Tours and festivals are being announced left and right for what’s shaping up to be an epic year of live entertainment. As you begin to add must-see artists to your calendar, why not add some must-visit venues to the bucket list, too? If you’re lucky, your favorite acts may even grace these stages for the ultimate live music experience. From a penitentiary to a lime kiln, check out these 10 unique concert venues in the South.
Horse Pens 40
Steele, Alabama
The self-proclaimed “South’s Best Kept Secret,” and I might have to agree. A popular place to rock climb and hike, Horse Pens 40’s rich history encapsulates 15,000 years of human habitation. The giant stone outcroppings, springs, streams, and vegetation throughout the park have provided shelter and sustenance for over 8,000+ years of consistent human use. And you can feel the magic of this natural place when the music starts.
From the 1950s to the 1970s, it became the site of one of the largest bluegrass festivals in the world. Famous musicians like EmmyLou Harris (who first played there at 16 years old) got their start here, and nearly every notable bluegrass player has graced the stone-flanked stage. While original festival crowds sometimes grew uncontrollably to more than 10,000, today, Horse Pens 40 has more modern amenities, vendors, cabins, and more.
Wolf Trap
Vienna, Virginia
Researcher and philanthropist Catherine Filene Shouse donated the land and funds to the U.S. government in 1966 to build the remarkable Filene Center. Wolf Trap Farm became Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, bringing Shouse’s remarkable cultural vision to the D.C. area for half a century.
In a unique marriage of art and nature, the National Park Service works hand-in-hand with the nonprofit Wolf Trap Foundation to manage the pristine 117-acre park. The grounds have multiple venues and buildings, but the main event is the wood-laden Filene Center. It’s a jaw-dropping architectural feat that blends in with its natural surroundings. Barns at Wolf Trap, Filene Center, and the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods all have shows coming up.
The Burl
Lexington, Kentucky
The Burl was originally built in 1926 as a loading dock and business hub for Texaco Oil. Today, its central location in the historic Lexington Distillery District makes it a popular spot for fans and bands alike. The original wood frame building and inviting, open-air layout create a lively space for many genres of music. This venue puts on about 300 nights of music a year, so you’re likely to find a show for you in the heart of the Bluegrass.
The Caverns
Pelham, Tennessee
Prehistoric natural acoustics and mystical beauty fill this subterranean music mecca. Experts think humans have used the cave to escape the elements and enjoy community for up to 25,000 years. Come before the show for a guided tour of the three-football-fields-long underground room that ends up on the stage where thousands of performers have played to crowds of up to 1,200.
The underground concert hall is equipped with state-of-the-art sound, plus lights and lasers that display mesmerizing patterns across the rocky walls around you. And thanks to the gentle slope of the room, there is not a bad seat (or standing spot) in the cave. Above ground, The Caverns Amphitheater opened last year and can fit crowds of up to 5,500 guests with stunning views of the Cumberland Plateau. Keep an eye on the calendar — they will likely throw 30 shows this year!
The Momentary
Bentonville, Arkansas
Set within the wooded beauty of the Ozarks, the Momentary is a venue like none other. The Momentary and the adjacent Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art sit on 120 lush acres, and you could easily spend a whole day eating and exploring here before a show.
One of their most popular annual events is FreshGrass: a two-day festival spanning multiple outdoor stages, courtyards, and galleries of the Momentary. Aside from the music, you can view the galleries and exhibits for free, enjoy lots of activities, taste local food and drinks, and shop local wares. The 2023 lineup features Caamp, Mavis Staples, Sierra Ferrell, The Del McCoury Band, Tank and the Bangas, and more.
Rabbit Rabbit
Asheville, North Carolina
During the pandemic, a few key entertainment players realized that Asheville needed a larger, centrally located outdoor music venue. Orange Peel Events and Asheville Brewing Co. came together to create a brightly colored space filled with twinkling lights, great food and drinks vendors, and incredible bands like My Morning Jacket, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and more. With over an acre of space right on the busting South Slope, Rabbit Rabbit puts on a seasonal schedule of adults-only concerts, family-friendly events, and daytime craft markets.
Lime Kiln Theater
Lexington, Virginia
In 1967, two Washington and Lee University students decided to put on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in an abandoned limestone quarry and kiln in their college mountain town of Lexington, Virginia. The landowner donated the use of this turn-of-the-century site to a nonprofit arts organization about fifteen years later. It took thousands of volunteer hours to clear the brambles and debris, and a limestone-flanked theater and concert venue was born.
From 1984’s first successful summer season, the Lime Kiln Theater triumphed for 25 years — closing in 2012 to 2013 during financial unrest. Since 2014, and with a new board, 45,000 people across 80 concerts have experienced summer shows in this magical alcove.
Matilda’s Music Under The Pines
Milton, Georgia
Tucked away in a thick pine forest near Alpharetta, Georgia, is a funky little venue called Matilda’s. The venue’s Instagram bio sums up the allure perfectly: “eclectic, cool, artsy, folky outdoor listening room/music venue at the crossroads in beautiful Milton, Georgia.” Tables can be snagged day-of-show on a first-come-first-served basis, or you can bring your own chairs and create a tablescape of snacks, beer, and wine to enjoy during the show. Matilda’s harkens back to backyard concerts of the past and encourages attendees to give the artist undivided, silent attention.
Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary
Petros, Tennessee
For decades, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary wasn’t just a jail — it was a working, inmate-run coal mine. Tennessee began leasing prisoners to labor in 1866, and by 1891, the decision led to outrage and the bloody Coal Creek War. But the government prevailed, and construction began on the state’s first maximum-security prison: Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.
By 1896, inmates were building the railroad spur and original wooden prison structure with their own hands. Many hauntingly horrific things happened there, and it was home to famous killers like James Earl Ray and Paul Dennis Reid. Today, you can tour the prison and attend some top-notch concerts during the spring and summer months.
Festival Concert Hall
Round Top, TX
Upon first glance, you’d think Round Top’s Festival Concert Hall belongs in an elegant 1800s European city. But construction began on the 1,000-seat concert hall in 1981. It’s got luxurious boxes, Gothic panels, and materials that have come from far and wide. The phenomenal acoustics, ornate woodwork, grand staircases, and hand-strung chandeliers make this venue a design lover’s dream. Come early to roam the gardens and learn about the venue’s history — there is so much to do in this small Texas town!
We’ll see you in the crowd at these bucket-list-worthy venues this year!
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