Top Places in Augusta for Music Fans

Although best known as James Brown's town, a city of soul and epicenter for funk, the Augusta area's rich musical history and vibrant present were built on the sounds of country, rock, gospel, jazz and, yes, soul. Be it the groundbreaking blues of Blind Willie McTell, the athletic arias of opera legend Jessye Norman, the new Nashville sound of Lady Antebellum, the award-winning jazz trombone of Wycliffe Gordon or the late, great keeper of the Godfather flame Sharon Jones, Augusta’s music and musicians have a long, strong history of producing music that influences artists around the world.

Begin exploring Augusta's rich music history and live music scene with this guide to must-see music venues, festivals and more points of interest.

Where to Enjoy Live Music in Augusta

Augusta Canal Moonlight Music Cruises

Solo artists and small ensembles entertain aboard the Petersburg boats on the Augusta Canal, the only intact industrial canal in use in the South. Performers have included folk/bluegrass group The Henrys, torch singer Gwen Hughes and jazz saxophonist Fred Williams, among others.

Bars and Clubs on Broad Street

The somewhat more modest equivalent of Austin's 6th Street and Beale Street in Memphis, Broad Street is Augusta music's home address. Highlights among the venues and watering holes include Joe's Underground, presenting bands, comedy and hip hop, and poetry open mic; Metro, a coffee house, pub and live music venue; and Stillwater Taproom, specializing in bluegrass, Americana and the occasional country act.

Imperial Theatre

Opened in 1918, the historic Imperial Theatre has long been an anchor of culture and entertainment on Broad Street in downtown Augusta. With 853 seats, the Imperial presents concerts, Broadway shows and hosts the long-running Southern Soul and Song series presented by the Morris Museum of Art.

James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium

Built in 1977, James Brown Arena was re-named in honor of the Godfather just prior to his death in 2006. It is part of the municipal Augusta Entertainment Complex, which also includes Bell Auditorium. Both venues host a variety of concerts and entertainment events.

Jessye Norman Amphitheatre

Jessye Norman, the lauded Grammy award-winning opera singer and recitalist, grew up in Augusta, where she would listen to Metropolitan Opera broadcasts on her radio as young girl. In 1990, the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre was dedicated in her honor as part of the Augusta Riverwalk. The concert venue offers commanding views of the Savannah River and space for 1,800 music fans.

Lady A Pavilion

Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood, two-thirds of the Grammy award-winning trio Lady A, were both born in Augusta, met in middle school, wrote their first song together as young teens and graduated from Lakeside High School in Evans, a suburb of Augusta. Their chart-topping band came to town in 2011 for a concert to officially open the Lady A Pavillion at Evans Towne Center Park, which hosts a variety of concerts and series.

Soul Bar

Soul Bar offers an intimate space for live music and its famous DJ nights. The pool table in back was once a favorite hand for James Brown, the man who inspired this spectacular dive’s vibe.

Southbound Smokehouse

Opened in 2014 and named after an Allman Brothers Band song, Southbound Smokehouse is a casual barbecue restaurant and acoustic music venue with music memorabilia covering the walls and barbecue sauces named for songs by artists including Neil Young, Widespread Panic and Grateful Dead.

Symphony Orchestra Augusta

Bringing classical music to Augusta for more than 60 years, Symphony Orchestra Augusta presents its annual Symphony Series, the Pops! at the Bell Series and the Columbia County Music Series.

6 Top Music Festivals in Augusta

Arts in the Heart of Augusta

The sprawling Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, held annually in September, programs multiple stages — including World, Jazz and Troubadour — with a focus on musical diversity and dozens of performers featured throughout the three-day weekend.

Garden City Jazz

Garden City Jazz works to connect, promote and develop the jazz community. As part of its mission, the organization presents several programs throughout the year, including Soiree: Jazz + Wine on 4th Saturdays and the Candlelight Jazz Concert Series held between May and August.

Papa Joe’s Banjobque Music Festival

Banjobque features roots, Americana and bluegrass music. Past bands have included Old Crow Medicine Show, Avett Brothers, Trampled by Turtles, Whiskey Gentry and more.

Riverwalk Revival

A relatively new two-day concert series, Riverwalk Revival is set at the Jessye Norman Amphitheatre on the Augusta Riverwalk. Presented in August and October, the series has featured Drive-By Truckers, T. Hardy Morris, Moon Taxi, SUSTO and Sleepwalkers.

Southern Soul & Song

For more than a decade, Morris Museum of Art's Budweiser True Music Southern Soul & Song concert series has presented icons and rising stars in bluegrass, country, Americana, gospel, roots and jazz. Held at the historic Imperial Theatre, Southern Soul & Song has featured acclaimed artists, including the late Doc Watson, Del McCoury, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Sam Bush, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs and many more.

Westobou Festival

Westobou Festival takes an innovative approach to musical performances among its art and dance offerings. Past performers have included Janelle Monáe, Roseanne Cash, Ben Folds and more.

Points of Interest for Music Fans in Augusta

Godfather of Soul Exhibition

"The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown" exhibition at the Augusta Museum of History tells the story of the acclaimed singer, songwriter, dancer and bandleader through personal artifacts and rare memorabilia.

James Brown Family Historical Tour

The James Brown Family Historical Tour is a narrated bus tour that visits sites that are significant to the history of James Brown growing up and living in Augusta. Tours originate at the Augusta Museum of History and take place on Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 12:45 a.m. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the Augusta Museum of History. Reservations should be made in advance by calling 803-640-2090. For more information, visit jamesbrownfamilyfdn.com.

James Brown Plaza

Just a couple blocks away on Broad Street, between 8th Street and James Brown Boulevard (formerly 9th Street), a life-sized bronze statue of the music icon stands in James Brown Plaza. The statue was dedicated by Brown himself just a year before he passed away in 2006.

Psychotronic Augusta

Spend hours browsing Psychotronic Augusta's eclectic inventory of vinyl 33 1/3 LPs and 45s, CDs, music posters and books, movie collectibles, DVDs, rare paperbacks, comic books and more.

Pyramid Music & More

An old-school record store experience, Pyramid has been serving Augusta with hard-to-find soul and R&B music for more than 30 years.