Best Music Apps For Exploring Local and Underground Artists?

We all know Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube push the same artists everyone’s already heard. But what about the artist playing two blocks away who’s selling out a 150-cap room?

That’s where local and underground music apps come in.

They’re not built for algorithms — they’re built for community. These are the tools that help you find emerging talent in your city before anyone else knows their name.

If you’re tired of hearing the same songs on every playlist and want to experience the raw energy of your city’s music scene, here are the best music discovery apps for local and underground artists in 2025.

🎶 1. Qoncert — Discover Local Shows and Independent Artists

Best for: Fans who want to find real shows and support local artists.

Available on: iOS & Android

Qoncert isn’t just another music app — it’s a live music movement.

Built by artists who’ve toured independently for years, Qoncert connects fans with underground artists performing in their city.

📍 Location-based discovery: See upcoming shows near you by genre, venue, or artist.
🎟️ In-app tickets: Buy directly from independent artists — no middlemen, no inflated fees.
🧠 Smart suggestions: The more shows you attend, the better Qoncert gets at showing you new artists you’ll love.
💬 Artist-first model: Artists keep a larger share of revenue and can connect directly with fans.

“We built Qoncert because real music scenes don’t live on playlists — they live in small rooms full of people.”

If you want to find your city’s next breakout artist before they blow up, this is where you start.

🎧 2. Audiomack — The Original Underground Hub

Best for: Discovering unsigned artists and street-level culture.

Audiomack has long been the go-to app for hip-hop, R&B, and afrobeats artists building grassroots audiences. It’s still free, still creator-friendly, and now includes trending charts and verified artist profiles.

🔥 Free uploads and unlimited streaming.
🌍 Trending by region — see what’s hot in your city.
🤝 Collaboration-friendly platform for features and remixes.

If you like SoundCloud but want something fresher and more active in the underground scene, Audiomack’s where a lot of the real ones live.

🎛️ 3. SoundCloud — Still a Creative Playground

Best for: Raw, experimental, and DIY releases.

SoundCloud might be older than TikTok, but it’s still the blueprint for music discovery. Most artists’ “first drops” start here.

🌀 A massive library of independent and unsigned tracks.
🗺️ Niche communities for every genre imaginable.
📊 New AI-powered recommendations improving visibility for smaller creators.

If you want to find an artist before they hit DSPs or labels notice, SoundCloud is still undefeated.

📍 4. Bandsintown — Finding Live Shows Near You

Best for: Tracking touring and local live performances.

Bandsintown is one of the OGs of live show discovery. It syncs with your streaming services and location to alert you when artists you love (or might love) play nearby.

📅 Personalized concert calendar.
📍 Venue-based discovery.
💬 Fan-to-artist communication for pre-sale and merch drops.

It’s less about streaming and more about showing up. And if you’re looking to fill your weekends with live experiences, it’s an essential download.

🎤 5. Sofar Sounds — Secret Shows, Real Connection

Best for: Intimate, curated live experiences.

Sofar Sounds curates secret gigs in unique spaces — living rooms, rooftops, and hidden venues — across 400+ cities worldwide.

🤫 Shows are announced just days before.
🎟️ Intimate crowd sizes (usually 50–100 people).
🌎 Great for meeting other music fans and discovering rising artists.

It’s live music stripped back to what matters: connection and discovery.

💽 6. Radio Garden — Explore the World by Sound

Best for: Music fans who love global discovery.

Radio Garden lets you spin a virtual globe and listen to live radio stations from anywhere in the world — from underground hip-hop in Detroit to indie rock in Tokyo.

🌍 Real-time radio from 10,000+ cities.
🔎 Easy way to discover regional genres and subcultures.
🎧 Ideal for crate diggers and music nerds who crave authenticity.

You won’t find algorithmic playlists here — just raw, unfiltered local sound.

🎵 7. Stationhead — Real-Time Fan Radio

Best for: Artists who want to build community and fans who want to participate.

Stationhead lets anyone host a live radio show synced with Spotify or Apple Music.

🎙️ Host live sessions or listening parties.
💬 Fans can call in and chat.
🔁 Great for small artists promoting new drops or freestyles.

It’s like Twitch for music — community-driven, interactive, and perfect for artists building fandom.

💡 8. Indie Shuffle — Curated Discovery for True Music Heads

Best for: Listeners who love editorial curation and indie discovery.

Indie Shuffle is part blog, part streaming app. It curates playlists from tastemakers, not algorithms, across genres like lo-fi, indie pop, and underground hip-hop.

✍️ Every track comes with a short review.
🎚️ Curated by real music editors, not bots.
🔁 Easy to find fresh, under-the-radar artists.

If you miss the blog era of music discovery (Hype Machine, Pigeons & Planes, etc.), Indie Shuffle is a worthy successor.

📈 9. Songkick — Never Miss a Local Show

Best for: Hardcore live music fans.

Songkick integrates with your music library and sends alerts when artists you like announce shows nearby.

📲 Smart alerts for your favorite artists.
🧭 Explore local venue calendars in one app.
🎟️ Ticket links from official sources — no scalpers.

It’s a great companion to Qoncert — helping fans discover both local and touring acts around them.

🚀 10. Qobuz — For True Audiophiles

Best for: Music heads who care about quality and discovery.

Qobuz offers high-resolution streaming and editorial features highlighting underground and emerging artists — especially in jazz, electronic, and world music.

🎧 Studio-quality sound.
📰 Deep editorial dives on independent scenes.
🌍 Global catalog focused on authenticity.

It’s the grown-up version of Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” — smarter, sharper, and way more niche.

💬 Qoncert Is Your Direct Connection To Your Local Music Scene IRL

Because Qoncert doesn’t just help fans listen — it helps them show up.

Unlike streaming apps, Qoncert bridges the gap between discovering artists and experiencing them live. When fans buy tickets directly from artists, they become part of that artist’s growth story.