Music

If it sounds dramatic to say live music is the lifeblood of Bend, you probably haven’t lounged on the grass with a cold beer in hand while watching a grammy-winning band take the stage at the Les Schwab Amphitheater.

But that’s really just the tip of the ice berg when it comes to Bend’s music scene. Take in a show at the historic Tower Theatre, or groove to free tunes in Drake Park during the Munch & Music free concert series on summer Thursdays.

Prefer a different sort of melody? OperaBend and the High Desert Chamber Music bring their own unique sounds to Bend’s music scene. If jazz is your jam, both the Oxford Hotel and the Riverhouse offer popular jazz series in the winter months.

Plenty of breweries along the Bend Ale Trail boast fabulous live music scenes (not to mention killer craft beer you can sip while you bop). Visit Bend’s Event Calendar is a great place to look for the latest lineup. You’ll also discover great music in a surprising array of unique venues like the popular summer music series at the Athletic Club of Bend (which attracts top performers like the John Butler Trio and The Shins).

And of course, the Les Schwab Amphitheater is the crown jewel of the city’s music scene, featuring a jam-packed summer lineup that runs from May to October. Previous performers have included the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, Paul Simon, Norah Jones, Alabama Shakes, Heart, the Decemberists, and tons more.