Music Events

From the biggest names in pop to open mic nights showcasing promising local talent, whatever sounds you're into, Bournemouth has something that’s right on pitch.

We’ve got a whole host of venues in and around the resort. There are large, world-class concert venues, like the Bournemouth International Centre and Lighthouse – Poole’s Centre for the Arts, as well as theatres in the heart of the resort. And not to mention, a whole host of cool and quirky pubs and clubs in our coastal villages of Boscombe, Southbourne, and Westbourne. So, there are plenty of places to catch your favourite artists.

At the forefront of the live music scene is the legendary O2 Academy Bournemouth. Located in Boscombe, this iconic venue is a must-visit for music fans, boasting an incredible year-round calendar of chart-topping bands, international touring acts, and world-class club nights.

Bournemouth International Centre offers a stellar line-up throughout the year, featuring tour dates for some of the world’s most famous pop and rock recording artists. The Pavilion Theatre welcomes touring opera companies and hit West End musicals, as well as jaw-dropping tribute acts from Bob Marley to David Bowie.

Adding to the mix, Boscombe's eclectic and bohemian vibe lends itself to open mic nights and intimate gigs from some of the best rising acoustic and rock'n'roll talent as well as DJ sessions.

The Lighthouse in Poole is also home to one of Bournemouth’s greatest exports, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Their exhaustive diary of performance dates and outreach projects around the country makes them one of the most in-demand classical orchestras in the UK, and if you’re quick, you can nab tickets to see them on home turf performing alongside world-famous soloists.

There are also live screenings from the world’s greatest opera houses at the Regent Centre in Christchurch and the Lighthouse in Poole.

But music doesn’t only take place at Bournemouth’s renowned indoor venues. We put on hundreds of festivals and events throughout the year, many featuring live stage performances from local bands and artists. Indeed, Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival includes a live music programme, so you can bring the family down and dance in the resort’s historic gardens bathed in autumn sun.

So, whether it’s groundbreaking new sounds or a trip down memory lane with your favourite musical throwbacks, tune in to our line-up and make sure you’ve got front row seats.

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