Music in Northampton MA

When you think colleges in Massachusetts, most likely, you first think of the Boston area which is home to more institutions of higher learning than any city really should be. But out in the western part of the state, the Northampton area is also college-central (5 college town) with UMASS-Amherst, Amherst College, Smith College, Mt Holyoke College, and Hampshire College all in the vicinity. Bottom line: where there’s college, there’s live music venues. And the Northampton area is known for being something of a New England live venue mecca with people coming in from all over the country.

Many of the live music venues in Northampton, MA are connected to Iron Horse Entertainment Group. These venues include The Iron Horse Music Hall which has a scheduled filled with live rock and blues acts, some with familiar names, others less familiar. The Pearl Street Nightclub  host similar acts, more favoring rock acts and groups for the teen set. They have a running battle of the bands-types series. The Basement (used to be Bishop’s Lounge, 41 Strong Ave, 413-586-8900) offers live entertainment every night. Live music events include a weekly singer/songwriter night and performances by local bands. Blues hold center stage on Mondays. Jazz, reggae, roots, folk, comedy and rock acts can also be heard here. Cover charges are low in the $5 range. No cover on Mondays. Also DJ dancing with R&B on Sat night (my fave).

Also in Northampton is The Elevens and Tully O’Reilly (140 Pleasant St., 413-586-9155). This venue has live acts encompassing “independent, local, regional, national and underground performers” playing blues, jazz, rock of various categories, according to its website. On Fridays and Saturdays, live bands play exclusively. On Mondays, live bands share the spotlight with a DJ. Singer/Songwriters perform on Sundays. Minimum age for entrance: 21. Cover charges vary from night to-night.

I addition to all that VFWs, yoga studios, coffee shops, piano bars, and street musicians of all kinds.