Athens, GA

Music connected to Athens

Dive into the heart of Georgia's music scene with a trip to Athens, a vibrant city nestled in the rolling hills of the New Piedmont region. This is where R.E.M. launched their iconic sound, forever cementing Athens' place in alternative rock history. The legendary 40 Watt Club helped foster this scene, and the city continues to inspire artists today. Bubba Sparxxx, The B-52's, and Megan Moroney are among the many who've found inspiration here, with Bubba Sparxxx referencing the city in multiple tracks like "Jimmy Mathis" and "Lovely."

Beyond the music, Athens offers a unique blend of Southern charm and youthful energy. Home to the state's first university, it's a place where historic brick buildings, remnants of the Great Fire of 1830, stand alongside a thriving modern culture. As you explore, keep an eye out for the Tree That Owns Itself, a quirky local landmark. With a rich musical legacy and a welcoming atmosphere, Athens is a must-visit destination for any RoadyGoat traveler.

About Athens

• R.E.M., the iconic alternative rock band, formed in Athens in 1980.
• The 40 Watt Club, a legendary music venue, helped launch the alternative rock scene.
• A state-chartered university, Franklin College, was established in 1785, driving Athens' growth.
• The Tree That Owns Itself is a white oak that legally owns its surrounding eight feet.
• The Great Fire of 1830 destroyed much of downtown, prompting brick building codes.
• Named for Athens, Greece, it was established in 1806 to be a center of learning.
• Home to 128,678 people, it's larger than Savannah, but smaller than Augusta.
• Sitting at 804 feet, it's high enough for rolling hills, but not true mountains.
• Education and healthcare are major employers, driven by the University of Georgia.
• Being there feels like a vibrant blend of Southern charm and youthful energy.
• The bedrock is primarily metamorphic, including gneiss and schist, formed during the Precambrian and Paleozoic eras.
• The North Oconee River and Middle Oconee River converge to form the Oconee River near downtown.
• The endangered Altamaha spinymussel is found in the nearby Oconee River watershed.
• Upland hardwood forests, including oak and hickory trees, are common in the area.
• The Muscogee Creek Nation inhabited the area prior to European colonization.
• In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette visited Athens during his tour of the United States.
• The Double-Barreled Cannon, an experimental weapon, was built in Athens during the Civil War.
• Georgia State Route 10 Loop bypasses the city center, easing traffic congestion.
• The Piedmont region's characteristic rolling hills formed from ancient, eroded mountains.
• The North Oconee River flows through Athens, providing a vital water source.
• White-tailed deer are commonly observed within the city limits and surrounding areas.
• Athens is situated within the Southeastern Mixed Forests ecoregion.
• The Muscogee Creek Nation inhabited the area before European colonization.
• Athens was incorporated as a town in 1806.
• The Double-Barreled Cannon, an experimental weapon, sits on UGA's North Campus, built in the 1860s.
• The Morton Theatre is said to be haunted by its namesake, Monroe Morton.
• US Route 29 is a major artery connecting Athens to Atlanta.

Artists From Athens

Abraham Alexander Adam Gibbs Alchemy of Flesh Alex Kendrick Always Red Society American Cheeseburger Andovia Andy LeMaster Any Colour Appalachian Death Ride Architects of a New Christ Rebellion Art Tripp At The Price Of The Union Athan Hilaki Athena Bass Athens Tango Project Baghouse Barbara Cue Beryl Rubinstein Betsy Kingston & the Crowns Bit Brigade Bloodkin Blue Blood Bob Cole Brave New Citizen Breathless Candid Coal People Casey Spooner Casper & the Cookies Casual Americans Catfish Jenkins Ceiling Fan Cindy Wilson Cinemechanica Circulatory System Colt Ford Daniel Elder Davis Causey Dickey Pryor Direct Attention Drive-By Truckers Druid Duddy Ken Eddie Ruston Elemental Groove Theory Elf Power eNTERTAINME.nt Floyd McDaniel Future Ape Tapes Futurebirds Gabriel Kelley Great Lakes Hall Johnson Hambear Harouki Zombi Harvey Milk Hayride Heros Severum Hetch Hetchy Hot Box Lunch I Am the World Trade Center Ioannis J. Lawrence Cook Jackie Payne James Husband Japancakes Jawga Boyz Jeff Daniels Jet by Day Jody Chastain John Elder Robison Keith Strickland Kenny Stover Kevn Kinney's S.T.A.R. Killick Hinds Kim Basinger Koncak Laminated Cat Laura Carter Lefteris Kordis Lona Lothric Lou McGarity Love Tractor Lovers M Coast Macha Madeleine Peyroux Madeline Magnapop Maha Pralaya Mariainne Gordon Maserati Mass Solo Revolt Memory Dean Mercyland Meth Wax Mike Chapman Mike Cooley Patterson Hood & Jason Isbell Modern Skirts Monahan Mouser Nana Grizol New Madrid Nicolas Roussakis Nine Vicious No Stars O Key Of Montreal Oh-OK Ohio University Symphony Orchestra pacificUV Panayis Lyras Pimpy Accelerator Planet of Pants Psychic Hearts Pylon R.E.M. Recess Party Reptar Ricky Wilson Roger Murrah Rollergirl! Ruby Isle Russian Spy Camera Sam Sniper Sarah Reeves Savagist SCHMOOZE SciFu Servotron Seven Foot Politic Silent Vigil Simrit Skeletonwitch Son & Thief Southeast Engine Southern Bitch Spring Tigers Steve Terry Project Steven Kimbrough Summer Hymns Summerbirds in the Cellar Sxip Shirey T. Hardy Morris and The Outfit The Angelic Process The Arcs The B-52s The Broken String Band The Buzz of Delight The Four Corners The Gerbils The Glands The Instruments The Late B.P. Helium The Low Lows The Lures The Martians The Mendoza Line The Pendletons The Pink Stones The Side Effects The Starter Kits The Story Of The Warm Fuzzies The Whigs The Woggles The Zeitgeist Theocracy Tituss Burgess Tommy Lee Trances Arc Twin Tigers Unus Mundus Utah Velveteen Pink Vigilantes of Love Vincas We Versus the Shark Wheels On Fire White Violet Widespread Panic Yorgos Adamis ¡MOYUBA!

Songs About Athens

Baba O'Riley by

Jimmy Mathis by

Bubba Sparxxx by

Bubba Talk by

Lovely by

Back in the Mud by

Jimmy Mathis by

Lovely by

Deadbeat Club by

Song For A Future Generation by

Dying Breed by

Orange and White by

Tennessee Orange - Breakup Version by

Back in the Mud by

Out This Way by

Bubba Sparxxx by

Tennessee Orange by

Birmingham by

georgia pouring by

Swingin’ (2013) by

Losing My Religion by

Man on the Moon by

Everybody Hurts by

Texas Longhorn (SEC version) by

Get That Man A Beer by

Birmingham by

Nearby Places

Abraham Alexander Adam Gibbs Alchemy of Flesh Alex Kendrick Always Red Society American Cheeseburger Andovia Andy LeMaster Any Colour Appalachian Death Ride Architects of a New Christ Rebellion Art Tripp At The Price Of The Union Athan Hilaki Athena Bass Athens Tango Project Baghouse Barbara Cue Beryl Rubinstein Betsy Kingston & the Crowns Bit Brigade Bloodkin Blue Blood Bob Cole Brave New Citizen Breathless Candid Coal People Casey Spooner Casper & the Cookies Casual Americans Catfish Jenkins Ceiling Fan Cindy Wilson Cinemechanica Circulatory System Colt Ford Daniel Elder Davis Causey Dickey Pryor Direct Attention Drive-By Truckers Druid Duddy Ken Eddie Ruston Elemental Groove Theory Elf Power Floyd McDaniel Future Ape Tapes Futurebirds Gabriel Kelley Great Lakes Hall Johnson Hambear Harouki Zombi Harvey Milk Hayride Heros Severum Hetch Hetchy Hot Box Lunch I Am the World Trade Center Ioannis J. Lawrence Cook Jackie Payne James Husband Japancakes Jawga Boyz Jeff Daniels Jet by Day Jody Chastain John Elder Robison Keith Strickland Kenny Stover Kevn Kinney's S.T.A.R. Killick Hinds Kim Basinger Koncak Laminated Cat Laura Carter Lefteris Kordis Lona Lothric Lou McGarity Love Tractor Lovers M Coast Macha Madeleine Peyroux Madeline Magnapop Maha Pralaya Mariainne Gordon Maserati Mass Solo Revolt Memory Dean Mercyland Meth Wax Mike Chapman Mike Cooley Patterson Hood & Jason Isbell Modern Skirts Monahan Mouser Nana Grizol New Madrid Nicolas Roussakis Nine Vicious No Stars O Key Of Montreal Oh-OK Ohio University Symphony Orchestra Panayis Lyras Pimpy Accelerator Planet of Pants Psychic Hearts Pylon R.E.M. Recess Party Reptar Ricky Wilson Roger Murrah Rollergirl! Ruby Isle Russian Spy Camera SCHMOOZE Sam Sniper Sarah Reeves Savagist SciFu Servotron Seven Foot Politic Silent Vigil Simrit Skeletonwitch Son & Thief Southeast Engine Southern Bitch Spring Tigers Steve Terry Project Steven Kimbrough Summer Hymns Summerbirds in the Cellar Sxip Shirey T. Hardy Morris and The Outfit The Angelic Process The Arcs The B-52s The Broken String Band The Buzz of Delight The Four Corners The Gerbils The Glands The Instruments The Late B.P. Helium The Low Lows The Lures The Martians The Mendoza Line The Pendletons The Pink Stones The Side Effects The Starter Kits The Story Of The Warm Fuzzies The Whigs The Woggles The Zeitgeist Theocracy Tituss Burgess Tommy Lee Trances Arc Twin Tigers Unus Mundus Utah Velveteen Pink Vigilantes of Love Vincas We Versus the Shark Wheels On Fire White Violet Widespread Panic Yorgos Adamis eNTERTAINME.nt pacificUV ¡MOYUBA! Aiken, SC Alpharetta, GA Aragon, GA Asheboro, NC Atlanta, GA Augusta, GA Bowdon, GA Carrollton, GA Carrolton, GA Cartersville, GA