Best Ways to Experience Galveston's Music Scene
Galveston is officially deemed a Texas Friendly Music Certified Community!
The Texas Music Office awarded Galveston this certification for its continued efforts to embrace and support the local music scene. From bringing name acts like Johnny Mathis to the Grand Opera House to La Izquierda’s Save the Locals series, there is no question that Galveston is a music destination.
Local Acts You Don’t Want to Miss
Galveston is a certified music-friendly city, and that is rightfully so. The island is home to dozens of musical acts from many different genres. On any given day or night you can stop into a local hot spot and catch a solo artist singing sultry tunes (Austin Gaston), folk jams (Tyson Webb and Girl Buoy), or a psychedelic rock band (India Tigers in Texas) getting the crowd on their feet. If you find yourself on island time stop in to a local show and take in the island vibes and sounds. Looking for date night activities in Galveston? Acts like Youth Soul Love and Dem Roots will have you dancing and swaying all night long. Looking to channel your inner punk or goth? Check out Kink Shame and Raudiver respectively.
Listen Like a Local
Wondering where to go to listen like the locals and catch awesome local musicians in action? The Grand 1894 Opera House and Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe are great places to catch national touring acts or your favorite local powerhouses. If you are looking for a low-key acoustic set, stroll down Postoffice Street to MOD’s patio; you can then head toward Market Street and stop at the Proletariat to catch a sidewalk session that includes a unique visual element.
Perhaps you are looking for a more lively venue or band, from Bar 43, Hearsay on the Strand, and Yaga’s Cafe you will find yourself deep in the heart of the Galveston music scene. The Historic Downtown area is the music hotspot on the island and definitely the place to be. Most venues where you will find a live act are within walking distance from one another so you can spend the night dancing and signing from place to place. On any given night you will find local acts sharing their original tunes and fun cover bands reviving all the hits, you never know who you might run into.
October is a wonderful time to visit Galveston, the music scene is bustling and vibrant and you can catch musicians from many different genres and styles. Come on down and listen like a local, we’ll start tuning up!
History of Galveston’s Music Scene
The Grand 1894 Opera House opened in the late 19th century, and has hosted operas, films, bands, and musicals, including The Marriage of Figaro (1992), My Fair Lady (1989), and Annie (1991).
Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is a still running venue that hosts Galveston’s own Robert Kuhn, Hayes Carll, Kevin Anthony, and Come See My Dead Person. The stage has even launched the career of Dusty Hill from ZZTop.
The Balinese Room, built in 1920, hosted legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Duke Ellington. You could dance the night away, try your luck at poker, or hit the slots— until it was tragically destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Though the Balinese Room may have met its untimely demise and is forever closed, The Grand 1894 Opera House and Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe are still going as strong as ever. These two music venues allow Galveston crowds to enjoy music as a community.
Galveston’s Current Music Scene
As Galveston evolves, so does its music scene. On any given night, you can catch a local act at a variety of venues from the Old Quarter Acoustic cafe to one of many bars or even hotel rooftops..
What’s in Store for the Future?
The opportunities are endless now that Galveston has been deemed a certified music-friendly community. The remainder of 2024 and the whole of 2025 are lining up nicely with global acts like Lyle Lovette, Johnny Mathis, The Righteous Brothers, and endless local acts shining across the stage. With the backing of the Texas Music Office and the City of Galveston, the music scene is set to flourish. Keep your ears to the ground because you never know who might show up on a local stage!
