festivals We Can’t Miss
EDM Festivals October 2026: Festivals We Can’t Miss worldwide as major events fill the month across North America, Asia, Europe, and South America
October 2026 brings another busy month for the EDM festival calendar, with events taking place across North America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America. In the US, 808 Festival, Breakaway Utah, We Belong Here Central Park, Experts Only at the Gorge, Niteharts, Head Trip, III Points Miami, Escape Psycho Circus, BOO! Seattle, BOO! Arizona, and Hocus Pocus Miami fill the month. Meanwhile, EDC Korea and Chill O’posite Festival add major dates in Asia and Africa. No Art Lisbon and AMF represent Europe, while EDC Colombia and Ritvales bring two large weekends to South America. Here’s a full look at the EDM festivals taking place throughout October 2026.
808 Festival
Dates: October 2–3, 2026
Location: BITEC, Bangkok, Thailand
808 Festival returns to BITEC in Bangkok from October 2–3, 2026 for two days across two stages. The Phase Two lineup includes ILLENIUM, SLANDER B2B NGHTMRE, W&W, Argy, Ben Nicky, 999999999, Mesto, and KAAZE. Meanwhile, JUSTUS, RIVO, Dorian, Ian Asher, and Mary Droppinz are also confirmed. Several special performances are scheduled, including Adam Beyer B2B Chris Avantgarde and Nifra B2B Will Atkinson. Giorgia Angiuli will also perform live. More artists are still due to be announced before the festival returns to Bangkok in October.

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