Listen Up! Get Ready for Great Live Music in Columbus, GA

Nathan Lambrecht

With a musical legacy spanning many years and genres, Columbus, GA, continues to flourish as a hub for music. World-class venues, talented local musicians and a thriving entertainment scene all pay homage to artists of the past while building up those of the present and future. So here’s a closer look at where you can find great, toe-tapping live music in Columbus.

A Rich Legacy of Local Legends

All over Columbus, testaments to its musical past stand firm. Legends like Gertrude “Ma” Rainey and Chet Atkins lived and performed in Columbus. Rainey’s former home was transformed into the Ma Rainey House and Blues Museum, and a stretch of highway between LaGrange and Columbus has been dubbed the Chet Atkins Parkway.

Columbus has been a destination for musicians throughout the decades, hosting legends at venues all over town, from the historic Springer Opera House to the Liberty Theatre Cultural Center. The Liberty Theatre opened in 1925 as the first Black theater in Columbus. Throughout its storied history, the venue has set the stage for popular performers from Ella Fitzgerald to Duke Ellington along with hometown icons like Ma Rainey. 

“The theater not only provided entertainment but also served as a hub for the Black community in Columbus and soldiers from Fort [Moore],” says Oz Roberts, co-chair of the Liberty Theatre’s board of directors.

After years of disuse, the beloved theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and is now under the ownership of the Columbus Consolidated Government, with plans to revitalize the building. The theater will host its centennial celebration in spring 2025, celebrating the past while looking toward its future.

“The hope we have for our young people here in the Columbus community is to use the historic Liberty Theatre to once again develop homegrown talent,” Roberts says.

RiverCenter for the Performing Arts

Great Venues for Live Music in Columbus

As the music scene in Columbus continues to flourish, its future looks as promising as its past. Venues like the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts and the Columbus Civic Center attract world-renowned performers each season. 

“We’re doing things that much larger cities do in their performing arts centers and in their theaters – right here in Columbus,” says Norman Easterbrook, executive director and CEO of RiverCenter Inc. “You don’t have to travel away to experience that.”

In recent years, the RiverCenter has seen an eclectic range of performances, including rock band Foreigner, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, soprano Renée Fleming and every genre in between.

RiverCenter Inc. also prioritizes supporting local musicians, from students at Columbus State University (CSU) to the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. In partnership with the Schwob School of Music at CSU, the RiverCenter hosts a multitude of classical performances each year, a majority of which are free to attend.

Students get to perform in RiverCenter’s Legacy Hall while bringing a taste of classical music to the community. “Columbus has always been a town that’s understood the importance of the lively arts,” Easterbrook says.

Plenty of Uptown Fun

Columbus provides a stage for national as well as local talent. The annual RushSouth Music & Outdoor Festival brings national touring acts to a riverside venue where local artisans showcase their crafts. In Uptown, venues like The Loft add to the bustling entertainment scene.

“The Loft has long been a haven for local musicians looking to showcase their talent,” says Matt Kirkley, director of programming and entertainment for The Loft. “We strive to provide an environment where artists can grow, hone their craft and build a following.”

Open jam sessions on Wednesday nights create a space where emerging talent can grow alongside experienced musicians, all in front of a live audience. 

“Music has this incredible way of connecting people, and that’s what The Loft is all about – those unforgettable moments that bring us all together,” Kirkley says.