The quickest way to find musicians near you is to use two routes at once: an app or site where local musicians have profiles you can search and message, and the real-world places where they already turn up, such as open mics, jam nights, rehearsal studios and music courses. Online gets you a list of names quickly. In person tells you who is reliable and easy to work with. Most people who build a good local circle use both.
It can feel like there is nobody making music in your area. There almost always is. They are just spread across different apps, group chats and venues, and none of them are wearing a sign. Here is where to look and how to approach people once you find them.
Be clear about what you are looking for
Before you search, decide what you need. "Musicians near me" means very different things to different people.
- A drummer and bassist for a band that rehearses every week.
- A producer you can sit in a room with for sessions.
- A singer or rapper to record on your beats.
- An engineer or studio to record and mix at.
- Other musicians to talk to, swap ideas with and play gigs alongside.
Also think about how near is near. For a band that rehearses weekly, you need someone who can actually get to the room. For writing songs together, being in the same city helps, but plenty of people work with someone a few hours away and meet up now and then. Being honest about this widens your options a lot.
Apps to find musicians near you
Apps are the fastest way to see who is around, because you can browse lots of people in an evening and hear their music before you say anything.
They work differently, so it is worth knowing what each kind is good for. Band-finding and classified sites such as BandMix are built around searching by instrument and area, and suit people forming a gigging band. Swipe-style apps show you profiles one at a time. Collaboration networks let you look at people's music, roles and genres and message them directly. We have compared the main ones in the best apps to find musicians.
On Tonivo, you can search for producers, artists and engineers by role and genre, listen to their tracks, and message them. Many profiles show where someone is based, so you can see who is in or near your city. Tonivo does not sort people by distance from you, so the most reliable way to find locals there is to post a call: say who you are looking for, put your town or city in the text, and you can choose which countries it is shown in. People nearby who fit can then answer it.
Whichever app you use, fill in your own profile properly first. Say where you are, what you make, and who you are looking for, and add a couple of tracks. Local musicians are much more likely to reply to someone whose profile shows they are real and nearby.
Where to find local musicians in person
Open mics and jam nights
The most reliable place to meet local musicians is still a regular open mic or jam night. The same people tend to come back every week, so after two or three visits you know who plays what, who is good and who is easy to talk to. Go regularly, play if you can, and stay afterwards. Most connections are made at the bar, not on stage.
Rehearsal and recording studios
Studios see local musicians every day. Many have noticeboards, and the people who run them often know who is looking for a band, who records good vocals and who is reliable. If you book time somewhere, ask the engineer who they would recommend. It is one of the best introductions you can get.
Music shops
Independent music shops often have a noticeboard with musicians wanted adverts, and staff who know the local scene well. Put up a card that says exactly what you need, what you play and how to reach you.
Colleges, universities and music schools
Music courses are full of people who want to play, record and write, and who often need collaborators for their own projects. Many have open events, student gigs or showcase nights you can go to. Some students also look for real-world projects outside their course.
Local gigs
Go and watch bands and artists at your level. Talk to the people on the bill, and to the people in the crowd who are obviously musicians too. Local promoters and sound engineers are also good people to know, because they see everyone who plays in town.
Local groups online
Between apps and in-person places there is a middle ground: local groups. Search Facebook for your city or town plus musicians, bands or music scene. Check the subreddit for your city and any music subreddits for your area. Look for local Discord servers, often run by a venue, a studio or a promoter. Meetup can be useful for songwriting circles and jam groups in bigger cities.
These groups can be busy and a bit random, so be specific when you post. "Looking for a drummer in the Leeds area, indie rock, rehearse weekly, gigs in a few months" gets better replies than "anyone want to start a band?". There are more ideas in the best places to find music collaborators.
How to approach someone you have found
Keep the first message short and personal. Say what you liked about their music, what you are working on, what you are looking for and where you are based. Include a link to something you have made so they can hear it in one tap.
Hi, I heard your set at [venue] last week and loved the guitar on your second song. I am a producer in [city] working on some indie and alt pop songs and looking for a guitarist to write with. Here is something I made recently: [link]. Would you be up for a session sometime?
Say what you are hoping for. A one-off session, a regular project, a band or a paid job are all different, and being clear means nobody feels misled later. If you are starting from scratch, how to find people to make music with has more on getting the first few connections.
Meeting up for the first time
For a first meeting, keep it low pressure. Have a coffee, go to a gig together or book a short slot at a rehearsal studio rather than inviting a stranger to your home. Tell someone where you are going. A rehearsal room is often ideal because it is neutral and has the gear you need.
Treat the first session as a try-out for both of you. Do you enjoy playing together? Does the other person turn up on time and do what they said? It is fine if it does not work out. Most people try a few collaborators before finding the right ones.
When local is not enough
If you live somewhere small, there may simply not be many people making your kind of music nearby. That is when it is worth opening the search up. Working with someone in another town, or another country, is normal now, and plenty of finished songs come from people who have only met a few times. How to collaborate on music remotely covers how to keep a long-distance project moving. You can keep looking for local people at the same time and meet up when you can.
Common questions
Is there an app to find musicians near me?
Yes, several. Band-finding sites such as BandMix are built around searching by instrument and area. Collaboration networks such as Tonivo let you search by role and genre, see where people are based on their profiles and message them, and you can post a call naming your city. The best results usually come from using an app alongside local open mics and studios.
How do I find local musicians to start a band?
Decide on the style and the roles you need, then post a specific advert in local Facebook groups, on band-finding sites and on music shop and rehearsal studio noticeboards. Go to open mics and jam nights regularly, because the people there are already playing locally. Try a rehearsal before committing to anything.
Where do musicians in my area hang out?
Open mics, jam nights, local gigs, rehearsal and recording studios, music shops and music courses are the usual places. Online, look at local Facebook groups, your city's subreddit and Discord servers run by local venues or studios.
How do I find local musicians to collaborate with online?
Use apps and sites where musicians list where they are based, and look for people in or near your city. Post a specific request that names your city and what you are looking for, so people nearby can come to you. Then meet up in person once you have spoken a few times.
Is it safe to meet musicians from the internet?
Take the same care you would with anyone you have met online. Talk for a while first, meet in a public place or a rehearsal studio rather than at home, and tell someone where you are going. Most musicians are just looking for people to play with, but it is sensible to be careful.