Columbia

Columbia's music identity is split between its college-town energy and deep Southern roots. The city's biggest export is Hootie & the Blowfish, who formed at USC in 1986 and sold 21 million copies of Cracked Rear View in 1994. Love them or not, they put Columbia on the map and still play hometown shows.

Beyond Hootie, Columbia has quietly produced a diverse roster. Edwin McCain ("I'll Be") is a Columbia native. Toro y Moi (Chaz Bear), the chillwave pioneer, grew up here and recorded early material in Columbia before moving to California. His influence on indie electronic music is undeniable.

The jazz and soul scene has deep roots. Drink Small, the "Blues Doctor," spent decades playing Columbia clubs and became a South Carolina legend. Peabo Bryson, the R&B vocalist known for Disney soundtracks, is from nearby Greenville but has strong Columbia ties.

Columbia's indie and punk scene thrives in college bars and DIY spaces. Bands like Sequoyah Prep School, Stop Light Observations (who moved to Charleston), and a rotating cast of USC student bands keep the venues packed. The scene is young, scrappy, and constantly regenerating.

Southern rock and Americana never went away here. Local bands channel the Allman Brothers and Drive-By Truckers, keeping the tradition alive in bars across the city.

Columbia's music scene isn't flashy, but it's real. College energy, Southern soul, and a serious record-collecting culture make it a must-visit for music heads.

Columbia's music history reflects its role as a state capital and college town. In the 1960s-70s, jazz and soul thrived in the city's Black neighborhoods. Drink Small, born in Bishopville SC, became a fixture in Columbia clubs, earning the nickname "Blues Doctor" for his harmonica mastery and storytelling.

The 1980s-90s college rock boom birthed Hootie & the Blowfish. Formed at USC in 1986, they spent years grinding through Columbia bars before Cracked Rear View exploded in 1994. The album's massive success (21 million sold) made them the biggest band in America for a moment. Frontman Darius Rucker later became a successful country artist.

Papa Jazz Record Shoppe opened in 1979 and became a Southern institution. Owner Fred Blanton built one of the region's best record stores, preserving vinyl culture through the CD era and into the streaming age.

Toro y Moi (Chaz Bear) grew up in Columbia and started making music in his bedroom. His 2010 debut Causers of This helped define chillwave and indie electronic music. He's since evolved into one of indie's most versatile producers.

Columbia's indie scene has quietly produced bands that moved on to bigger markets—Charleston, Asheville, Atlanta—but the city remains a proving ground for South Carolina musicians.

Five Points is the college-adjacent neighborhood with bars, restaurants, The White Mule, and Manifest Discs & Tapes. Young, loud, and active nightly during the school year. Walkable but parking can be tough.

The Vista is Columbia's revitalized downtown entertainment district. Tin Roof, breweries, restaurants, and nightlife cluster here. More polished and corporate than Five Points but convenient for visitors.

Main Street downtown is the historic corridor with The Senate, Soda City Market, and a mix of old and new Columbia. It's gentrifying but retains character.

Devine Street in Shandon is where Papa Jazz lives. More residential, quieter, but essential for record shopping. Good restaurants nearby for lunch.

Rosewood and Elmwood are working-class neighborhoods with dive bars and local hangouts. Less touristy, more authentic Columbia.

USC Campus is the center of student energy. Bars and venues cater to the college crowd, especially during football season.

Morning: Start at Papa Jazz Record Shoppe on Devine Street when they open. Bring patience and cash—you'll need both. Three rooms of vinyl means serious digging time.

Afternoon: Head to Five Points and browse Cosmic Rays for indie and local releases. Grab lunch in the neighborhood—college-town prices, Southern food.

Late Afternoon: If it's Saturday, hit Soda City Market on Main Street for live music and local vendors. Otherwise, grab a beer in The Vista and check show schedules.

Evening: Catch a show at The Senate or Tin Roof (buy tickets in advance for bigger acts). For something grittier, hit The White Mule or Art Bar to see local bands.

Pro tip: Columbia is a college town—energy peaks during the school year (September-May). Summer is quieter but shows still happen. And if you're at Papa Jazz, ask the staff for recommendations—they know the local scene.

Best time to visit: Fall (football season, school year starts) for peak energy. Spring is also great. Summer is hot and quieter with students gone. Winter is mild but less vibrant for music.

Getting around: Car is easiest—venues and neighborhoods are spread out. Uber/Lyft works for getting to shows. Five Points and The Vista are walkable once you're there.

Where to stay: Hotels in The Vista or downtown put you near venues. Airbnbs in Shandon or Rosewood offer a more local experience. Avoid staying near the airport (too far from the action).

Local tip: Columbia isn't a tourist destination, and that's its charm. The music scene exists for locals, not visitors. Show up with respect, buy records, support bands, and you'll have a great time.