We're America's pop music capital, new study says

Clever Real Estate has confirmed what we already know — Columbus is one of the country's top music cities.

• And apparently we're a pop music city above all else, as we Google the genre more than folks in other big cities.

Driving the news: Columbus landed 13th on Clever's intriguing ranking of the 50 most populous U.S. metro areas for music, compiled using public data from sources like the U.S. Census and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why it matters: After a challenging couple years, our music scene is on the rebound.

• Nearby music festivals making a comeback in 2022 contributed to Columbus' ranking, along with our number of small concert venues, ticket prices and average musician pay.

By the numbers: Columbus' average concert ticket price (pre-pandemic) was $123 and a musician's median hourly wage was $31.40, per the study.

The intrigue: In addition to being No. 1 for pop music, Columbus ranked No. 3 for rock ’n’ roll web searches. (Take that, Cleveland.)

• We've got broad tastes, also placing No. 5 for jazz and heavy metal.

😅 Yes, but: The study notes that we're known as the hometown of ... country-pop group Rascal Flatts.

• Sorry, Twenty One Pilots fans. But don't worry, we're confident your Tour De Columbus Google searches helped land us that top spot.

🎵 Coming up: Music festivals to put on your calendar include:

• Inkcarceration Music & Tattoo Festival, July 15-17, Mansfield
• Buckeye Country Superfest, July 23, Columbus
• WonderBus Music & Arts Festival, Aug. 26-28, Columbus
• Nelsonville Music Festival, Sept. 2-4
• Lost Lands Music Festival, Sept. 23-25, Thornville

💭 Alissa's thought bubble: I'm glad Clever recognized intimate music venues. They really are the best places to hear live music.

• If you want to catch a smaller show, indie pop-punk band The Dollyrots, one of my favorites, is coming to Rumba Café on Monday. Just $12!

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