Concerts and festivals might be cancelled but there are plenty of ways to experience the best of American music from the comfort of your own home. Destinations across the USA have created online concerts, gigs, lessons and playlists to help you immerse yourself in their culture and lifestyle. Here’s part #1 of our pick of some of the virtual US music experiences currently available.
Classical and opera in Utah
The doors to Utah’s concert halls might be closed but you can still enjoy live performances from their finest orchestras and opera stars. Discover concerts from the Utah Symphony, Orchestra of Southern Utah and Utah Opera online and catch up on gigs from the Excellence in the Community concert series that are being live-streamed on Facebook. Meanwhile, Ogden’s The Proper Way hosts Ogden's City Limits, an event documenting the process of musicians coming together in the studio, getting to know one another, learning, arranging and live-recording one cover and one original song with each guest artist. Follow them here on Facebook to be notified of new episodes.
Rock out to L.A. sunset playlists
You can soak up the laidback sounds of LA with a series of soundtracks designed for the ‘magic hour’, the captivating period just around sunset when the sun casts golden hues of warm light in California.Los Angeles Tourism will live stream the sunset every day from Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach beginning at 6:30 p.m. PST. While watching the sun sink into the glittering Pacific Ocean, followers are invited to recreate cocktail and other recipes from the local restaurant community or listen to the sounds of L.A. via curated playlists. Find the sessions on @discoverLA on Instagram, Facebook and Zoom.
Listen to Pure Sounds of Michigan
Michigan has created a first-of-its kind ambient music album to showcase the state. ‘Pure Sounds of Michigan’ takes listeners on a sunrise-to-sunset virtual listening tour of the state from coast to coast. The compilation of 10 ambient soundscapes was created in honour of the 100th anniversary of Michigan State Parks celebration.It was composed using sounds of nature captured from 10 Michigan State Parks throughout the Upper and Lower Peninsula, from gentle streams to rolling waves and indigenous birds to a variety of Michigan’s natural elements. ‘City of Sand’, for example, was inspired by the amazing sand dunes in Michigan; the Porcupine Mountains and their spectacular waterfalls influenced the sounds in ‘Lake of Clouds’, and ‘Island Drift’ was based upon Michigan’s spectacular Mackinac Island. Find the album via free download on various digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Google Play.
Catch the chilled coastal sounds of St Pete and Clearwater
Dreaming of a holiday on a paradise beach? Keep your spirits up with a sunny music mix inspired by the bright vibes and peaceful sunsets of Florida beach city of St. Pete/Clearwater. Find it here.
Tune in to the soundtrack of Nashville, Tennessee
In Nashville - Music City, USA artists are streaming performances from their homes and Music City venues are streaming concerts with no in-house audiences. See who's playing next here. Learn about American music with the collection of interviews, interesting stories, and more on the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum YouTube Channel. You can also watch Musicians Hall of Fame Backstage Episodes online. Meanwhile, the Grand Ole Opry is streaming virtual concerts every Saturday through Circle All Access. From 8pm ET, watch favourite country music artists and discover emerging talent home, as if in the historic building itself. The world’s longest running radio show will be broadcast without an audience but will continue it’s 94-year broadcast tradition. Music City is hosting a whole bunch of other virtual attractions to entertain people from home.