Tulsa Concerts in 2024/2025 and Other Event Tickets

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Oklahoma is a state in the heartland of America, surrounded by Kansas, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arkansas. Tulsa is probably the most important city in the state, given that it is the capital city. With a population of around 400,000, Tulsa is modest in size. Its history is complicated by oil industry relations. With a relatively low unemployment rate and a low cost of living, Tulsans are able to explore the amenities of city life on a regular basis. What does Tulsa offer residents who like to go out on the town? What does Tulsa offer visitors who like to listen to local music in urban venues? Keep reading to find out the answers to these questions.

Tulsa is ranked as one of the best cities for music

Tulsa is no Los Angeles, New York, or Dallas; however, it is nationally recognized for its music scene. In fact, Livability.com ranked it as the 9th “City with the Best Music Scene.” This ranking considered a handful of factors, such as number of music venues, quality of music venues, number of independent record stores, and caliber of local musicians. The experts who made the list harkens back to the 1930s, when Tulsa first began making a name for itself in music, starting with Bob Wills, a Western Swing and Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, brought his band to Tulsa. Every night of the week something is going on in Tulsa’s music scene, and listeners come out to support local artists and their original music. Historic venues are another key facet of what makes Tulsa a top-ranking music city, with ballrooms that have been in business since 1924 and opened their doors to rockers such as Van Halen. With on average 10-15 percent of ticket sales devoted to out-of-town listeners, Tulsa leans local but welcomes new faces. With all of this in mind, for a well-rounded, high caliber music scene, Tulsa is an excellent option.

Tulsa has housed a surprisingly large number of national music stars

Bob Wills, mentioned above, popularized Tulsa, although he was a Texas-born man. With hits such as “Take Me Back to Tulsa” and a residence in Tulsa, Wills clearly loved the city. Another group of transplants, The Call originated in California before making their way to Oklahoma. A reckless rock vibe, Tulsa may not seem like a natural fit for the group, but after referencing religion in their work, Tulsa became a great fit. Some members, such as drummer Scott Musick, still reside in Tulsa, despite the dissolution of the band. 90s group Hanson is inextricably died to Tulsa, as it is tied to the Tulsa Arts District to this day, playing festivals downtown and popping into local venues. For the creators of Tulsa’s original sound, J.J. Cale’s work is prominent. Although Cale avoided the spotlight, he has been recognized as an incredible musician and influence by the likes of Neil Young and Eric Clapton. Other notable names tied to Tulsa include Leon Russell, Tom Skinner, and John Moreland.

Tulsa’s music scene does not quit

Regardless of tight schedules or holiday plans, Tulsa’s music scene carried onward, refusing to stay silent. As noted by Tulsa World: The Weekend, November, December, and January are booked with shows and releases. In most cities, the winter months are the most stagnant in music; summer is the busy season for the arts. However, Tulsa does not stop. The day after Thanksgiving, the IDL Ballroom is booked, and local artists including Cassi Stephan are scheduled to release new singles.