Detroit, Michigan is well-known as the birthplace of Motown and techno music. With its rich musical history, Detroit offers many excellent venues to see live concerts across a variety of genres like rock, jazz, blues, hip hop, and more. Keep reading to discover some of the top concert venues in Detroit.
Quick Answers
Here are quick answers to common questions about seeing concerts in Detroit:
- Popular large venues include Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre, DTE Energy Music Theatre
- Historic venues for jazz, blues, and rock include the Majestic Theater, Cliff Bell’s, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
- College venues like the Magic Stick and St. Andrews Hall feature up-and-coming bands
- Outdoor summer concert series are held at places like Campus Martius Park and the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
- The best way to find shows is to check venue websites, local magazines, band tour dates, and social media
Major Concert Venues in Detroit
If you want to catch big-name touring acts and major concerts, Detroit has several large venues that attract top performers.
Little Caesars Arena
Little Caesars Arena is a modern indoor arena located downtown that is home to the NHL’s Red Wings and the NBA’s Pistons. It has a concert capacity of around 20,000 and has hosted stars like Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jay-Z, and Drake. Expect concerts spanning pop, rock, country, hip hop and more at this premier venue.
Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre is a beautifully restored 1928 movie palace with an ornate interior located downtown. With a capacity of 5,000, it hosts big-name acts across genres like comedy shows, Broadway musicals, rock concerts, and Motown tributes. Upcoming shows include John Mulaney and Bon Iver.
DTE Energy Music Theatre
Located in Clarkston just outside Detroit, the DTE Energy Music Theatre is an outdoor amphitheater that seats 15,000 people. Open during the summer concert season, it attracts major rock and country artists like Kenny Chesney, Dave Matthews Band, and Maroon 5.
Historic Venues for Jazz, Blues, and Rock
Detroit has several legendary venues where you can experience live music in historic spaces across genres like jazz, blues, funk, and rock.
The Majestic Theatre Complex
Dating back over 100 years, the Majestic Theatre Complex contains multiple stages and spaces hosting all types of acts. See up-and-coming indie bands at The Magic Stick, funk and electronic at The Garden Bowl, and hip hop at The Underground Lounge.
Cliff Bell’s
Open since 1935, Cliff Bell’s is a downtown jazz club with Art Deco style hosting music nightly. Catch big band swing, Dixieland jazz, blues, and more in this iconic atmosphere with dining and drinks.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge bills itself as the oldest continuously operating jazz club in the world. Opened in 1934, this historic club has hosted the likes of Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald, and more. See jazz and blues sets in a casual, intimate setting.
College Music Venues
Detroit’s college campuses also offer some excellent mid-sized concert venues focused on rock, indie, punk, and more up-and-coming acts.
The Magic Stick
Located upstairs at The Majestic Theatre complex, The Magic Stick hosts rock and indie shows in a room holding around 500 people. Punk bands like Against Me! and hip hop acts like Danny Brown are among the performers.
St. Andrew’s Hall
St. Andrew’s Hall is a concert hall located in Detroit’s entertainment district near the Fox Theatre. Dating back over 100 years, this mid-sized venue welcomes underground and emerging bands across rock, alternative, rap, EDM, and more genres.
Outdoor Summer Concert Series
When the weather warms up, you can also catch outdoor concerts in parks and amphitheaters around Detroit. These concert series bring vibrant music festivals and family-friendly shows.
Campus Martius Park
Downtown’s Campus Martius Park hosts the annual Beats on the Bricks concert series with live local music on Thursday nights in summer. Genres span rock, blues, jazz, and R&B.
Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre
Along the Detroit Riverfront, this outdoor amphitheater venues the annual River Days Festival in summer with national headlining acts. Visitors can also relax on the park grounds.
Finding Upcoming Concerts
Wondering where to look to find upcoming concerts and live music shows in Detroit? Here are some tips:
- Follow venues like Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre, and Majestic Theatre Complex on social media for event announcements
- Check alt-weekly magazines like Metro Times for local concert listings
- See show calendars on venue websites like Cliff Bell’s and Baker’s Keyboard Lounge
- Search bands’ official websites for tour dates and locations
- Use sites like Songkick and Bandsintown to track your favorite artists
- Look for outdoor concert series lineups published online and in local newspapers
- Follow radio stations, local music sites, and concert promoters on social media
Where to Stay for Concerts
If you’re traveling to Detroit for a multi-day concert or music festival, you’ll need a place to stay near the venues. Here are some good hotels and neighborhoods for concertgoers:
| Hotel | Neighborhood | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Westin Book Cadillac | Downtown | Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre, Majestic Theater |
| Inn on Ferry Street | Midtown | Majestic Theater, St. Andrew’s Hall |
| Detroit Foundation Hotel | Downtown | All downtown venues |
| Aloft Detroit | Downtown | Little Caesars Arena, Fox Theatre |
| The Siren Hotel | Downtown | St. Andrew’s Hall, sports stadiums |
Consider staying downtown if you want entertainment district convenience or Midtown for rock shows at colleges. Do research on hotel location and transportation options for your concert venues.
Getting Around Detroit for Concerts
Navigating Detroit to get to your shows can be easier with the right transportation. Here are some tips:
- Downtown is walkable between venues like Fox Theatre and Little Caesars Arena
- Consider booking hotels within walking distance of your concert locations
- The QLine streetcar runs through downtown and Midtown, connecting many venues
- SMART buses cover metro Detroit if you need to commute farther
- Bike sharing services like MoGo can also be used between venues
- Lyft and Uber operate throughout Detroit
- Parking is available at and near most larger venues
Give yourself plenty of time when traveling between shows and plan your routes ahead of time. Factor in traffic and parking if driving. Detroit offers great concert-going, especially with flexible transportation options.
Conclusion
Detroit boasts an impressive array of concert and live music venues throughout its different neighborhoods. Music fans can catch major touring acts at arenas like Little Caesars, historic jazz and blues shows at places like Cliff Bell’s, and alt rock at theaters like the Majestic and St. Andrew’s Hall. Summer brings free outdoor shows to Campus Martius Park and other amphitheaters. Use venue websites, local event listings, and band tour dates to see who’s playing during your visit. With world-class concerts, hotels nearby, and convenient transportation, Detroit offers an excellent destination for live music.
