The live music scene is alive and well in Illinois.  After music fans had to take a year off from going to bars, concerts, and festivals they are soaking up as much as they can and are willing to travel to find their favorite bands.

You might know your favorite places in your city, but what are those hidden gems around the country and Illinois that you might not know about yet?

Best Live Music Hidden Gems In America

Theo Wargo, Getty Images
Theo Wargo, Getty Images
loading...

In a recent survey conducted by cheapoticketing.com music fans were able to pick those cities that might not be on your radar for live music, but should be.

So if you really want to travel out of the area, here are the top 5 in the country.

5 - Branson, Missouri
4 - Franklin, Tennessee
3 - St. Pete Beach, Florida
2 - Fernandina, Florida
1 - Modesto, California

According to cheapoticketing.com:

This Northern California city is brimming with a unique musical scene that's both diverse and engaging. From the open-air performances at the Mancini Bowl in Graceada Park, to the intimate shows at the Gallo Center for the Arts, music enthusiasts can experience a variety of genres, including rock, blues, country, and jazz. Downtown Modesto comes alive with "Music in the Plaza" during summers, where local musicians serenade the streets.

 

Best Live Music Hidden Gem In Illinois

Rylee Daniel Photography @rylee_360 on Instagram
Rylee Daniel Photography @rylee_360 on Instagram
loading...

If you can't make the trip to California for some live music, you can try some of the best in the Midwest.  Iowa has two of the best hidden gems with Burlington at number 120 and Ames at number 54.  And the best in Wisconsin is Eau Claire at number 109.

For Illinois, the best hidden gem is Galena at number 39.  Just a bit over an hour from the Quad Cities, the tiny town of 3200 in Northwest Illinois has a downtown with numerous places to check out along the Galena river.  A great place for a getaway from the big city that can still deliver the live music you love.

As you seek out live music around your city maybe take a trip and check out some hidden gems that could be your new favorites.

The Best Iowa Concert Venues

Now that we are going to shows again, we wanted to share the best concert venues in Iowa with you. Which venues need to be added to the list? Send the name and some photos of your time there to ryan.mccredden@townsquaremedia.com

Quad Cities Live Music Venues That Aren't Live Music Venues Anymore

Nostalgia Alert!.

We've compiled a quick list (by no means comprehensive) of venues in the Quad Cities that are no longer music venues but to us will ALWAYS hold a special place were we saw some great shows and made some incredible memories.

To many of us the live music scene wasn't just a concert here & there. It was an every weekend affair. And it didn't matter if it was a touring band or your buddy's band. We were going to be there with a beer in hand and scream along with guitars that were way too loud in a room that was improperly treated acoustically and make some bad decisions.

Gallery Credit: Bill Stage

More From Rockford's New Country Q98.5