WHO TO LISTEN FOR Eau Claire does pretty well on the music front. Beyond the worldwide acclaim of some of our indie bands and jazz musicians, this city has a little something for everyone.
THEM COULEE BOYS
For a group of down-to-earth Wisconsin kids, Them Coulee Boys are takin’ their high energy folk tunes all over the country, and blowing up big time. Their latest album, Namesake, was produced by Grammy winner Brian Joseph, and they’ve been touring every nook and cranny of the U.S. near constantly for the last few years. There’s plenty to be excited about for the future of Them Coulee Boys, and their songs are rich with foot-stompin’ energy and poignant emotional turns as well. Don’t sleep on ’em.
FOR FANS OF:The Avett Brothers, Trampled By Turtles, cowboy boots WHERE TO START:
“Midnight Manifestos” from Die Happy (2019)
PIT WAGON
Pit Wagon supply the Midwest with a dose of Southern tunes bound to please fans of outlaw country music looking for a fix.
Johnny Cash, outlaw country, deep gravely voices WHERE TO START:
“Metal” from Well (2017)
Nick Anderson & the Skinny Lovers
They’ve made a name for themselves through catchy rock songs laden with their youthful energy and soulful harmonies.
Blink-182, Green Day, stylish hats, cow tippin’ WHERE TO START:
“24” from Ephrem (2018)
Noah Estrada
@NoahEstradaMusic on Facebook »
Winner of the “Best Hip-Hop Artist” in Volume One’s ‘Best of the Chippewa Valley’ poll, his rap is personal and purposeful.
Drake, Post Malone, being in your feelings, vibing WHERE TO START:
“On My Mind” from Through My Eyes (2022)
TEAWHYB
Making a name for himself with viral videos and hit songs, TeawhYB is supplying the Valley with the hip-hop/rap bangers it has been looking for.
Post Malone, Travis Scott, dancing all night, doing the Bob Ross WHERE TO START:
“Controller 2” from What We Were EP (2020)
JIM PULLMAN
A veteran of the Eau Claire music community, Pullman’s unique timbre and songwriting ability continues to make him a local living legend.
Ryan Adams, Elliot Smith, dad rock, gently sobbing WHERE TO START:
“Lonesome and Then Some” from Go On Boldly (2021)
Every other year, Eau Claire is host to the World Flute Society Convention, which is actually a pretty big deal, with hundreds flocking here to participate.
If you know anything about the Eau Claire music scene, it’s probably that Justin Vernon, frontman of Grammy-winning indie rock band Bon Iver, is an Eau Claire native. What you might not know is that he didn’t study music at UW-Eau Claire: His degree is in religious studies.
Music Festivals
The Eau Claire area loves a big music festival - especially in the summertime. Between our long-running country and rock festivals and some other unique options, there’s a lot in store for every music lover in the great outdoors.
COUNTRY FEST
Location: Festival grounds, Cadott
When: June
Year founded: 1987
Average attendance: 20,000
Music: Modern country. Recent headliners include Kane Brown, Dierks Bentley, and Thomas Rhett.
Web: countryfest.com
ROCK FEST
Location: Festival grounds, Cadott
When: July
Year founded: 1994
Average attendance: 20,000
Music: Metal, modern rock, and classic rock. Recent headliners include Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Staind, and Limp Bizkit.
Web: rock-fest.com
COUNTRY JAM
Location: Foster Farm, Eau Claire
When: July
Year founded: 1990
Average attendance: 24,000
Music: Modern country. Recent headliners include Chris Young, Old Dominion, Tim McGraw, and Wisconsin favorite Chris Kroeze.
Web: countryjamwi.com
BLUE OX
Location: Whispering Pines, Eau Claire
When: Usually June
Year founded: 2015
Average attendance: 4,000
Music: Modern and traditional bluegrass, roots, and Americana. Recent headliners include Pert Near Sandstone, Jason Isbell, and Eau Claire’s own Them Coulee Boys.
Web: blueoxmusicfestival.com
ONEFEST
Location: N.W. State Fairgrounds, Chippewa Falls
When: July
Year founded: 2018
Average attendance: 4,000
Music: Contemporary Christian rock, pop, singer/songwriter. Recent headliners include Rend Collective, Danny Gokey, and Newsboys.
Web: one-fest.com
Music Venues
Pablo Center
128 Graham Ave.pablocenter.org
What you’ll see: National touring acts, classical, jazz, indie, country, theater, comedy.
all ages - price varies
The Cabin
Davies Centeruwec.edu/uac/
What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, indie rock, jazz, small touring acts
all ages - FREE
The Mousetrap
311 S. Barstow St.What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, bluegrass, indie rock, funk, open mics, small to mid-sized touring acts
21+ - FREE
The Lakely at The Oxbow Hotel
516 Galloway St.theoxbowhotel.com/events
What you’ll see: Jazz several nights a week, local and touring bands on gallery nights, bluegrass during brunch.
all ages - price varies
The Brickhouse
2233 Birch St.Brickhouse »
What you’ll see: Converge Radio and Clear Water Comedy often host concerts and touring comedians.
all ages - price varies
200 Main Art & Wine
311 S. Barstow St.What you’ll see: Local bands, folk, bluegrass, indie rock, funk, open mics, small to mid-sized touring acts
21+ - FREE
All That Jazz
UW-Eau Claire and Eau Claire’s high schools have extensive and successful jazz programs, creating a great jazz scene in the area. Look out for Eau Claire’s annual Jazz Fest in April, when an entire stretch of downtown will turn into a collection of historically themed jazz venues. Jazz players take to the downtown streets for Jazz Crawl, a street festival with outdoor performances and tons of jazzy energy.
205 N. Dewey St.
Eau Claire, WI 54703
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