When it comes to discovering live events and concerts, I often find myself reaching for my phone. With the right apps, finding a concert, festival, or live performance that fits my schedule and interests is as easy as a few taps. If you’re like me and enjoy exploring the world of live entertainment, whether it’s a small local gig or a grand music festival, then you’ll appreciate having the right tools at your fingertips.
Over the years, I’ve tried several apps, each with its unique features and offerings. Some are focused on specific genres, while others cover a broader range of events. In this article, I’m going to take you through the best apps for discovering live events and concerts, based on my experience. I’ll compare these platforms, explore what sets them apart, and help you find the perfect app to suit your preferences.
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Why Use Apps to Discover Live Events?
Gone are the days when you had to rely on word-of-mouth or newspaper ads to find out about upcoming live events. These days, there are apps that can instantly tell you what’s happening in your city or wherever you are. The convenience of using these apps is unmatched—they allow you to filter events by genre, location, price, and even availability.
But why not just Google events? Well, I’ve found that apps are far more effective. They integrate real-time data, offer personalized recommendations, and often give you access to exclusive deals or tickets.
Let’s break down some of the most popular apps for discovering live events and concerts.
1. Songkick
Songkick has long been my go-to app for discovering concerts and tracking my favorite artists. What I love most about Songkick is how simple it is to use, combined with its rich features. It allows me to track artists, get notifications when they announce concerts near me, and explore upcoming shows in any city.
Songkick also aggregates concert listings from other platforms like Ticketmaster, ensuring that I don’t miss out on any tickets. The app automatically syncs with my music library, so it knows which artists I’m into, offering personalized recommendations based on my music preferences.
Key Features:
- Personalized concert alerts for your favorite artists
- Ability to track artists and get alerts when they announce new shows
- Integration with Spotify to sync your music preferences
- Access to tickets directly through the app
| Feature | Songkick | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist Tracking | Yes | Personalized alerts for new events | Limited coverage for smaller venues |
| Ticketing | Yes | Direct access to concert tickets | Sometimes high service fees |
| Genre Filters | Yes | Great for diverse musical interests | Not as effective for niche genres |
| Event Listings | Yes | Aggregates events from major platforms | Does not include all live events |
2. Bandsintown
Another app I’ve been using for years is Bandsintown. If you’re a fan of live music, you’ve probably heard of this app. It’s known for its comprehensive listings of live performances, including concerts, festivals, and even smaller, intimate gigs.
What I really enjoy about Bandsintown is the level of detail in the event descriptions. You get not only the basic information like time and venue but also interactive maps and venue details. Bandsintown also excels in connecting you with artists and venues—sometimes they’ll even offer exclusive presale tickets to users.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive event listings with maps and venue details
- Notifications about live performances from artists you follow
- Presale tickets and exclusive offers
- Social features to connect with friends about events
| Feature | Bandsintown | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artist Tracking | Yes | Alerts for new concerts from artists | Not always up-to-date with all listings |
| Ticketing | Yes | Presale access and exclusive offers | Sometimes you can’t get tickets directly |
| Genre Filters | Yes | Very comprehensive event coverage | Can be overwhelming to navigate |
| Social Features | Yes | Event sharing with friends | Can have too many notifications |
3. Eventbrite
I’ve often turned to Eventbrite for more than just concerts. It’s a great platform for discovering all sorts of live events—be it music, theater, comedy, or local festivals. Eventbrite’s user-friendly interface allows me to filter events by location, date, and category. If I want to plan a weekend getaway around a music festival, for example, Eventbrite makes it easy to see what’s happening wherever I’m traveling.
One of the things I appreciate about Eventbrite is that it also includes smaller, independent performances. You’re just as likely to find a local indie band performing at a cozy bar as you are to discover a major concert at an arena.
Key Features:
- Large variety of events, not just concerts
- Filter by categories like arts, theater, food, and more
- Option to purchase tickets directly through the app
- Event organization and promotion tools for hosts
| Feature | Eventbrite | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event Listings | Yes | Great variety, from small gigs to large festivals | Doesn’t focus solely on music concerts |
| Ticketing | Yes | Convenient ticketing options | Can sometimes charge high processing fees |
| Genre Filters | Yes | Filters by music, food, arts, etc. | Some niche events not as well represented |
| Social Features | Yes | Allows for sharing events with others | Can feel cluttered at times |
4. Live Nation
If you’re looking for a more mainstream, large-scale concert experience, Live Nation might be the app for you. As one of the biggest ticketing platforms, Live Nation offers access to concerts and events from some of the biggest names in the industry. It’s my go-to app when I want to see major artists or attend large-scale festivals.
Live Nation offers a streamlined ticketing experience, often with access to pre-sale tickets for its users. While it focuses more on larger events, the app still allows me to discover smaller concerts by filtering through various genres and locations.
Key Features:
- Access to tickets for major concerts and festivals
- Pre-sale tickets for exclusive access
- Personalized event recommendations based on past behavior
- Easy ticket purchasing and storage
| Feature | Live Nation | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event Listings | Yes | Primarily focused on large concerts | Limited focus on smaller performances |
| Ticketing | Yes | Convenient purchasing process | High service fees for some events |
| Genre Filters | Yes | Filters by genre and location | Doesn’t include all local gigs |
| Pre-sale Access | Yes | Exclusive access to early tickets | Can be too focused on commercial events |
5. StubHub
Although StubHub is best known as a secondary ticket market, it’s also an excellent tool for discovering concerts and live events. Often, I’ll browse StubHub to find tickets for sold-out shows or events that I may have missed. The app also provides event listings, so I can keep an eye on concerts and check ticket availability.
Unlike other platforms, StubHub’s focus is on reselling tickets, but it’s a great way to find tickets for hard-to-get events, especially those that are sold out on primary platforms.
Key Features:
- Access to a wide variety of tickets, including sold-out events
- Ability to search by event, date, and location
- Transparent pricing and ticket guarantees
- Mobile ticketing for convenience
| Feature | StubHub | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ticket Listings | Yes | Great for sold-out events | Focuses on resold tickets |
| Ticketing | Yes | Easy to buy and transfer tickets | Can have high markups |
| Event Listings | Yes | Includes tickets from multiple sources | Doesn’t include every event |
| Price Transparency | Yes | Clear pricing and guarantees | Limited information about the event itself |
6. The Concert App
If you’re someone who loves discovering live music in a more straightforward format, The Concert App might be what you need. I appreciate its simplicity and speed. The app pulls concert data from multiple sources and organizes it based on location, genre, and proximity.
What makes The Concert App stand out is its focus on offering event details without unnecessary distractions. It’s a no-frills experience that suits anyone who just wants to find live music and buy tickets quickly.
Key Features:
- Simple, fast, and clean interface
- Focuses only on concerts and live music
- Filters by genre, date, and location
- Quick access to tickets
| Feature | The Concert App | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event Listings | Yes | Focus on live music only | Limited to concerts, not other events |
| Ticketing | Yes | Direct ticket links | Lacks social features |
| Genre Filters | Yes | Narrowed down to music genres | Doesn’t include many niche artists |
| Simplicity | Yes | Fast and easy to navigate | May not offer enough details for some users |
Conclusion
When it comes to discovering live events and concerts, the choice of app depends largely on what you’re looking for. Whether you prefer the simplicity of The Concert App, the detailed event listings of Eventbrite, or the personalized artist alerts on Songkick, there’s no shortage of tools to help you stay in the loop.
After trying all these apps, I’ve found that the best one for me depends on the type of event I’m attending. If I’m looking for a big-name concert or festival, I’ll usually turn to Live Nation or Songkick. For more indie shows or smaller local events, I turn to Bandsintown or Eventbrite. And when I want to score tickets to sold-out shows, StubHub is always a reliable go-to.
The beauty of these apps is that they complement each other, giving you a wide variety of ways to explore live events and concerts. The more you use them, the better they get at understanding your preferences, making it easier to find the perfect live experience. Happy exploring!
