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Home
National
Music The 6 most iconic music venues in America

The 6 most iconic music venues in America

These venues have earned their rightful place in music history
Red Rocks
Photo credit Getty Images
By Marty Rosenbaum, Audacy

The thrill of seeing your favorite band up close and personal in a small venue is an incredible feeling. However, there’s something about being in a crowd of thousands of concertgoers singing along in unison. It’s unmatched, it’s an experience unlike any other.

Listen to the Arena Rock Exclusive Station 

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Thankfully, all you need to replicate that experience is a pair of headphones or speakers and Audacy’s Arena Rock Exclusive Station.

It’s epic songs for epic moments. It’s a station that conjures memories of those incredible light shows, fog machines, and lighters held high in the air. Featuring the likes of Queen, Journey, Guns N' Roses, The Rolling Stones, The White Stripes, and many more, Audacy’s Arena Rock Exclusive Station plays the songs that’ll make you feel like you're in a crowd of thousands at your favorite arena.

With that in mind, we’ve created this list of the six most iconic music venues in America. For this exercise we’ll be looking at music venues that are currently open. While there’s many iconic arenas and amphitheatres from the past, their doors are shuttered and unfortunately memories of a different time.

While we love small music clubs and everything they represent, this list will focus on spaces where you can catch an act like The Rolling Stones or Guns N’ Roses. A space where you and thousands of your music loving friends can gather to sing along.

Whether you're out in the parking lot tailgating before the show or just daydreaming about your next epic concert, be sure to turn up Audacy's Arena Rock and start rocking today.

Madison Square Garden
Photo credit Getty Images

1 Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden serves as a pinnacle of venues. It's a place where you know you’ve “made it” once you get booked there. With a concert capacity of 20,000, the venue has seen countless superstar artists grace the stage since it opened its doors.

The Forum
Photo credit Getty Images

2 The Forum

The West Coast equivalent to Madison Square Garden. It’s another venue where you know you “made it” once you take the stage. The venue opened in 1967 and boasts a capacity of 17,500. With an encyclopedia worth of noteworthy artists that have taken the stage there, it’s truly one of the most iconic venues in America.

Hollywood Bowl
Photo credit Getty Images

3 Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl opened up in 1922 and has been a landmark venue ever since. With a capacity of 17,500, the venue features a gorgeous shell set against the backdrop of Hollywood Hills and the famous Hollywood sign.

TD Garden
Photo credit Getty Images

4 TD Garden

The TD Garden in Boston opened in 1995 and has hosted numerous headlining acts ever since. The capacity for concerts stands at 20,000, but the final attendance can regularly exceed that figure depending on the setup of the arena.

United Center
Photo credit Getty Images

5 United Center

With a concert capacity of over 23,500, Chicago’s United Center has played home to hundreds of concerts with iconic artists including Pearl Jam, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Prince, The Smashing Pumpkins, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, and more.

Red Rocks
Photo credit Getty Images

6 Red Rocks Amphitheatre

While the venue’s capacity falls just a tick under 10,000, Red Rocks Amphitheatre is one of the most revered music venues in the country. Situated just west of Denver, Red Rocks features an absolutely gorgeous setting that’s played home to many superstar artists.

Be sure to check out Audacy’s Arena Rock Exclusive Station where you’ll find epic songs for those epic moments.

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