Find The Best Live Music on Oahu

Oahu is a wonderful travel destination for so many reasons. With so many places to explore and fun things to do, your time here will be well spent! If you want to get in touch with the local culture and hear some live music during your trip, we’re here to help!

When you visit Oahu, you feel like Ohana, and that rings true throughout our local music scene, as well. The music culture here is full of history as well as fresh modern sounds. Looking for the best places to hear live music on Oahu? You’ve come to the right place.

Follow along as we find the best live music on Oahu!

Is There A Music Scene In Hawaii?

Of course! Hawaii has a rich musical history dating back to its earliest residents. If you’ve ever heard or played the ukulele, you’ve gotten a small taste of historical Hawaiian music. Oahu’s musical roots go back well over a thousand years, and this historical music is performed with reverence.

There’s more music here than traditional Hawaiian sounds, however. Oahu’s music scene is dynamic, blending its cultural roots with newer, modern sounds. If you take some time to explore around town, you’ll find venues with music spanning the genres of indie, reggae, jazz, and more. We’ll explore some places where you can hear traditional music and newer sounds in this post!

Where Can I Listen to Live Music on Oahu?

Great question! There are a ton of great places you can hear some live music on Oahu. Let’s explore a few of our favorites.

Waikiki Shell

One of the best spots to hear live music in Waikiki is the Waikiki Shell. The backdrop of The Shell is unmatched—you won’t find a better setting than Diamond Head behind the stage and Waikiki Beach across the street!

The Shell’s sound system has an acoustically pleasing design that makes every band sound their absolute best. Perfect for a twilight concert, this venue is something special. You’ll feel the magic of Oahu while you’re here to enjoy a show!

Larger events typically take place here at The Shell, which seats 2400 people with room for an additional 6,000 on the lawn. The stage has hosted artists as big as Jimi Hendrix, Sheryl Crow, Hootie & The Blowfish, & Jimmy Buffet, as well as smaller local artists and festivals. You never know just what you’ll see on this stage!

Irish Rose Saloon

Now, we know what you’re thinking: why would you go to Hawaii to hear Irish music? Truth be told, this hidden gem on Oahu is not to be missed.

The energy at Irish Rose Saloon is electric! There’s live music seven days a week, and it’s the perfect end to a high-energy night out on Oahu when you’re looking to enjoy some rock or punk music. Listen to the very best local rock music Oahu has to offer at this pub and enjoy a few brews while you’re at it.

Duke’s Waikiki

Duke’s is a local favorite and one of the most popular places to hear live music in Waikiki. They have music daily from 4-6 PM and 7 PM-12 AM. Music here ranges in genre, so you have the chance to hear a wide range of sets.

Every year, Duke’s also hosts a contest called Duke’s Ukes. Contestants must be 18 years or younger (yes, younger!) and can enter one of 4 categories to put their ukulele skills to the test. The first-place winner in each category gets to perform at Duke’s—a high honor!

Shorefyre

Shorefyre Fresh Grill & Bar is another great place to hear live music on Oahu. They offer live music nightly and have a beautiful ocean view!

There’s a wide range of experiences to explore at Shorefyre. They offer nightly live music as well as unforgettable club nights!

This hotspot values live music and its ability to bring people together. Whether you’re a fan of mellow acoustic music and classic rock or want to dance the night away to come club music, you can find it all at Shorefyre. Make sure to check out their calendar to stay up to date on their events!

Hawaii Ukulele Festival

Have you ever attended an entire festival dedicated to a musical instrument? Here on Oahu, we do it yearly at the Hawaii Ukulele Festival.

Residents and tourists alike gather every year at the Kapi’olani Park Bandstand to celebrate this historical Hawaiian instrument, try out some traditional foods, visit the arts & crafts village, and hear some amazing live music on Oahu. The festival is held every July, and multiple artists show off their ukulele skills throughout—you can even hear local music schools perform! If your trip to Oahu takes place in the summer, don’t miss this incredible live music event.

Book Your Oahu Vacation Rental

We hope you feel excited to dive into the live music scene on Oahu next time you visit us here. Now that you know all the best spots to hear live music on Oahu, you can book your trip!

When searching for accommodations for your trip to Oahu, look no further than our collection of Oahu vacation rentals. We value having you here and want to make sure that your vacation to Oahu is memorable, comfortable, and exciting!

With a range of amenities and close proximity to beautiful nearby beaches and hiking trails, we have everything you need for your time in Oahu. Whether you want to stay in an oceanfront villa or explore the Ko Olina resort with its three pools and fitness center, we are confident you’ll find the perfect fit for you!

Browse our available Oahu vacation rentals now and book your trip to Oahu directly with Oceanfront Vacation Villas!