11 Of Bordeaux's Top Live Music Venues

Bordeaux is humming with culture and you will certainly enjoy some live music while staying there. To all the music lovers out there, check out this list of outstanding venues all around town.

Rocher de Palmer

Located on the right bank, the Rocher de Palmer has become one of the most frequented concert halls in the city. Its main asset is definitely its eclectic selection of artists (you can come for a fado concert one evening and for a rap concert the next day). Very often, musicians don’t hesitate to come out from backstage to chat with the crowd.

Grand Théâtre

The emblematic building over the beautiful Place de la Comédie is without a doubt the place where classical music lovers should go to. The spectacular acoustics of this majestic venue coupled with the fantastic artists performing there make the whole experience memorable.

Auditorium

Only couple minutes away from the Grand Théâtre, the Auditorium is the other iconic place dedicated to classical music in Bordeaux. The Auditorium regularly hosts recitals with some of the best musicians in the world. It is a formidable venue to visit while you are in Bordeaux!

Krakatoa

Natural Feature

For almost 30 years, the Krakatoa (that gets its name from an Indonesian volcano) has welcomed well-known artists, but the bookers also have a flair for putting the spotlight on the future stars of tomorrow. Besides, one of the main objectives of the people in charge of the Krakatoa is to make music accessible for all. One of the numerous initiatives supporting that policy is that most tickets cost less than 25 euros.

Rock School Barbey

Music Venue, School

If you like to discover new artists, you should immediately check out the Rock School Barbey‘s upcoming events. For nearly three decades, the venue has been notorious for being among the first concert arenas to feature unknown talents who are now acclaimed recording artists of the French and international scene. The White Stripes, Selah Sue, Kings of Leon, French musicians Orelsan, Louise, and the Bordeaux native rock band Noir Désir are some among the plethora of artists who passed by “La Rock School.”

Théâtre Fémina

Cinema, Theater

Originally a music-hall, the Théâtre Fémina has been a symbol of Bordeaux’s cultural life since 1921. It was then transformed into a cinema but has been reestablished in 1977 as a place of various genres of entertainment. Its beautiful appearance, mixing art déco and Louis XVI styles, and the outstanding performances of some of the best French and international artists ensure you’ll have an agreeable time.

Le Caillou du Jardin Botanique

By far the smallest stage on our list, you will love the intimate vibe you get at Le Caillou du Jardin Botanique. This restaurant had the genius idea to invite on stage very talented musicians several times a week. This is a great idea for a date and if it doesn’t go well, the music will cover the awkward silence.

Pin Galant

Theater, Cinema

Another concert hall in Mérignac, those who regularly attend shows at the Pin Galant praise its diverse panel of musicians. In addition to the wide range of artists you can discover during live concerts, you can also attend musicals, shows from the cabaret repertoire, and a variety of musical performances.

Stade Matmut Atlantique

Stadium

Although its main use is to host the home games of the Girondins de Bordeaux, the city’s football team and other sports events, the still fairly new Stade Matmut Atlantique (it was open in 2015) is sometimes turned into a concert hall and has a capacity of welcoming 42,000 people. In June 2017, world superstar Celine Dion started her French tour for her last album at the Stade Matmut Atlantique.

Bordeaux Métropole Arena

Small to medium-sized concert halls favor warm exchanges between performers and their audiences. With the surging interest for Bordeaux over the past years, the city officials showed a real desire to build a big arena capable of welcoming international superstars. This is about to change with the imminent opening of the Bordeaux Métropole Arena. And who better than an iconic group like Depeche Mode to inaugurate this special place? The tickets sold out within minutes.

Patinoire Mériadeck

A true emblem of Bordeaux, the Patinoire Mériadeck has hosted events for more than 35 years and has welcomed countless artists during that period. Due to the upcoming opening of the Bordeaux Métropole Arena and also due to the fact that it is also the premium venue that hosts the Bordeaux’s ice hockey team, the Patinoire Mériadeck will solely organize sporting events at the start of 2018.

About the author

Jennifer Migan

Jennifer is a speechwriter and a public speaking coach based in Bordeaux, France. She is also a former professional tennis player. She is the founder of The Speech House which helps people (in English and French) to overcome their fear of public speaking and become better communicators. You can follow her on Instagram @jennifer_migan and on her storytelling platform Unique Stories @uniquestories.co.