Tucson Live Music Venues
Since its inception in 1919, the Rialto Theatre has run the gamut from leading community theater, to Spanish language theater, to adult film theater. Thankfully the Rialto has been revamped and now offers a wide variety of musical genres. While one Thursday evening might offer a traditional Irish band, Tuesday night may be a hip hop group, and Saturday will find mosh pit enthusiasts rocking away to a heavy metal band. The Rialto Theatre is located at 318 East Congress Street in historic downtown Tucson. You can check their current schedule at http://www.rialtotheatre.com/events.php, or call 520.740.1000 for more information.
Club Congress is another hip downtown offering. Part of the notable Hotel Congress (John Dillinger and his gang lodged there prior to being arrested in 1934), the club has earned the title of “one of the ten best rock clubs in the United States.” Genres represented here range from pop rock to retro to rockabilly to rap and more. The dance floor is always banging, so wear your comfortable shoes. Club Congress is to be found at 311 East Congress Street. Their phone number is 520.622.8848, or call toll-free at 1-800-722-8848. A current schedule is posted online at http://www.hotcong.com/club, and tickets can even be purchased via Paypal.
City Limits, at 6350 East Tanque Verde Road, is touted as being the areas newest, most intimate concert venue. The club, which seats up to 550 patrons, hosts a myriad of performers. Past entertainers include 38 Special, Kid Rock, George Thorogood, and Billy Bob Thornton. To find out about upcoming concerts call 520.733.6262 or go online to http://www.citylimitstucson.com.
Itching to slip on those cowboy boots and slide onto the dance floor for some two-stepping? The Cactus Moon Cafe is the place for you. Cactus Moon offers a 986 person seating capacity, and lots of well-known singers and bands, often performing acoustically. Centrally located at 5470 East Broadway Boulevard, just south of Craycroft, you can contact the Cactus Moon Cafe by calling 520.748.0049.
Another local favorite for rootin’, tootin’ live country music is The Maverick (“king of clubs since 1962!”). Local country and western favorites can be heard several nights every week. Check out their schedule on The Maverick’s website, http://www.mavericktucson.com, or by giving them a holler at 520.298.0430.
The awfully hip Plush, situated on diverse Fourth Avenue, offers an aptly eclectic mix of musicians. Check their calendar because there is certain to be something for everyone – from psych rock to jazz to acid to emo – an almost unheard of five to seven nights every week! And if the music doesn’t pull you in, the swank surroundings surely will. Plush’s calendar is viewable online at http://www.plushtucson.com or call 520.798.1298. Better yet, drop on in to 340 East 6th Street, right on the southwest corner of 6th Street and 4th Avenue.
This list could go on and on but by now you’ve certainly found some entertainment to suit your fancy. So what are you waiting for? Go take in some marvelous music!
