Cleveland Music Guide

In the 1950s, Cleveland disc-jockey Alan Freed tirelessly promoted R&B – then dubbed it “rock ‘n’ roll.” One of the hottest music markets in the nation, Cleveland served as a sort proving ground for new acts, weeding out the good from the bad and the just plain ugly. Considered a “breakout” city, this is the burg that delivered the O’Jays, James Gang and Robert Lockwood Jr.

Cleveland continues to live up to its musical roots, but that doesn’t mean it’s stuck in the past. Constantly being reshaped, repackaged and retooled by a new crop of local talent, the live-music scene remains as fresh and relevant today as it did in Screamin’ Freed’s day. Homegrown talent like the Black Keys, Winslow and Nicholas Megalis, a piano-wielding wunderkind, are giving a whole new generation of Clevelanders something to swoon about.

Points East

Kick off your musical odyssey at the Beachland Ballroom, a former Croatian dance hall that has been given new life as one of the region’s best live-music venues. Set in the gritty-cool Collinwood neighborhood, about 20 minutes east of downtown, the Beachland maintains a diverse concert schedule featuring both up-and-coming talent and hard-touring vets. While the grand ballroom is ideal for big draws, the more intimate Tavern space is naturally suited for smaller acts.

Closer to town, in Cleveland Heights, the Grog Shop is often a hot mess of humanity thanks to full crowds and tight quarters. While nationally recognized acts like Oasis, Fall Out Boy, and Modest Mouse grace the small stage, other more low-flying bands often break here. Feeling a bit like a suped-up garage, the Grog Shop puts the mostly twenty-something hipster crew within spitting distance of the nation’s best up-and-comers. If the Grog is the garage, then the B-Side Liquor Lounge is the basement. Tucked below the Grog, and run by the same management, the techno-minded B-Side serves up a wild mix of neo-soul, electro house and mashed-up hip-hop.

If you prefer your grooves on the smooth side, pencil in a visit to Nighttown, the city’s finest jazz supper club. Thanks to an ever-shifting schedule of superior live music, the dimly lit hideaway in Cleveland Heights is the perfect spot for a romantic date or a relaxing nightcap. Included in Down Beat mag’s list of “100 Best Jazz Clubs,” Nighttown is a regional destination.

Closer to Town

To catch up-and-coming regional acts as well as nationally known touring bands, the famed Agora Theater is still the place to be. Just a stone’s throw from PlayhouseSquare, Cleveland’s thumping theater district, the Agora offers a mix of metal, hip-hop, punk and grab-a-glow-stick techno. The rusty old club is divided into a spacious theater and more intimate, comfortable ballroom.

Peabody’s is known as the place to hear the best metal acts in town, with local legend Mushroomhead leading the charge. The legendary hard-rocking Cleveland band cut its teeth at Peabody’s and still plays most of its shows there. Like the rough-and-tumble music that is played here, this club embodies a certain edge. If a sweaty, pulsating mosh pit sounds like fun, this is your place.

Go West

While many of the biggest live-music draws are located east of the Cuyahoga River, the West Side has a pretty lively scene brewing as well. Thanks to a superior sound system and unique layout, The Winchester Tavern provides what many claim is the best sound experience in the area. Formerly a bowling alley, the club emphasizes comfort, maintaining seats enough for all who want them. Check the website frequently to see which legends of jazz, rock, alt-country and bluegrass will be gracing the sweet stage.

A staggering renovation has breathed new life into the historic Brothers Lounge, a club that has seen its fair share of Blues legends. In addition to a wine bar and pub, this snazzy club boasts a killer concert hall with mahogany bar, oak flooring and a high-tech sound system. The nightly lineup of local, regional and national acts makes every night a unique experience.

Known mostly for its post-punk offerings, the Phantasy Concert Club is a Lakewood venue where the cool kids flock after dark. Rounding out the schedule with good old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll and the occasional hip-hop showing manages to attract a diverse crew. The roomy club boasts high ceilings and plush red velvet chairs, and the rugged charm of the place can really grow on a person.

Hear; Buy

For the obsessive audiophile and the more passive music fan, Cleveland’s exceptional new and used record shops can plug gaps in every collection.

When heading to the Grog Shop, make sure to hit Record Revolution, a Coventry Road institution. Music fans flock to this friendly shop to score rare used vinyl, latest releases, and popular CDs. Make your way to the basement where a cache of thousands of records, from all matter of artists, awaits the meticulous shopper.

If you’re headed to the Beachland Ballroom, get there early enough to hit nearby Music Saves. Inside the bright and festive shop, you’ll find a wide selection of new and used indie-minded rock – the type you aren’t likely score elsewhere. Not only can you purchase your Beachland Ballroom tix here, but you just may see the headlining act here shopping for vinyl.

For those with an affinity for obscure vinyl, Lakewood’s My Mind’s Eye can seem like record nirvana. The store is split pretty evenly between CDs and records — both new and used — with thousands of choices to thumb through. Selections run the gamut from Johnny Cash to Black Sabbath, and the helpful staff will steer you in the right direction.