Have you heard of our magazine? This publication has a lot of great information about Hyannis, the Islands, and Hy-Line. So many beautiful images and articles packed with information that is really valuable to visitors. You can read the magazine here, or pick it up at any Hy-Line location.
We wanted to showcase one of our favorite articles from this issue. Enjoy!
Where to Find Live Music on the Cape
When traveling, there are cities associated with great music: Nashville, Las Vegas, Austin, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
If you are a lover of live music, you are in for a treat on our little peninsula. You’ll be able to find extraordinary live bands seven nights a week, year-round. Cherry on top – most choices are happening late afternoon or early evening, so you don’t have to wait until late night to go out!
From free outdoor music in community parks to traditional Irish sessions in cozy pubs to national headliners, a variety of music venues await the music lover.
In Hyannis, a family favorite is the Summer Sounds Concert Series in Aselton Park, overlooking Hyannis Harbor. Every Tuesday and Friday at 6:00pm through the summer, bring blankets, chairs, pack some snacks and dance barefoot in the grass to the best live local bands… and it’s free!
All over the country, craft brew and local breweries are popular “attractions” in any destination. We have a couple of favorites. At Cape Cod Beer in Hyannis, not only will you find amazing live music four times a week, they have Dollar Wing Thursday and Fish Fry Friday (both with JP’s Twisted BBQ food truck), ticketed after-hours concerts, music bingo, and guided tours! Another favorite is Naukabout Brewing Company in Mashpee. This lakeside, woodsy location is a great choice to relax and unwind with love music multiple times per week, backyard games, special event movie nights and comedy nights!
How about cruising on the water, watching the sunset, going out with your friends, having a few cocktails, enjoying a great live local band? We’d say YES, ABSOLUTELY! Join Hy-Line on a Live Music Cruise down the Cape Cod Canal, from the Onset Town Pier. This cruise is a fan favorite for visitors, locals, and even the bands! These cruises are 21+ and are available on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer. Prefer to do this with the family? Hy-Line also has an all-ages Friends and Family Live Music Cruise on Sunday afternoons all summer too.
If you are looking for an opportunity to see some National touring bands, the Cape has it! In the summer, the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis. This tent-theatre, and her sister theatre (South Shore Music Circus), are the only two continuously operated tent theatres in the round, in the country. Noteworthy acts you will see include REO Speedwagon, Umphrey’s McGee, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, The Doobie Brothers, Lainey Wilson, ZZ Top, Yacht Rock Revue, and so much more! Another fairly new opportunity is The Music Room in Yarmouth. Calling itself, “a next-generation venue that will showcase the greatest live VIP musical experiences” is no lie. And they are open year-round! You will be up close and personal with outstanding national acts, tribute bands, and the cream of the crop in local talent! You should just go.
For those of us who love and appreciate an unrehearsed, unpolished, open jam showcase, there are two right choices for you, year-round. And they are both free! At The Music Room, every other Wednesday at 8:00pm, join local supergroup Funktapuss as they host a pro jam collaborating with musicians from all over with all different skill levels, and sometimes special guests. Every Sunday at 8:00pm, join Fred Clayton as he hosts his weekly blues jam at O’Shea’s Olde Inne in Dennis. This right here, folks… we can’t say enough about Fred, his band, the staff and culture at O’Shea’s. You may not choose to be on stage, but with the friendly atmosphere you will at least like you are a part of it, if not actually a local for a little while. Also, worth noting – O’Shea’s has live music seven days a week, and sometimes two bands a day! There is no wrong choice.
Visiting the Islands? Not as much territory as the Cape, but here are our favorites:
Live Music Venues on Nantucket
The Rose and Crown is our favorite choice because of their convenient, downtown location. Come enjoy creative cocktails and delicious scratch-made cuisine while you enjoy the best live, local bands Nantucket has to offer.
The brewery phenomenon we mentioned – look no further than to the most magical place on earth: Cisco Brewers. Located 2-1/2 miles out of town (there is a shuttle from Nantucket Visitor Services), Cisco features not only a brewery, but a winery and distillery (we know!). Located next to Bartlett’s Farm, grab a beverage, snack from the food truck, listen to live music and enjoy the vibe.
If your preference is the nightclub scene, look no further than The Chicken Box. Simply put, their roadhouse-like atmosphere sets the stage for a good time: live music, including some national touring acts, and lots of dancing. We encourage you to look up the history of The Chicken Box… it’s very cool.
Live Music Venues on Martha’s Vineyard
The Loft, in Oak Bluffs, is the island’s premiere venue for concerts, comedy, DJs and private events. Enjoy live music 5 nights a week and find out why the locals rave about the pizza, pool, friendly staff and of course, music!
The Ritz Café (also in Oak Bluffs) is a historic dive bar and nightclub with live music year-round. Their house band (every Wednesday!), Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish, specializes in bluesy dance music. Since 1944, The Ritz Café is home to live music, local musicians, and a community of islanders.
The Wharf Pub in Edgartown features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, year-round. With a tradition of connecting locals and tourists, this is the spot in Edgartown for fresh seafood, friendly staff and live music on weekends.
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