Savannah Music
Points of interest, music festivals, and venues in "The Hostess City of the South"
Widely recognized for its rich history and architecture, Savannah also embraces music and the arts. A melting pot of musical creativity, the city is home to the Savannah Philharmonic, the Coastal Jazz Association, the Savannah Folk Music Society, rock and punk bands like Cusses and Crazy Bag Lady, Americana bands like Waits & Co. and The Train Wrecks, hip hop artists like DJ Basik Lee and Miggs, and a metal scene anchored by internationally recognized bands Kylesa and Black Tusk.
The 17-day Savannah Music Festival, Georgia’s largest musical arts event, creates timeless and adventurous productions. The Savannah Jazz Festival celebrates the uniquely American art form, the Savannah Folk Festival immerses visitors in folk music and dance traditions, and the Savannah VOICE Festival focuses on opera, classical music, and musical theatre. Street artists and buskers playing in the parks and squares add to the soul, charm, and character of the world-renowned historic district. No matter where Savannah’s famed cobblestones lead you — to restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries, museums, churches, or theaters — you’re likely to encounter music that is anything but ordinary … just like Savannah.
Below, use the itinerary to find must-see music venues, festivals, and more points of interest, and listen to music by local artists in the "Our Savannah Picks" playlist.
1. The Lucas Theatre for the Arts
Established in 1922, the Lucas Theatre is a longtime cornerstone of culture in Savannah with a regular schedule of films, performances, and concerts. Managed by the Savannah College of Art and Design, the Lucas hosts the Savannah Philharmonic and select Savannah Music Festival performances.
When it opened post-World War II, the Trustees Theater was known for being the first Southeastern theater with adjustable air conditioning. Today, the theatre is recognized for booking classic films and top touring bands. It also serves as a venue during the Savannah Music Festival.
If you like to dance the night away to groovy bass lines, make the laid-back Barrelhouse South your destination. Most nights of the week, blues, funk, and jam bands blaze the stage.
4. Congress Street Social Club
At least four nights a week, Congress Street Social Club presents DJs and bands.
First opened in 1818 in Chippewa Square, Savannah Theatre is one of the longest-operating theatres in the country. With a talented cast of musicians, the theatre presents a variety of seasonal and popular productions, including Savannah Live, a two-hour variety show featuring a high-energy band and eight singers.
6. The Wormhole
This eccentric neighborhood dive and concert venue has opened its doors to a number of national punk and indie artists. The small stage is perfect for audiences who want to be eye level with their favorite unconventional musicians.
Jazz fans should check out Jazz’d Tapas Bar, Vic’s on the River, and Rancho Alegre Cuban Restaurant. For a little bit of everything musically, consider The Warehouse, Little Lucky’s, and open mike Mondays at Abe’s on Lincoln. For something completely different, visit Savannah Smiles: Dueling Pianos Saloon. For music on the beach, head to Tybee Island, where lots of restaurants and bars feature live music. For a calendar of live music events, check out Connect Savannah.
In the early 1700s, farmers and fishermen brought seafood, tobacco, okra, watermelon, and other goods to City Market – Savannah’s social and commercial center. As the modern-day “art and soul of Savannah,” the open-air marketplace, lined with galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars, still draws crowds, and live music is a staple, indoors and outdoors.
2. Forsyth Park
Among its grasslands, historical monuments, statues, and the dazzling fountain built in 1858, the historic district’s bustling 30-acre Forsyth Park now includes an amphitheater, which features concerts and serves as home base for the Savannah Jazz Festival.
3. Graveface Records & Curiosities
Operated by local musician and independent record label owner Ryan Graveface, this one-of-a-kind shop carries new and used vinyl along with a variety of random oddities.
4. Johnny Mercer Statue & Gravesite
The life-size bronze statue of four-time Academy Award-winning lyricist and composer Johnny Mercer stands in Ellis Square. It was unveiled in 2009 as part of the worldwide centennial celebration of the Savannah native’s birthday. Mercer is buried in Savannah’s hauntingly beautiful Bonaventure Cemetery, which was featured in the 1994 novel "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."
5. Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra
The community-based Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra has endeared itself to audiences since 2008 by performing symphonies and concertos by traditional composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, and Stravinsky, then shaking things up a bit with compositions written by Elton John, Paul McCartney, and ABBA.
1. Savannah Folk Music Festival
The Savannah Folk Music Society presents concerts, contra dances, First Friday events, and Pickin’ Jams year-round, then hosts the annual Savannah Folk Festival in October. A variety of folk, traditional, and contemporary performances are featured, along with an Old Time Country Dance and a youth songwriting competition. Another popular component is the Noteworthy Art and More Auction featuring world-famous Gretsch guitars which have been painted, carved, and sculpted by Savannah-area artists.
Built on history and tradition, the Coastal Jazz Association presents the annual Savannah Jazz Festival, a week-long free event featuring styles from Dixieland and swing to be-bop and blues.
Every year in late March and early April, the Savannah Music Festival takes over the city for 17 days, exercises its high artistic standards by featuring world-class artists from around the globe in more than 100 productions staged in venues citywide.
Driven to bring classical vocal excellence to the city, Savannah Voice Festival presents opera, musical theatre, and song.
