Greenville

Greenville's music scene punches above its weight for a city of 70,000, producing some of the South's most compelling musical talent across multiple generations.

Marcus King is Greenville's current superstar. The blues-rock guitarist and singer, born in 1996, grew up in Greenville steeped in Southern music tradition (his father and grandfather were also musicians). The Marcus King Band formed in Greenville and built a following through relentless touring before signing to Fantasy Records. King's 2020 solo album El Dorado, produced by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), showcased his versatile songwriting beyond blues-rock. He's become one of the most exciting young guitarists in American music, carrying forward Greenville's musical legacy.

Edwin McCain, born in Greenville in 1970, became a household name with his 1998 hit "I'll Be," a wedding staple that reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. But McCain's career runs deeper than one song—he's released 11 studio albums, maintained a devoted fanbase, and still calls the Carolinas home. His blend of heartfelt songwriting and Southern rock sensibility represents Greenville's musical character perfectly.

Peabo Bryson, the R&B legend from Greenville (born 1951), became one of the most successful romantic soul singers of the 1980s-90s. His Disney duets—"A Whole New World" with Regina Belle (Aladdin) and "Beauty and the Beast" with Celine Dion—won consecutive Grammy Awards and made him a global star. But Greenville remembers him for earlier work like "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" and a career spanning decades. He put Greenville on the map for soul music decades before Marcus King picked up a guitar.

The bluegrass and Americana tradition runs deep in the South Carolina Upstate. The Blue Dogs, formed in Charleston but with Greenville connections, helped define Southern roots rock in the 1990s. Local acts like The Get Right Band and The Restoration carry forward the tradition with energy and authenticity.

NEEDTOBREATHE, one of South Carolina's biggest bands, formed in nearby Seneca in 1998. While they've adopted Charleston as a home base, Greenville remains part of their orbit. The Christian rock band has sold out arenas worldwide while maintaining Southern roots.

The indie and alternative scene has grown alongside downtown's revitalization. Bands like Dangermuffin (jam-grass fusion), Heyrocco (indie rock), and a constant rotation of singer-songwriters keep venues like The Radio Room packed. The city's proximity to Asheville (90 minutes away) means crossover between the scenes—bands tour both cities, fans travel for shows.

Greenville's music culture benefits from an educated, growing population and corporate money (BMW, Michelin, and others have headquarters here). The city can support art without relying solely on tourism or college students—a rare advantage for a Southern city this size.

Greenville's music history is a story of transformation and unexpected talent emerging from a textile town turned cultural hub.

Peabo Bryson was Greenville's first major musical export. Born Robert Peabo Bryson in 1951, he started singing in his father's church and local groups before breaking through nationally in the late 1970s. His smooth, romantic R&B made him a star—"Feel the Fire" (1978), "Reaching for the Sky" (1977), and collaborations with Roberta Flack and Natalie Cole established him as one of soul's premier voices. But it was his Disney work in the 1990s that made him a household name: "A Whole New World" (Aladdin, 1992) and "Beauty and the Beast" (1991) both won Grammy Awards for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. Greenville celebrates Bryson as proof that world-class talent can come from anywhere.

Edwin McCain emerged in the 1990s during the post-grunge singer-songwriter boom. Born in Greenville in 1970, McCain formed his band and built a regional following before Atlantic Records signed him. His 1998 album Misguided Roses spawned "I'll Be," which became a massive hit despite never cracking the top 3 (it peaked at #5). McCain never chased mainstream success after that—he kept touring, kept writing, kept releasing albums. His 2023 record Mercy Bound showed he's still crafting solid Southern rock. Greenville claims him as one of their own.

Horizon Records opened in 1975, anchoring Greenville's vinyl culture through disco, punk, hair metal, grunge, and every shift since. Owner Jack Burton built a legacy that outlasted chains and trends. The store became a gathering place for Greenville's music community.

The Marcus King Band formed in Greenville in 2013 when Marcus was just 17. His father, Marvin King, and grandfather, B.B. Belin, were both musicians in the Greenville area, creating a multi-generational Southern music lineage. The young band toured relentlessly—playing The Get Right's "Get Down Get Funky" festival in Greenville, building followings in Charleston and Asheville, and eventually catching the attention of jam band and Americana crowds nationally. By 2018, they were playing sold-out shows across the country. Marcus King's 2020 solo album El Dorado (produced by Dan Auerbach) showed he could move beyond Southern rock into sophisticated songwriting. He's become one of the most important young musicians in American roots music.

Greenville's downtown revitalization (2000s-present) transformed Main Street from abandoned storefronts to breweries, restaurants, and music venues. The Radio Room opened in 2010 and became the anchor for the city's growing indie scene.

The city's proximity to Asheville (90 minutes) and Charlotte (2 hours) means Greenville has benefited from regional music migration—bands and fans flow between the cities, strengthening the Upstate's cultural ecosystem.

Downtown Main Street is Greenville's revitalized heart. Gottrocks, restaurants, breweries, and Falls Park on the Reedy cluster here. It's walkable, clean, and buzzing with energy—especially on weekends. The city invested heavily in making downtown pedestrian-friendly, and it shows.

West End is the artsy neighborhood with galleries, coffee shops, and local businesses. More bohemian than Main Street, though gentrification is creeping in.

Laurens Road is where The Radio Room lives. It's more suburban and car-dependent, but the venue is worth the drive.

Overbrook/Paris Mountain areas are residential and quieter—good for Airbnbs if you want a more local experience.

Travelers Rest (just north of Greenville) is the outdoor recreation hub with breweries and the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Occasional live music at breweries, and it's a nice bike ride from downtown.

TR (Travelers Rest) and nearby Furman University add college-town energy without dominating the city like USC does in Columbia.

Morning: Start at Horizon Records on McBee Avenue. Dig through vinyl for an hour—grab local band releases and Southern rock classics.

Afternoon: Walk Main Street downtown and browse Pharmacy Records. Grab lunch at one of the neighborhood spots, then check out Falls Park on the Reedy—the suspension bridge and waterfall are worth the visit even if there's no show happening.

Late Afternoon: Hit Cabin Floor Records for more digging, then stop at a local brewery (plenty to choose from) and see if there's live music scheduled. Greenville's brewery scene is excellent.

Evening: Catch a show at The Radio Room (check calendar in advance) or hit Gottrocks for a more dive-bar experience. If nothing grabs you, The Lazy Goat usually has a singer-songwriter playing.

Pro tip: Greenville is 90 minutes from Asheville—if you're in the region, consider hitting both cities for a full Upstate music experience.

Best time to visit: Spring and fall for perfect weather and outdoor concerts. Summer is hot and humid but Parks programming stays active. Winter is mild but quieter for music.

Getting around: Downtown is walkable once you're there. Uber/Lyft works for getting to The Radio Room or other venues outside downtown. Parking is easy compared to bigger cities.

Where to stay: Hotels on Main Street put you in the center of downtown. Airbnbs in West End or near Furman offer more local vibes. Greenville is small enough that nothing is far.

Local tip: Greenville is growing fast—what feels new today might be old news in a year. The city is invested in arts and music, so expect the scene to keep evolving. And if you're into outdoor stuff, the Swamp Rabbit Trail and Paris Mountain State Park are worth exploring.