From Local Jams to Big Concerts: Your Guide to Knoxville’s Live Music
Tennessee is a music lover's paradise, with its rich musical heritage spanning from Memphis, known for its vibrant music scene, to Nashville, the heart of country music, and to our own city with the unique “Knoxville Sound.” We’ve put together a list of the best spots around town where you can enjoy live music every day of the week, as well as top concert venues to check out.
Weekly Events
Monday
Frog & Toad’s Dixie Quartet - Catch Frog & Toad’s Dixie Quartet every Monday at 7pm at the delicious Babalu restaurant on Gay Street.
Mighty Musical Monday - This free event occurs on the first Monday of each month. Might Musical Monday features House Organist Freddie Brabson on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.
Open Mic Night - Head to Barrelhouse by Gypsy Cider to get your voice heard or discover local singer/songwriters and maybe some comedians. This event occurs every Monday from 6-9pm.
Tuesday
Concerts on the Square | Jazz Tuesdays—Listen to Jazz in Market Square starting in May. This event will happen every Tuesday from 7 pm to 9pm in May, June, and September. Bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy this free concert.
Old Time Jam Session with Sarah Pirkle - catch them every Tuesday at Boyd’s Jig & Reel starting at 7:15pm.
Blue Plate Special - Hosted by WDVX this free concert occurs weekly at noon at the Knoxville Visitors Center.
Wednesday
Open Mic Singer Songwriter Night - Grab a bite to eat at Boyd’s Jig & Reel and enjoy this free event. Open Mic Singer Songwriter Night occurs every Wednesday at 7pm.
Blue Plate Special - Hosted by WDVX this free concert occurs weekly at noon at the Knoxville Visitors Center.
Thursday
Concerts on the Square | Variety Thursdays - From May to September enjoy a special concert every third Thursday from 7 pm to 9 pm in Market Square. Bring chairs or a blanket and enjoy this free concert.
May 15th - WIMZ Garage Band
June 19th - Brian Clay's GRUUV Xperience
July 17 - Teen Spirit
August 21 - 7 Bridges: The Ultimate EAGLES Experience
September 18 - Square on the Square
Open Mic Night - Every third Thursday at Maker Exchange.
Blue Plate Special - Hosted by WDVX this free concert occurs weekly at noon at the Knoxville Visitors Center.
Friday
Tavern Notes - Spend Friday night at Maker Exchange and listen to free music! Tavern Notes occurs on Friday nights from 7-9pm until April 25th.
Blue Plate Special - Hosted by WDVX this free concert is at Barley’s Taproom on Fridays.
Saturday
Blue Plate Special - Hosted by WDVX this free concert occurs weekly at noon at the Knoxville Visitors Center.
Free Live Music Locations
Marble City Market - Grab some food & drinks and enjoy evenings listening to music at Marble City Market.
Trailhead Beer Market - Chill out after long days at Trailhead Beer Market. Hosting performances a couple nights a week makes it the perfect place to hang out and listen to music.
Preservation Pub - Prides themselves on being able to say they host “live music 365 nights a year”. Preservation Pub is an awesome atmosphere to listen to music and have fun!
Scruffy City Hall - Enjoy drinks and music every night at Scruffy City Hall located in Market Square.
Ijams Nature Center - Catch a Pickin’ on Nature bluegrass concert at Ijams! This awesome concert series features great talent - so mark the concert dates on your calendar.
Concerts on the Square - Enjoy free concerts in Market Square this Summer! Enjoy Jazz concerts every Tuesday in May, June, and September and special concerts every third Thursday from May to September.
Other Concert Locations
Knoxville has become an exciting hotspot for live music, with its concert scene growing rapidly in recent years. From Morgan Wallen selling out Neyland Stadium twice to Food City Center at Thompson-Boling Arena hosting legendary acts like the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Paul McCartney, and many more, Knoxville is quickly becoming a must-stop city for major artists. Below, you'll find a list of venues where your favorite bands and artists are likely to perform. Be sure to follow your top acts for concert updates, and stay in the loop with live events by checking the Connecting Knox App calendar!
Food City Center at Thompson Boling Arena
Knoxville Civic Auditorium & Coliseum
Bijou Theatre
Tennessee Theatre
Mill & Mine
Cotton Eyed Joe
Open Chord
Music is at the heart of Knoxville’s vibe. Whether you're looking to catch a local band every week or grab tickets to see your favorite artists on the city’s biggest stages, there’s always something happening. From bars and breweries to restaurants and more, Knoxville is full of spots that host live music nights. With the Connecting Knox app events calendar, you’ll never miss a pop-up show or surprise performance around town!
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