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Top Ten Alternative/ Indie Music Cities in the World

Ask this member a question. Guzzle Music Journalist and Belle & Sebastian fan
Apr 4, 2006
3.0 of 5 stars based on 9 votes
Cities with the best indie music scenes, birthplaces of top indie bands and best places to catch an alternative band.
1. Glasgow
Glasgow, Scotland
Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, Franz Ferdinand, Beta Band, Mogwai, Snow Patrol, The Blue Nile, Dogs Die in Hot Cars. Something about this rainy city has made it the home of more top indie and alternative sounds than anywhere else in the UK. Catch the next big name at legendary venue, King Tut's.
2. Austin
Austin, Texas
An energetic home town scene and world-renowned South by Southwest music festival has the world's music industry people scouting for the next big things.
3. Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Kurt and co grabbed as much fame for Seattle as Starbuck's. catch today's hot names at The Crocodile, Neumo's or Labor Day weekend music fest - Bumbershoot.
4. New York
New York, United States
From the New York Dolls to Beck, New York seethes with sounds like nowhere else.
5. London
London, England
On any night literally thousands of bands play. There are dozens of ace alternative club nights to choose from, from under age indie discos to gay and lesbian clubs, pulsing with alt anthems.
6. San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Something about San Francisco gets bands all misty eyed, and they all play here.
7. Dublin
Dublin, County Dublin
far from the mainstream fodder U2 churns out, bands like the Frames, the Chalets, Mundy and Cowboy X stir up the eager throngs in venues such as Whelan's, the Olympia, the Shelter and Vicar Street.
8. Portland
Portland, Oregon
So great that Jack White and Loretta Lynn sang about it. Venues such as Berbati's Pan, the Roseland, the Crystal Ballroom, the Aladdin and the Doug Fir make Portland a regular halt for bands playing the west coast.
9. Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
All forms of entertainment have at least a part time home in L.A. The alt world is no exception.
10. Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
Home to indie rock goddess Liz Phair, every band plays this dynamic city.
Explore locations featured in this Traveler List: Glasgow, Austin, Seattle, New York, London, San Francisco, Dublin, Portland, Los Angeles, Chicago