Love Live Music? Downtown York is Your Scene.

Downtown York has the options to experience live music of all genres, whether it’s checking out a local artist or a national touring act.

BY JJ SHEFFER | DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

South central Pennsylvania is among the best places in the country to live if you like live, original music. We have great local and regional music communities, and we’re also within convenient proximity to larger metropolitan markets; it’s an easy drive to Baltimore, DC, and Philadelphia, and if you’re ambitious, New York and Pittsburgh can be visited in a single day. But thanks to some hardworking local promoters, you can see national touring acts right here in Downtown York.

KABLE HOUSE PRESENTS at Central Market, 34 W. Philadelphia St. | KableHousePresents.com

Kable House Presents has hosted concerts inside Downtown York’s historic Central Market since 2014. Since then, this pop-up series has hosted more than 65 shows, where concertgoers have enjoyed a remarkably personal exchange between artist and audience.

This independent, volunteer-driven initiative showcases national touring acts in an intimate, listening-room environment. General admission tickets are available to the public, and food and beverages are available for purchase during the shows from featured Central Market vendors.

PAST SHOWS: Strand of Oaks, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Dom Flemons, Lydia Loveless, Joe Pug, Tony Lucca, David Wax Museum, Patrick Sweany, as well as sold-out shows with Cedric Burnside and 10-piece soul band The Suffers.

HANG WITH THE LOCALS at First Capital Dispensing, 57 N. Pershing St. | @First Capital Dispensing

First Capital Dispensing Co is an intimate and friendly dive bar. Most Saturdays feature live music from local or national touring acts, and on the third Saturday of each month, the DJ Duo Hot Slop Boogie Bop spins records. Wednesday Friendsday is a popular open mic night hosted by the talented Nikki Sullivan. First Fridays feature the original music of local hero A.D. Chandler and friends, and every Monday night you can find The Cap’s artist/goofball in residence, Ronn Benway, singing originals and various cover songs while hosting the Monday Night Snack Club.

Know before you go: This is one of York’s few remaining bars where smoking is allowed inside.

CAPLIVE at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, 50 N. George St. | AppellCenter.org/CapLive | @AppellCenter

The historic, 450-seat Capitol Theatre is home to CapLive, a concert series that launched in 2008 and features both emerging and established artists. The Capitol features a bar, a large balcony, and a gorgeous, beautifully-lit proscenium arch that makes for cool photos of your favorite band onstage. There isn’t a bad seat in the house.

PAST SHOWS: Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dawes, Hoots & Hellmouth, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Deer Tick, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, The Mountain Goats, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Punch Brothers, John Doe, Justin Townes Earle, Alejandro Escovedo, Josh Ritter, The Lone Bellow, The Wood Brothers, Richard Thompson, Todd Snider, The Old 97s, and more.

WHITE ROSE MUSIC FEST at PeoplesBank Park, 50 Brooks Robinson Way | WhiteRoseMusicFest.com

The White Rose Music Fest is a new event bringing world-class performers to PeoplesBank Park in Downtown York over two nights – October 7 and 8, 2022. The event is a collaboration between the York Revolution and York College of Pennsylvania. Featuring headliners Jamey Johnson and Grace Potter, other artists include The Wood Brothers, Margo Price, and red-hot rising star Brittney Spencer.

Coming soon! SKID ROW GARAGE | @SkidRowGarage

Over the last 12 years, 1,500+ bands from all over the world – including punk, rock, and metal genres – have stopped to play a tiny underground venue run by Matt “MC” Hyser. He is currently renovating a long-vacant property on the 200 block of West Market Street to relocate the DIY venue, Skid Row Garage. The venue will feature quick and easy food alongside beer from local breweries.