Although American Indie pop singer-songwriter Spencer Sutherland is in the midst of a 30-stop world tour of The Drama, a modern rock opera based on his life, his love for his hometown of Central Ohio never wanes.
Q&A with Spencer Sutherland
Spencer Sutherland. Source: Red Light Management.
“Pickerington is the place where I fell in love with music,” Sutherland says. “It’s the quintessential storybook place to grow up. My friends and I would go see our high school’s football games on Friday nights and spend our free time riding bikes and playing basketball and baseball in the park.”
How did Central Ohio prepare you for your career?
I went to Pickerington North High School, and we had an amazing show choir and awesome theater program that was known across the country. I was very lucky to be a student there and have the encouragement and support of my parents to pursue my dream.
What are your favorite Ohio places?
Although I live in Los Angeles now, I return home as often as I can. I love seeing shows at Newport Music Hall. There’s nothing like a great cup of coffee. My favorites are Stauf’s Coffee Roasters in German Village for cold brew and New Standard Coffee Roastery in Columbus, which makes an Ethiopian blend that I love. Everything on the menu is an option for me at Fox in the Snow Cafe bakery and coffee shop.
Read on for more music in Columbus.
Newport Music Hall
LIVE MUSIC IN COLUMBUS
Enjoy live music at the city’s most celebrated locations.
Be entertained in high-energy ways at Shadowbox Live, the largest resident theater company in America, known for diverse sketch comedy, rock shows and dance performances. Experience the perfect trio of live music, curated cocktails and wood-fired pizza at Natalie’s Grandview. Make a day or night of it at Skully’s Music-Diner by partaking of a late-morning breakfast or opting to dine and dance the night away with DJ-spun tunes or live music. Be among the first to hear up-and-coming regional and national music acts at Ace of Cups, managed by local artists. See touring acts at the Newport Music Hall, the longest continually running rock hall in the country. Listen to world-renowned acts at Nationwide Arena in the Arena District and at Schottenstein Center on The Ohio State University campus. Don’t let the weather keep you from attending an evening of favorite music at Kemba Live!, an indoor/outdoor concert venue included in Billboard’s rating of the “Top 25 Most Popular Music Clubs in the U.S.” Want more ideas? Visit the Columbus Live Music Trail and follow the path to venues you won’t want to miss, and the chance to win prizes along the way.
Columbus is home to several record stores. Source: Experience Columbus
RECORD STORES IN COLUMBUS
Shop for vintage vinyl records and new releases at shops around Columbus. Find records galore from every musical act imaginable at Magnolia Thunderpussy in the Short North Arts District. Head downtown to discover why Spoonful Records believes “music feeds the soul” while browsing their inventory of new and gently used records, CDs, cassettes and new turntables. Head north on High Street to find two shops within half a mile of each other. Lost Weekend Records specializes in new and used vinyl and other music collectables, while Records Per Minute hosts listening parties and specializes in hard-to-find titles. Close by, Used Kids Records has a wide collection and also stocks stereo equipment to play them on.
Buckeye Country Superfest
MUSIC EVENTS IN COLUMBUS
Listen to music on three stages during the Creekside Blues & Jazz Festival in Gahanna on June 13–15. There are also kids’ shows and dance parties.
Top rock and metal bands play all day at the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival at Historic Crew Stadium on May 8–11. Metallica headlines two nights with completely different set lists.
Gather with other fans for superstar performances from headliners Jelly Roll, Kane Brown and others during Buckeye Country Superfest at Ohio Stadium on June 21.
This article originally appeared in the 2025 Columbus Visitor Guide. Order your free copy here.
