In the digital age, there are many different apps and websites that can help you stay up-to-date on upcoming concerts and live music events happening in your area. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out which one is the best fit for your needs. The key is finding an app that provides accurate and timely information, allows you to track your favorite artists and venues, and offers useful features like alerts and personalized recommendations. In this article, we will explore some of the top concert discovery apps available and look at the key factors to evaluate when deciding which one is right for you. Whether you are a live music junkie looking for your next fix, or just someone who enjoys an occasional show, having a reliable app in your pocket can ensure you never miss out on great concert experiences.
Types of Concert Discovery Apps
There are a few main types of apps that aim to help users find upcoming concerts:
Comprehensive live music databases – These apps offer extensive concert listings spanning multiple locations, dates, genres, and artists. They aggregate event data from various sources into one large database. Examples include Bandsintown, Songkick, and Fans.
Local event calendars – These apps focus on concerts happening in specific metro areas or cities. They are best for discovering hyperlocal shows at small music venues and clubs. Examples include Do415, Oh My Rockness, and Free Concerts Now.
Artist tracking apps – These apps allow you to follow your favorite musical acts and get alerts when they are playing shows near you. Examples include Bandsintown (again) and Tourbox.
Venue apps – Some concert venues have their own apps to promote their upcoming events. Examples include apps for large theaters and concert halls like Madison Square Garden and the Hollywood Bowl.
Festival apps – Apps like Festivibe and Everfest help you find details on festivals by location and genre. They cover major music festivals and smaller local festivals.
Key Features to Look For
When examining the array of concert apps available, there are several key features to evaluate:
Comprehensive database – Look for an extensive database covering concerts in multiple cities, large and small venues, major artists as well as local acts, and a wide span of genres. The more robust the database, the less likely you are to miss an event.
Advanced search and filters – The app should make it easy to customize your search with filters like location, date range, genre, venue, performers, and ticket price. Advanced search functionality ensures you find relevant results easily.
Personalization – Features like following artists, venues, and friends allow you to tailor the app experience to your taste and receive alerts on shows you care about. Location services can also customize local recommendations.
Listings for upcoming events – Having listings for concerts coming weeks or months in advance helps you get excited for what’s ahead. At minimum, the app should show upcoming events for the next week.
Real-time updates – With last minute concert announcements and cancellations, real-time updates ensure you have the latest event information. Push notifications can alert you to relevant new listings.
Ticket purchasing integration – Seamless ticket purchasing through the app via official ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster makes getting seats simple and convenient.
Social features – Options to share concert listings and see where your friends are going enhances the social experience around live events.
Venue details – Having venue addresses, maps, seating charts, and directions built into the app helps you plan your trip to the show.
Multimedia content – Photos, videos, and artist biographies enrich the app experience and get you excited about upcoming events.
Top Concert Finder Apps
Now let’s take a deeper look at some of the best apps available for finding upcoming concert events in your area:
Songkick
One of the most popular all-in-one concert discovery apps, Songkick provides an extremely comprehensive database of upcoming shows. Here are some key details:
- Details on over 5 million concerts worldwide
- Listings span 150 metro areas in the US and major cities globally
- Covers all genres from rock, pop, hip hop, alternative, jazz, classical, and more
- Let’s you track favorite artists to get alerts when they tour
- Integration with Spotify to track artists you listen to
- Advanced search filters by location, date range, genre, performers, and more
- Up-to-date listings with new shows added daily
- Detailed venue information including directions and maps
- Seamless ticket purchasing via Ticketmaster integration
- Clean, visually appealing interface
For its unparalleled breadth of concert coverage and handy tracking features, Songkick is a top choice for serious live music fans who attend shows frequently.
Bandsintown
Bandsintown is another robust concert discovery app with some unique offerings:
- Track over 600,000 touring artists and bands
- Artist tracking based on your Spotify account and Liked artists
- Personalized concert recommendations from tracked artists
- Detailed tour dates, setlists, and ticketing links
- Tour alerts and new show notifications
- RSVPs to shows and seeing which friends are going
- Playlist generator with touring artist tracks
- Polls to vote on setlists and request songs
- Chatrooms for discussing shows with other fans
Bandsintown is tailored towards users who want a more social, interactive concert experience integrated with Spotify and touring artists. Great for engaged music fans.
Fans App
The Fans App differentiates itself by focusing on small, local concerts from independent artists and venues:
- Covers underground shows not listed on major platforms
- Focuses on local scenes – battle of the bands, open mics, local band shows
- Allows anyone to submit events
- Lets you view concerts happening today, this week, or longer term
- Links to RSVP and purchase tickets
- Highlights music festivals and conventions
- Shareable concert calendars
- Allows you to save and promote favorite local venues
For fans of indie music wanting to dive into their local scene, Fans App shines in discovering smaller, under-the-radar shows.
Do415
Do415 zeroes in on the San Francisco Bay Area concert scene:
- Updated multiple times daily with new shows
- Focused on San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose metro area
- Highlights local bands alongside major touring acts
- Covers all types of live music – concerts, festivals, nightlife
- Filters by neighborhood and city
- Links for tickets and RSVPs
- Promotes free concert series
- Venue descriptions and directions
For Bay Area dwellers, Do415 provides a comprehensive guide tailored specifically to local happenings. They also offer apps focused on other metro areas like DoLA and DoNYC.
How Concert Apps Can Enhance Your Experience
Beyond just discovering what concerts are coming your way, concert apps can enrich and enhance your overall live music experience in several key ways:
Ensure You Don’t Miss Out
With busy schedules, it’s easy to be out of the loop on live music events happening in your area. Concert apps keep you clued in so you can jump on getting tickets before shows sell out. Instead of FOMO, you’re in the know.
Simplify Event Planning
When all the crucial concert details are in one place, it streamlines the entire planning process. You can quickly check dates, venues, tickets, directions, and more in one spot. No more hunting across fragmented sources trying to piece together logistics.
Receive Personalized Recommendations
By indicating your favorite artists, genres, and locations in concert apps, you can receive tailored recommendations matching your tastes. It’s like having a personal concert concierge. Discovery happens automatically.
Connect with Fellow Fans
Concert apps enable you to coordinate with friends, discuss shows on chat forums, and join other concertgoers digitally. The social nature of live music gets enhanced through shared app experiences.
Get Excited About Tours Before They Happen
There’s nothing like the thrill of anticipation before a big show. Concert apps allow you to learn tour details, watch artist videos, and chat with other fans ahead of time. You can start reliving the concert magic early.
Avoid Surprises
With real-time updates on cancellations, venue changes, and scheduling conflicts, concert apps give you time to adjust plans when necessary. You aren’t blindsided by bad news at the last minute.
Discover More Artists
Apps introduce you to new and emerging artists touring through your area that you may have otherwise been unaware of. Your musical horizons get expanded.
Go VIP
Some concert apps provide access to special offers like presale ticket codes, merchandise discounts, and chances to win backstage passes or meet and greets. You get treated like a VIP.
Key Takeaways
Here are some of the key points to remember when selecting a concert finder app:
- Look for a robust database covering concerts in your desired geographic area and music genres.
- Ensure the app has powerful search and filtering capabilities.
- Pick an app with features that match your use case – e.g. following bands, connecting with friends, local concerts, festivals, etc.
- Make sure listings are frequently updated in real-time.
- Evaluate special features like ticket integration, venue details, multimedia content.
- Consider the visual design and ease of use.
- Read user reviews to identify any potential drawbacks.
- Start with free apps and upgrade to paid versions if needed.
With an array of excellent concert finder apps now available, live music fans have never had an easier time staying aware of upcoming events and planning their concert experiences. Gone are the days of digging through fragmented listings or relying on slow email newsletters. You now hold a powerful concert discovery engine right in your pocket. So the next time your favorite band comes to town or a cool new festival pops up, you’ll be the first to know. Happy concert going!
