1. Dayton is an important city in music history

Funk Legends the Ohio Players got their start in Dayton

Unknown to many Dayton residents, Dayton Ohio has played an important part in music history spanning many different genres. Perhaps most notably of all are Dayton’s contributions to funk music. Many notable funk musicians have called Dayton, Ohio home at some point, including the

Ohio Players, Zapp, and many more. In fact, Dayton’s contribution to funk music has been so significant the Funk Music Hall of Fame decided to make its home on 3rd Street right in the heart of downtown. Apart from Funk, many prominent musicians across various genres hail from Dayton.

Some notable examples include the prominent psychedelic rock band The Werks, and Richie Furay, one of the founding members of the Rock and Roll hall of fame inducted band, Buffalo Springfield.

2. Dayton has great music venues

Downtown Dayton’s Levitt Pavilion

One of Dayton’s music scene’s best assets has to be the variety of great venues the Dayton area has to offer. When it comes to Dayton’s music venues it is hard not to mention Dayton’s historic Oregon district. Home to many great venues such as The Yellow Cab Tavern, Blind Bob’s, Tumbleweed Connection, and many more, Dayton’s Oregon District is a one-stop shop when it comes to finding great local music. If the Oregon district isn’t for you there is no need to worry because when the warm weather comes around, the Dayton area is also home to some amazing

outdoor venues. Located in Huber Heights and Kettering respectively, each summer the Rose Music Center and the Fraze Pavilion provides the Dayton area with a variety of nationally touring acts that all can enjoy. On top of all that the recently opened Levitt Pavillion will be offering free concerts all summer long.

3. Seeing live music can be a very affordable night out

Unlike other cities, where a night out can cost you an arm and a leg, a night out in Dayton is much more affordable. Dayton is a city where the cover charge at a bar featuring live music is rarely over $10 and some small venues even offer discounts for paying for admittance in advance. Pair that with the fact that the average price of a drink in Dayton is much smaller than in many cities, a night out going to see live music can a cheap experience, especially if you are not a heavy drinker. To top it off, if no one you’re out with wishes to be the designated driver, thanks to the rideshare apps Lyft and Uber it is possible for everyone to get home safely at a reasonable cost.

4. Dayton has a huge depth of talent

Perhaps the biggest secret about Dayton’s music scene is how much local talent Dayton has. From the masterful blues guitarists Doug Hart and Noah Wotherspoon, to the original rock of The 1984 Draft and The Boxcar Suit, to the skillful cover bands The Road Eyes and The Great Northern String Band, and everything in between, Dayton has it all. A night out seeing one of Dayton’s many talented local musicians rarely leaves one disappointed. The easiest way to discover all the talent Dayton’s musicians have to offer is to just simply go out and see a show.