Get In The Groove
Where to See Live Music Near Seattle
If you're wondering where to see live music in Seattle, consider veering off the beaten path a bit to Seattle Southside—an area known for its laid-back vibes, welcoming crowds, and multicultural community.
Below are some of the best, under-the-radar venues to explore.
Where to Enjoy Live Music in Seattle Southside
The venues below regularly feature live music. You can also find upcoming concerts on our events calendar.
The Best of Seattle Playlist: Songs by Seattle Artists
Seattle has long been known for its music scene. Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Heart, Odesza, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis all hail from Seattle, among many other artists. Below, find a curated a custom playlist featuring 40 songs that represent a range of Seattle artists and genres.
- Come As You Are — Nirvana
- Spanish Castle Magic — Jimi Hendrix
- Posse On Broadway — Sir Mix-A-Lot
- Even Flow — Pearl Jam
- No Excuses — Alice In Chains
- Float On — Modest Mouse
- Spoonman — Soundgarden
- Jet City Woman — Queensrÿche
- I Love Seattle — Tacocat
- Say Hello 2 Heaven — Temple Of The Dog
- Crazy On You — Heart
- The Story — Brandi Carlile
- Can I Believe You — Fleet Foxes
- Seven — Sunny Day Real Estate
- Lump — The Presidents Of The United States Of America
- Cold Company — Minus the Bear
- Rebel Girl — Bikini Kill
- The Sound of Settling — Death Cab for Cutie
- Good Enough — Mudhoney
- My Oh My — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- The Funeral — Band of Horses
- They Don’t Care — Fastbacks
- Forever in Love — Kenny G
- Jumpers — Sleater-Kinney
- Different Now — Chastity Belt
- Summer in the City — Quincy Jones
- Chloe Dancer/Crown of Thorns — Mother Love Bone
- Everlong — Foo Fighters
- Such Great Heights — The Postal Service
- Slick Watts — Blue Scholars
- Newport — Kinski
- Grey Street — Dave Matthews Band
- Nearly Lost You — Screaming Trees
- The Man Who Made Himself a Name — Shelby Earl
- Your Car — Red Ribbon
- Say My Name — ODESZA, Zyra
- Honeybee — The Head and the Heart
- River of Deceit — Mad Season
- See See Rider — Ernestine Anderson
- You Know My Name (From Casino Royale) — Chris Cornell
Listen on Spotify
**Spotify is a free streaming music app that you can download to listen to the playlist.
***Some songs on this list may have explicit lyrics.
Did You Know: Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Tracks
Some of the songs included tell stories about the area's history.
“Spanish Castle Magic” by Jimi Hendrix: This psychedelic track was inspired by a real venue called the Spanish Castle Ballroom, located between Seattle and Tacoma. It was a major gathering spot for teenagers and young people, attracting hundreds and drawing touring bands. The experience of going there left a lasting impression on the teenage Hendrix. Years later, he transformed those memories into a high-energy track on Axis: Bold as Love. The “castle” in the song reflects both the actual venue and the dreamy, larger-than-life feeling music held for him at the time.
“My Oh My” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis: This sweet, nostalgic track reflects on what it was like to grow up listening to Mariners games on the radio. In the mid-1990s, the Seattle Mariners captured national attention with a thrilling late-season surge that helped define baseball in the Pacific Northwest. Led by stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martínez, and Randy Johnson, the Mariners’ momentum turned them into one of the most exciting teams of the era and cemented their place in Seattle sports history.
“Jet City Woman” by Queensrÿche is a love letter to Seattle itself—“Jet City” being a longtime nickname for the region due to its ties to Boeing and the aerospace industry. The song reflects both distance and longing, telling the story of a relationship separated by travel, with Seattle as the emotional anchor. Beyond its rock appeal, it subtly nods to the city’s industrial roots and identity during a time when aviation played a major role in shaping the local economy and culture.
Live Events in Seattle
Seattle Blues Playlist: In Honor of the Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival
The Poverty Bay Blues & Brews Festival is once more coming to Des Moines Beach Park on August 26th, 2023…
Summer Festivals and Events in Seattle and Beyond
Summer in the Northwest is packed with festivities.
Live Music at the Quarterdeck — Larry Murante
**Free Event** Enjoy live music at the Quarterdeck! Relax by the waterfront with craft drinks, beautiful sunset views, and free live music from talented local…
7Stories: Oh, Mom! at Highline Heritage Museum
Who hasn’t been held captive by a powerful story? 7 STORIES is a night of storytelling created to build community, grow empathy, and celebrate our…
Pinbrawl on the Waterfront at Waterland Arcade
Pinbrawl on the Waterfront Ready to test your skills? Join us every Saturday at Waterland Arcade for our weekly 3-strike pinball tournament! Registration at 1:3…
The Phantom Of The Opera at Paramount Theatre Seattle
It is one of the the most awesome musicals ever written. The Phantom of the Opera is a classic musical that will pierce your heart…
Live Music at the Quarterdeck — Gage Band
Enjoy live music at the Quarterdeck! Relax by the waterfront with craft drinks, beautiful sunset views, and free live music from talented local artists. Enjoy…
Live Music at the Quarterdeck — Kage Dallas
**Free Event** Enjoy live music at the Quarterdeck! Relax by the waterfront with craft drinks, beautiful sunset views, and free live music from talented local…
Tuesday Karaōke Nights at Waterland Arcade
Tuesday Night Karaoke at Waterland Arcade with Lil' T & KJ Lo 🎤 Karaoke Tuesdays at Waterland Arcade - Sing your heart out with Lil'…
Who Is in the Station? — Jazz Band (Highline School District)
**FREE EVENT** Catch live jazz featuring talented student musicians from the Highline School District in an evening of big band energy and community vibes.
Thursday Night Blues Jam at Creole Soul
🎷 Thursday Night Blues Jam! 🎤 Join us every Thursday from 7PM – 10:30PM at Creole Soul in Des Moines, WA for a night of…
Rainier Symphony Classics Concert
Rainier Symphony Classics Concert Hear the Rainier Symphony light up the Foster Performing Arts Center for their Classics Concert: 🗓️ Saturday, May 30, 2026 @…
Live Music at the Quarterdeck — Diane Keene and the Woodcreek Band
**Free Event** Enjoy live music at the Quarterdeck! Relax by the waterfront with craft drinks, beautiful sunset views, and free live music from talented local…
Live Music at the Quarterdeck — Paloma
**Free Event** Enjoy live music at the Quarterdeck! Relax by the waterfront with craft drinks, beautiful sunset views, and free live music from talented local…