Music cities are special places. They don’t develop and grow through the analysis of market data and the implementation of local government ‘strategies’. No. Rather, they emerge through the connection people make to a place where they can engage with other likeminded people. There are many things that can make a place one of TheMusicCities, and at the end of the day, if you connect to a place through music, or to music through a place, that’s all you need.
Please tell us if you think your city is one of The Music Cities!
We’re not talking about stadium concerts, huge festivals out in a cornfield, or cover bands playing in a biker bar. We’re talking about authentic places where musical creativity drives entrepreneurship, quality of life, and placemaking. Places that people want to be because of the music. Places that people think of because of music. Musicians that people think of because of a place. Places where music drives economic growth and quality of life. Places where music improves the public realm.
This is about placemaking and driving entrepreneurship and cultural arts through the universal language of music. We talk a lot about art and culture and how they are important drivers of economic growth. However, not all genres of art are for everyone, and art is seen through the eye of the beholder. That’s what makes music unique, and first among equals in the arts.
Not everyone is into museums. Not everyone is into the opera. Not everyone is into theater. Not everyone appreciates visual arts or sculpture. But EVERYONE has their favorite type of music. Each person’s musical preference may differ, and there may be genres that someone dislikes, but have you ever met anyone who dislikes all music? We certainly haven’t.
Music stirs emotions. It helps us relive important events in our lives. It triggers deja vu for people and places. And that musical connection to place is how people engage with one another. It is what helps make a place open and welcoming. It is how we discover things we like about other cultures we may not understand and meet people we would not otherwise get to know. It is how strangers find their tribe when they arrive at a new place. It is also a strong economic driver that often supports a hidden economy that needs to be exposed.
So what makes a place one of TheMusicCities? Here are our inaugural lists:
3. Musicians that branded cities.
5. Music’s hidden local economy.
We look forward to hearing your lists and learning why your city should be thought of as one of TheMusicCities.
Music Branded Cities
There is only one city named “Music City”, but any city can be a music city with the right connection between music, people and place.
Places Made by Music
There are thousands of places around the country that have music, but there are a few special places that were actually made by music. Places
Musicians That Branded Cities
There are some cities that are defined by their musicians. That when you think of the city, that musician might come to mind, and when
Placemaking Music Events
There are thousands of music related events around the country every year, but very few even make the cut for consideration for TheMusicCities inaugural list.
The Hidden Music Economy
Our inaugural entry for this category is the City of North Miami, Florida. As we worked in the community to help assist with revitalization and
Musician Entrepreneurs
There are many types of musician entrepreneurs. They go into ventures that are as diverse as there are genres of music. They include investments in
Songs and Albums Connected to Places
Often, songs are the connection that people make to a place, either through an event that happened while the song was playing, and sometimes because
Businesses That Help Define Cities
There are some music related businesses that help define TheMusicCities. These are places that even non-musicians seek out or find when they are visiting these
