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Have you ever wondered just how much live music has made you feel? When you see this question, ask yourself how much you remember those experiences. The memories that you have might be hazy. They might be challenging to visualize in your head. But that’s one of the beauties of experiencing live music firsthand. You are going to a social gathering which means that socialization will be all but necessary. The music at these events can even become secondary to a certain extent. Then what’s the point of the music at all if that’s the case? Well, the point is to appeal to the largest crowd you possibly can for the best revenue opportunities, the best exposure to the world outside of music, and the best chance at becoming a true secondary market that is recognized by the music industry as a legitimate hub for people to make a living in all things music. 

 Atlanta is the epicenter of music in Georgia and for a good reason. It’s the largest city in the state and still maintains its cultural roots. It has become one of the significant secondary markets for the music industry alongside cities like Chicago. But what if it was possible to turn Augusta, Georgia’s second-largest city, into a similar hub for music? April Brumfield, owner, and founder of the artist management group “Brumfield & Associates Music, Inc.” and music industry professor at Augusta University believes so. She says that Augusta could become a significant secondary market for music industry professionals of all kinds if Augusta and its surrounding areas continue to expand at the current rate. 

“It could become a secondary market in the future as everything is becoming meshed together and it is an attractive place to be with its musical history.

As with most other live music scenes, the one in Augusta suffered from shutdowns in 2020. But as things began to return to normal and the scene began to be populated again, Augusta has seen a resurgence that may even have surpassed the state of the scene before COVID, according to Brumfield.

More and more people are attending shows of all kinds, of all age groups, and of all interests. 

Brumfield said, “I hope that downtown Augusta will continue to grow in the next year with new housing, local bands emerging, and new areas being expanded.”

Now, as for how that expansion continues to progress, there needs to be a correct sense of what the people want from their music. It often depends on the demographic appeal and the business appeal of the scene in question. In order for Augusta to achieve that growth and development over the coming years and into the next decade, there will need to be a proper balance and synergy between both aspects to get people to be committed to the music scene and all that it has to offer, according to Brumfield.

To get an inside look at what the live scene does and doesn’t offer, Evan Grantski showed how both openings and limitations in the area are managed. Grantski owns his own record store aptly named “Grantski’s” and also plays in a metal band with his brother who works at the store as well.

Grantski bluntly said that he does not think the music scene in Augusta is the best because it is not a city that treats music as its top priority. 

He said, “It’s in need of some love at the moment.” 

From his position in the live scene, Evan does not see any true venues that focus solely on music. 

He mentioned that places like the Miller Theater do provide live music. However, because of their wide range of performances, music is never the only thing that is prioritized which can lead to issues regarding specific genres like metal which his band is known for.

Considering the fact that Evan’s band has limited access to established venues, they play at his record store most of the time. This extends to a lack of entry at bars and restaurants, meaning there is no way for them to find consistent gigs outside of their small sphere of influence. 

Evan said, “Bars don’t want to have metal because it’s loud and it’s not right for the atmosphere.” 

However, that sphere of influence was created by his own ambition as a self-starter and has allowed for many opportunities to showcase his band and his business simultaneously which helps to attract more customers. Along with the rapid increase of vinyl sales in recent years, record stores like Grantski’s have thrived, according to Evan.

 Being in such a niche genre as metal or hardcore does not lend itself well to booking. This is true for all local music scenes, but this is especially true in Augusta. The record store is the primary source of income for Evan and his brother so the band can be seen more as a passion project, but there should still be room for more accommodations for such genres at venues in Augusta if the scene is to grow in the future. Variety in genres and subcultures will attract more people whose passion is music to Augusta and will allow for the limitations to not be as pronounced, thus allowing the business to thrive in a city like Augusta with such a rich history in the art of music.