Chicago Ranks Among World’s Top 3 Music Cities, Beating Out Nashville and NYC
CHICAGO — Chicago’s music lovers are celebrating after the city was named one of the top three music destinations in the world, beating out industry giants like New York City, Nashville, and Los Angeles in a new ranking by TimeOut.
In a surprise twist, Chicago claimed the #3 spot globally, trailing only London and Berlin on the World’s Best Cities for Music Lovers list, according to TimeOut’s international review published earlier this summer.
How Chicago Beat ‘Music City’ in the Rankings
TimeOut’s editors said the rankings were based on data measuring concerts, venues, festivals, homegrown artists, and music-related businesses. While Nashville brands itself as “Music City,” and New York is often considered the heart of American entertainment, Chicago’s dense, diverse, and nightly-active music culture helped it outperform its rivals.
“It’s so second nature for headlining tours to come through Chicago that it’s stunning when they don’t,” wrote Sweet Lenny for Q98.5.
Whether it’s a Tuesday or a Saturday, odds are high that a big-name act is taking the stage somewhere in Chicago — whether that’s at the United Center, Aragon Ballroom, Thalia Hall, or an outdoor blowout like Lollapalooza or Windy City Smokeout.
Chicago’s Deep Musical Roots Keep It Vibrant
Chicago’s musical identity isn’t limited to one genre. It’s long been considered a cradle for blues, house, jazz, soul, gospel, and alternative rock, with homegrown artists like Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Common, Muddy Waters, and Wilco elevating the city’s global influence.
This mix of history and modern talent creates a scene where legendary venues coexist with emerging indie stages, and local fans turn out in large numbers — rain or shine.
Even Artists Know: Illinois Fans Show Up
While the Jonas Brothers recently chose to play at Tinley Park’s Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre instead of Wrigley Field, it wasn’t seen as a downgrade — more a nod to how deeply Illinois fans show up, not just those in the city.
“There’s another reason for the switch,” Sweet Lenny notes. “People in Illinois, not just Chicago, show up for live music.”
What’s Next for Chicago’s Concert Scene?
The honor comes just in time for Chicago’s jam-packed summer concert season, where upcoming events include major performances at Grant Park, Pitchfork Fest, and a variety of neighborhood music gatherings. The city’s top-rated music status is expected to boost tourism, economic activity, and pride for local artists and venues.
And while Chicagoans may be used to seeing big names play every week, this global recognition validates what locals have always known: music thrives in every corner of this city.
What do you think makes Chicago’s music scene so special? Have a favorite venue or live show memory? Share your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com and let’s celebrate our city’s musical moment together!