Sound Check

Listen up! Here’s where to find live tunes in Gwinnett.

BY LANE HOLMAN

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

T

he hills of Gwinnett— and valleys and streets and town squares—are alive with just about any kind of music you can think of.

Infinite Energy Arena

This Duluth landmark is home to Atlanta’s second largest venue, with seating for up to 13,000 music fans. The arena hosts a rainbow of musical touring acts in addition to being home base for Atlanta Gladiators hockey games and Georgia Swarm lacrosse matches, and it’s easy to access near I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway.

Arena lineups have ranged from old-school rock stalwarts such as Roger Waters, Paul McCartney, and James Taylor, to hip-hop sounds from Beyoncé, Russ, Childish Gambino, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar. Pop airwave dominators The Killers, BLACKPINK, Panic! At The Disco, and Gorillaz have thrilled audiences here, along with cool crooners like Michael Bublé and country standouts Dolly Parton, Kelly Clarkson, Miranda Lambert, and Sugarland.

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry

An intimate, 260-seat listening room, Eddie Owes Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry (RCMF), the brainchild of Eddie Owens of Decatur’s Eddie’s Attic fame, more than lives up to its musician-friendly pedigree. The venue welcomes a lineup of singer-songwriters and offers twice-monthly songwriters’ open-mic nights. Situated in downtown Duluth, the RCMF is surrounded by restaurants and pubs, making for an ideal night on the town.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

From May into the fall, music fans flock to Sugar Hill’s outdoor amphitheater known as The Bowl. Located in the heart of Sugar Hill’s growing downtown, The Bowl showcases music from a variety of artists. Collective Soul, Colbie Caillat, The Mavericks, Michael Bolton, and The Village People have all graced the stage over the past couple of seasons. Concertgoers of all ages flock to the casual setting under the stars to savor the summer nights; they can bring their own coolers or visit the food trucks parked nearby.

The Bowl at Sugar Hill

Everett’s Music Barn

In a neighborhood near downtown Suwanee is an old red house set close to Stonecypher Road. You’d be forgiven for not realizing this humble property is the epicenter of local bluegrass and has been for decades. After all, there’s no sign—just a festive wreath and a few photos tacked near the front door. And it’s quiet, still very much like the countryside it used to be, despite the growth all around.

This is the Everett homestead, where brothers Roger and Randall began playing guitar and singing in the early sixties, and where their father taught them to play the banjo as well. Eventually, their older brother, Leroy, joined in and the three Everett boys recruited additional musicians and formed the Country Ramblers. They played regularly in the Everett home, recording their Friday shows for local radio and holding jam sessions on Saturday nights. While they never charged an admission fee, they did pass around a coffee can for anyone who wanted to pitch in for snacks and coffee.

Eventually, Leroy realized they needed more room for their audience. He built the Music Barn in the cornfield behind the house in 1970. The Country Ramblers eventually evolved into The Everett Family Band.

Although the Everett brothers have left the earthly stage, the Barn thrives under Leroy’s children. Rena Everett McDaniel, Russell Everett, and Tommy Everett continue offering Saturday night shows, bringing crowds from miles around. And the house is open to musicians of all skill levels for jam sessions.

If you go, don’t forget to put a donation in the coffee can—it’s not required, but you know Leroy, Randall, and Roger would appreciate it.