As the largest city in the Pacific Northwest and the state of Washington, Seattle has had a profound influence on the state’s music culture. Beginning in the early 1910s, it had established a strong music scene during the Jazz Age. Seattle’s numerous jazz clubs influenced the careers of music icons like Quincy Jones, Ernestine Anderson and Ray Charles.
The seaport city is also renowned as the birthplace of grunge culture and music. Many smaller, more intimate Seattle concert venues served as the starting point for major bands like Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam and more. Alternative and rock genres aside, Seattle has also birthed famed musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Macklemore and Sir Mix-a-Lot
A major hub where cultures collide, it is no surprise that this city has a rich music history that has continued to grow and thrive throughout the years. From punk rock to country and pop to hip-hop, you can find it all in Seattle. Read on to learn about these popular Seattle concert venues and the wide variety of music acts that you can enjoy live.
The Showbox
Founded as the Showbox Theatre in 1939, The Showbox has been a long-standing staple in the city of Seattle. Located at 1426 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101, this concert venue has seen the likes of Duke Ellington, the Ramones and Muddy Waters perform within its walls. The Showbox has been renamed several times and acted as a comedy club, lounge and supper club.
In 2018, when discussions arose about converting the concert hall into an apartment complex, Seattle musician natives like Duff McKagan, Macklemore, Pearl Jam and others voiced their opposition and lent their support to preserve it. A petition with more than 100,000 signatures granted the former theatre its current name and in 2019, it was designated as a Historic Seattle Landmark.
Enjoy a variety of acts like Bishop Briggs, All Time Low and $uicideboy$ at this concert hall that has withstood the test of time.
Neumos
The Neumos Crystal Ball Reading Room, commonly known as Neumos (pronounced “New Moe’s”) is a mid-size music venue at 925 E Pike St, Seattle, WA 98122. It first opened as Moe’s Mo’Roc’N Café in 1992 and was revamped in 2003 with its current name to pay tribute to its past. This music venue has continued to be a great setting for a wide range of acts across different genres including Adele, Muse, Diplo and The Avett Brothers.
The beloved Washington music room underwent a major renovation in 2017, increasing its capacity to 650 persons and features three bars, a second-floor mezzanine and a balcony that overlooks the stage as well as a state-of-the-art sound system. Neumos also puts on special themed events like Emo Nite or Mamma Mia – An ABBA Dance Party.
With Neumos tickets, you’ll be set to enjoy a bevy of local and national music groups like Meet Me At the Altar, Better Than Ezra, Genesis Owusu and more.
Tractor Tavern
Tractor Tavern is an intimate 21+ music club and bar, situated at 5213 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107. It opened up in 1994 and can hold around 400 people in total within a standing-room arrangement. The Tractor Tavern features all kinds of music from folk to country to reggae to rock. The venue is a good choice for people wanting to experience great music that isn’t played on repeat on the radio. You can enjoy performances from local musicians along with artists like Tom Russell, Molly Burch, Allison Russell and Aaron Crawford.
The Tractor Tavern is one of the music venues in the neighborhood that hosts Seattle’s Freakout Fest, a yearly fall music festival that has been running for more than 11 years. The venue also hosts drag shows and monthly flea markets, where guests can shop for art, jewelry and clothing by local makers and try dishes from local culinary establishments. Make sure to check out the Tractor Tavern and enjoy its live music sets and community events.
The Crocodile
This Seattle music club has been a staple in the city’s music scene for more than 30 years. The Crocodile opened its doors in 1991 as a 550-capacity venue called the Crocodile Cafe. Two Washington-based bands, The Posies and Love Battery, were the first to perform at the club. In its initial 16-year run, Crocodile Cafe saw the likes of Father John Misty, Nirvana, The Strokes and other prominent music acts grace its stage.
The Crocodile closed in 2007, but thanks to the efforts of the local community and musicians from groups like Alice in Chains and Portugal. The Man, the venue was revived. The newly dubbed Crocodile Cafe, or The Croc for some, would reopen in 2009 after a much-needed remodeling.
In 2021, the music club moved to 2505 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121. The new location contained more space to host up to 1,150 people. The Croc now features a showroom, sit-down theatre, restaurant and small hotel. Ranked by Rolling Stone in 2013 as the seventh-best club in the country, The Crocodile is a great spot to see international acts like Billie Eilish and Sleater-Kinney as well as newcomers to the music scene.
Seattle Theatre Trio
Paramount Theatre
This downtown theatre at 911 Pine St, Seattle, WA 98101, opened as the Seattle Theatre in 1928. Initially founded as a movie and vaudeville show venue, as the years went by the Paramount Theatre expanded its repertoire to host local family-friendly events, comedy shows, silent film series and Broadway productions.
The 2,800-seat theatre has hosted concerts by famous artists like Madonna, Tenacious D, Queen and Pink Floyd. Get your tickets and enjoy a variety of entertainment including concerts from Lil Yachty and Tate McRae.
It joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and is also a City of Seattle landmark. The not-for-profit Seattle Theatre Group manages The Paramount as well as the Moore Theatre and the Neptune Theatre in Seattle.
Neptune Theatre
The Neptune Theatre opened its doors in 1921 as the U-Neptune Theatre at 1303 NE 45th St, Seattle, WA 98105. The three-story venue hosted film screenings, theatre productions, dance performances and concerts. This unique theatre is nautical-themed and features a boat-shaped concession stand, statues of the sea god, Neptune and bold marble finishings.
After renovations in the 1940s and the theatre expanded to hold 1,000 people. During several management changes, kept afloat with frequent showings of the cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show throughout the ‘70s. Don’t miss out on seeing exciting performances by the Seattle Rock Orchestra, Blonde Redhead, the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre and much more.
Moore Theatre
The Moore Theatre is Seattle’s oldest theatre and resides at 1932 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. Having been in operation since 1907, the theatre primarily served as a social gathering place for Seattle’s wealthy and elite communities. In the present day, the 1,800-seat theatre serves as an arts and music venue for all locals, with a rotating event schedule filled with lectures, concerts and theatre productions.
Notable past performances that have been held at Moore Theatre include concerts by The Who and James Blunt along with comedy shows by Jo Koy, Wanda Sykes and Taylor Tomlinson. Don’t miss out on seeing shows by the likes of Liz Phair, Adekunle Gold, Hayes Carll, Switchfoot and others with Moore Theatre tickets.
Seattle Arenas and Stadiums
Climate Pledge Arena
Climate Pledge Arena opened in 2018 at 334 1st Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109. The multi-purpose indoor arena is home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and the Seattle University Redhawks basketball team. It has hosted the Pac-12 Conference’s women’s basketball team and was previously known for being the home of the former Seattle SuperSonics of the NBA.
The arena underwent a $1.15 billion renovation in 2018 and its capacity increased to more than 17,000 for ice hockey games and 18,300 for basketball games. The 750,000 sq. ft. arena has seen major concerts by stars like The Beatles, Destiny’s Child, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and most recently in 2021, Death Cab for Cutie and Foo Fighters.
Lumen Field
Lumen Field is the largest concert venue in the city with a capacity of up to 72,000. Residing at 800 Occidental Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134, the 325,000 sq. ft. stadium broke ground in 1996 and opened to the public in 2002. The stadium is home to the NFL Seahawks and the MLS Sounders and has also hosted finals for the 2010 and 2011 U.S. Open Cup and the CONCACAF Champions League in 2022. Lumen Field is also one of the venues that will host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans have packed the stadium to see acts like Metallica, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran live. The latter performer’s concert set a record attendance in the stadium of more than 77,000. Lumen Field has also broken several world records for having the loudest crowd roar.
T-Mobile Park
Another one of the city’s larger concert venues is T-Mobile Park, located at 1250 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134. The retractable roof stadium has a seating capacity of nearly 48,000 people and is the home field of the Seattle Mariners baseball team. It was known as Safeco Field until 2018 when its naming rights deal ended.
Along with Mariners games, the stadium has also been used for high school baseball championships, the 2001 Seattle Bowl and WrestleMania in 2003, an event which had a record attendance of 54,000. T-Mobile Park will host the 2024 NHL Winter Classic in January, with the Seattle Kraken and Vegas Golden Knights.
Classic artists like Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, The Beach Boys and The Who have performed at this stadium along with newer acts like Beyonce, OneRepublic and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Make sure to catch the next Mariners game or a major concert live with T-Mobile Park tickets.
Other Popular Seattle Concert Venues
Below are some additional venues for live concerts in Seattle that you should check out:
- Triple Door
- Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
- Vera Project
- Sunset Tavern
Enjoy Live Music in Seattle
No matter which of these concert venues you decide to visit, TicketSmarter has hundreds of Seattle concert tickets available to suit your live music needs. Make sure to check out HotelPlanner for exclusive Seattle travel deals.
