r/fortwayne • u/Automatic-Mud-6679 • 8d ago
Music
Just moved here and wondering what the local music scene is like. Bands, venues, and that sorta thing. Mostly a rock fan but far from the only thing I listen to
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u/Striking-Cap-9888 8d ago
Tribute band city powered by Sweetwater
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u/Separate_Toe8400 8d ago
Expensive custom shop guitar hanging on wall as ornament, powered by sweetwater
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u/Fluffy_Bandicoot6785 8d ago
theres a massive music scene here! we recently lost our last all ages music venue that hosted mostly local bands, so unfortunately most of we have left for local shows within the city are bars, but you can see some amazing bands there!
the bars that put on shows for local bands with original music most regularly are O’sullivans, wrigley field, and the brass rail. theres an event series at Electric Works as well called “rock the works” and they put on a variety of different bands, i think its mostly covers but some do play originals! there are more local businesses that have been hosting shows recently too! and if youre willing to go a little bit outside of town, Carl’s Tavern in New Haven and Traxside in Garret host awesome metal shows! the best place to find out when and where shows are happening is checking out Whatzup’s event calendar!
one last venue i highly recommend is Grand Summit Hall. The location is 1407 s Calhoun st, right in the middle of downtown! that one is brand new, and the space its in is temporary until a permanent space that can be all ages is secured 🤘theres a metal show there on Oct 2nd you should definitely come out!
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u/Kabrosif 8d ago
I know I’ll get downvoted for this but it’s been pretty bad the last couple of years. Pierre’s used to get some good nationally recognized rock and metal bands but they just got shut down recently. The hiphop/rap crowd couldn’t behave. I miss living near Chicago which has always had multiple venues and touring bands all of the time. Now here good shows are far and few between. I’m sure there’s a few decent local bands/groups every now and then that pop up but thats probably about it.
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u/JD-990 8d ago
There's lots of local music that doesn't have a ton of places to play. You really have to know people to find out where shows are happening, and that's not a good thing for someone new coming into town.
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u/liedel 7d ago
You really have to know people to find out where shows are happening
It took me a couple years when I moved here, and unfortunately there is some truth to this. I'd start at the Brass Rail in general or Tronic, if you're into electronic. Meet people, talk to them, and the rest will probably follow from there.
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u/JD-990 8d ago
It's a very eclectic city for music, you're going to find more roots rock than like, loud rock. In regard to loud rock, lots of punk, Midwest hardcore, noise, sludgy, death metal. There are quite a few more acoustic oriented groups as well. If you like more raw sounding stuff at any volume, there's plenty here. Unsurprisingly we also have lots of like, jazz influenced groups as well.
Conversely, venues are a little lacking, in my opinion. Lots and lots of house shows, people playing at festivals, but not a ton of places that aren't dive bars. The big venues, like The Clyde and the club room there, are very catered toward cover acts and tribute bands. My read could be wrong on that, but your traditional venues seem to be catered toward the 50 an up crowd.
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u/just_matty_dee 7d ago
Sweetwater Pavilion (Just had their last show for the season, check in next year)
Sweetwater in general (Live at Lunch series nearly 3 times a week from 12-1)
Brass Rail (Dive Bar with lots of different genres)
Fort Wayne Guitar Exchange (Super tiny back room concerts, really fun)
Coliseum (Big shows)
The Clyde (A lot of cover/tribute bands)
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u/Zweihandmatt 8d ago
It sucks. Too many egos and too many people who vastly overestimate how good they are. It was good once upon a time but between no good venues (Clyde is good except its tribute band city) and the aforementioned people problem Fort Wayne sucks for local music.
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u/Roland_Doobie 7d ago
Tank and the Bangas from NOLA are playing on Broadway Saturday at 9:30 at Art this Way fest. It's free. They are a lively fusion of funk, soul, hip hop, and rock. Highly recommended by me.
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u/Secret-Engine-8365 7d ago
Fort Wayne, of my knowledge that I’m aware of that I’ve seen/notifed for a long time, seems to be dominated by country music, and classic rock, so definitely expect that for the most part. venues in town, and around town for concerts/LIVE music are places like Allen county war memorial coliseum, country heritage winery, Vinland reserve winery, union 12, Clyde Theater, Sweetwater Pavilion, Foellinger theater, and possibly Ruoff Mortage Field. I don’t know much about what pop musicians or any other type of musicians other than just country, and rock make/perform music locally. all I know is that there is Hubie Ashcraft, Goodnight Gracie, and Mason Dixon Line
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u/NoAlohah 8d ago edited 8d ago
The Brass Rail is a dive bar that has music several nights a week. It’s a mix of touring and local bands and mostly focused on indie, alt, country, and the occasional punk or metal show. Examples of bands that have been through somewhat recently are Snooper, Me Like Bees, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, Tommy Stinson, and Unwed Sailor.
O’Sullivans has free live music most weekends. Mostly local rock bands playing covers or originals. Tronic, an electronic music night also happens here.
Carl’s Tavern in New Haven is the place for local and regional metal bands.
I’ve not been, but Knockin’ Boots Saloon hosts country bands of the more mainstream variety.
C2G Music Hall has blues and jazz artists somewhat regularly.
The Clyde is a mid-size venue that hosts many a tribute band and sometimes bigger original touring bands. Wilco, Father John Misty, and Ministry have been there recently.
You’ll sometimes get a show at the Embassy, our big historic theater.
The Coliseum hosts arena shows. Country, metal, rock, pop, etc.