Here’s How You Can Be A Part Of Seoul’s Live Music Scene
Seoul is known as the birthplace of K-pop, and this music genre has been taking the world by storm as groups such as BTS have been making history on the Billboard charts, and there are even talks about a possible Grammy nomination for the group. But apart from Korean pop, the city is also home to a thriving live music scene that showcases up and coming artists who perform hip-hop, R&B, folk, jazz, traditional, and rock songs, among others. If you want to have a live gig or if you just want to jam with other artists, you’ll need to know about the places where you can perform, as well as all the ways for you to perform live. Here’s a guide on how you can be a part of Seoul’s live music scene.
Busk in Hongdae, Daehangno or Sinchon
Places like Hongdae and Sinchon are famous for their busking culture, and foreigners and locals have been seen busking in these areas. As these places are frequented by the university crowd, it’s common to see K-pop cover groups and dance groups busking here. But if your music has more of a Coldplay or acoustic Daniel Caesar sound, you’re definitely welcome to bring your acoustic or classical guitar and strum out, no matter the size. Meanwhile, if you like covering artists such as The Beatles, Earth Wind and Fire, or Chicago, head to Daehangno as the audience here is mostly made up of people from their 50s to 60s. Though it’s fine to busk in all three of these places without a license, pay attention to noise ordinances and never solicit money while you’re performing to avoid getting in trouble.
Check out the city’s open mic scene
The district of Itaewon is known for its amazing nightlife, and several clubs here have open mic nights where you can participate and share your music. The expat community in Seoul have even set up places that have weekly open mics in this area, such as Tony’s Aussie Bar, which has regular open mics and jam sessions on Mondays. For open mic night schedules, visit the Itaewon Open Mic Facebook page and sign up for your spot.
Find gigs and job openings in community forums
Community forums such as Reddit and Craigslist are your sources to find gigs or job openings related to your passion. Check out the musicians community section in Craigslist Seoul and you’ll find people looking for a vocalist for a Pantera tribute band, a drummer, or for members for an AHA cover band, among others. You could also get in touch with an events group as some are looking to connect with independent musicians for family or corporate events.
Being a part of Seoul’s live music scene can help you connect with fellow artists. Moreover, it helps to get your name out there in the competitive entertainment industry. Whether you choose to busk, go on open mic nights, or sign up to become a member of a cover band, you’re sure to find an audience that will appreciate your music.
