Live Music in Columbus

Few American cities can claim both Twenty One Pilots and Rascal Flatts as homegrown acts, yet Columbus, Ohio, has launched artists across that full range of genres and then some. The city's DIY culture runs deep, producing a distinct strain of indie rock, folk, and alternative music built on melodic songwriting and local self-sufficiency. That foundation shows up in the current venue circuit, from the intimate confines of Rumba Café and Tree Bar to mid-sized rooms like Skully's Music-Diner and Newport Music Hall to arena-scale shows at Nationwide Arena. Dick's Den has anchored the jazz side of things since the 1960s, while the Columbus Music Commission, formed in 2016, continues pushing emerging talent through dedicated programs and performance opportunities. Columbus rewards the curious listener willing to move across its neighborhoods.