Reviewed by: Elizabeth Hobbs
Musicians we hope to see in Huntsville
Reading time: 11 minutes
We asked, you answered: “What musicians do you want to see in Huntsville?”
Huntsville is steadily becoming a popular music destination thanks to efforts of the Huntsville Music Office and several local venues from the Orion to the Lumberyard (plus a new coming-soon TVG venue). Tons of popular artists have performed here, such as Lana Del Rey, Greta Van Fleet, Dave Matthews Band and so many more.
Top 20 musicians you want to see
Foo Fighters
Foo Fighters has been an international rock sensation for as long as I’ve been alive, honestly.
You could say they’ve been ‘rocking’ everybody’s world with their tunes since 1994. With an impressive 15 Grammy awards to their name, I’d agree that this band is one that us Huntsvillians would enjoy seeing at the Orion.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 19.1 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Everlong: 1.5 billion streams
- The Pretender: 945 million streams
- Learn to Fly: 704 million streams
Tyler Childers
Tyler Childers is an American country singer-songwriter. Many of his songs have gone viral on TikTok, which played a role in him becoming a very popular name in country music. While he hasn’t won any Grammys yet, it is worth mentioning that several of his songs have been nominated.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 11.6 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Feathered Indians: 648 million streams
- All Your’n: 568 million streams
- Shake the Frost (Live): 369 million streams
Paramore
This band has had tons of hits, so it’s no surprise that many hope to see them perform at the Orion someday. Paramore is an American rock band that is now independent from record labels after having completed a 20 year contract with Atlantic Records. Interestingly, after two decades of making music, the trio band won their first two Grammys just last year.
Fun fact: Lead singer, Hayley Williams, was featured on Taylor Swift’s album, ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version),’ on the track titled ‘Castles Crumbling.’
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 28.4 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Still into You: 1 billion streams
- The Only Exception: 704 million streams
- All I Wanted: 437 million streams
Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots has seen amazing success over the years. From writing songs for the movie ‘The Suicide Squad,’ to winning a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group, this musical duo is on the path of leaving a historical legacy.
Fun fact: Twenty One Pilots drummer, Josh Dun, is married to and expecting a child with Huntsville native actress Debby Ryan!
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 34.3 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Stressed Out: 2.7 billion streams
- Ride: 2 billion streams
- Heathens: 2 billion streams
Imagine Dragons
I’m a firm believer that everyone has heard at least one Imagine Dragons song. I mean, they’ve been all over the radio and have made songs for films and TV for the longest. This band has achieved insane amounts of success, and I don’t foresee them slowing down anytime soon.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 53.8 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Believer: 3.6 billion streams
- Demons: 2.8 billion streams
- Thunder: 2.8 billion streams
One last thing: Spotify lists an artist’s top 10 most streamed tracks. All 10 of Imagine Dragons’ tracks have over 1 billion streams.
J. Cole
Now, let’s dive into our first rapper on the list.
Over the last 13 years, J. Cole, critically acclaimed rapper and producer, has received 17 Grammy nominations. He’s a highly respected figure in the hip-hop world and has certainly made a cultural impact with his records. Some of his tracks were the forefront of viral social media trends, including ‘She Knows’ and ‘Work Out.’
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 32.9 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- No Role Modelz: 2.7 billion streams
- Wet Dreamz: 1.4 billion streams
- Work Out: 1.2 billion streams
Alabama Shakes
Us locals are familiar with Shakes!
Brittany Howard, the rock band’s lead singer and guitarist, is an Athens native. With a total of four Grammys under their belt along with nine nominations, their success within the music industry is undeniable. Plus, in downtown Athens, you can find a signed mural of Brittany Howard.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 2.7 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Hold On: 211 million streams
- Always Alright: 104 million streams
- This Feeling: 126 million streams
Sublime
This ska punk band is one with an unforgettable story. Sublime had originally broken up in 1996 after the unfortunate passing of lead vocalist, Bradley Nowell, but in 2023, the original band members reunited with Nowell’s son, Jakob. Since then, Sublime has been revived and formed into a newer version that effectively continues the band’s legacy.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 10.9 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Santeria: 1 billion streams
- What I got: 609 million streams
- Badfish: 260 million
BigXThaPlug
In recent years, this American rapper has skyrocketed into the spotlight. BigXThaPlug is a versatile artist with songs in both the hip-hop and country genre. He has collaborated with tons of big-name artists like Offset and Luke Combs.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 19.5 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Mmhmm: 455 million streams
- Levels: 283 million streams
- Texas: 251 million streams
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is one of the biggest names in pop. I can’t remember a time when the radio wasn’t playing his music. Ed has four Grammys to his name, as well as many other music awards and trophies. His music has also been featured in a number of films and TV like ‘Ted Lasso,’ ‘Love Island USA,’ ‘Me Before You’ and more.
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 93.1 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Shape of You: 4.5 billion streams
- Perfect: 3.6 billion streams
- Photograph: 3.1 billion streams
Cage the Elephant
Cage the Elephant, also known as CTE by fans, is a Grammy-winning rock band that’s been around since the early 2000s. They have many hits to their name, some of which have been featured in TV, like ‘Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked.’
Total monthly Spotify listeners: 17.1 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Cigarette Daydreams: 1.2 billion streams
- Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked: 879 million streams
- Come a Little Closer: 557 million streams
John Mayer
John Mayer established himself as a major figure in the alt rock world back in the early 2000s. With four Grammys to his name, his blues-influenced sound is easily recognizable by many. You can find his tunes on all streaming platforms, plus he even has his own Sirius XM station (Channel 14).
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 17.2 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- New Light: 804 million streams
- Your Body is a Wonderland: 633 million streams
- Slow Dancing in a Burning Room: 621 million streams
Ella Langley
Ella Langley’s career in country music skyrocketed in recent years thanks to her TikTok viral track ‘you look like you love me.’ Now, you can catch her on tour this year and next year with familiar country music names like Eric Church and Morgan Wallen.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 11.8 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- you look like you love me: 253 million streams
- weren’t for the wind: 172 million streams
- Country Boy’s Dream Girl: 109 million
Red Hot Chili Peppers
This iconic band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 2012. Their funky, rock sound and storytelling in their songs helped them become a household name in the music industry. Along with being Hall of Fame inductees, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have won three Grammys and several other awards in their career.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 40.8 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Californication: 1.8 billion streams
- Under the Bridge: 1.7 billion streams
- Can’t Stop: 1.6 billion streams
Sierra Ferrell
Sierra Ferrell is a Nashville-based musician. Since releasing her debut album in 2021, Sierra Ferrell has collaborated with big-name artists in music like Zach Bryan, Diplo and more. Her sound is described as a delightful blend of bluegrass and folk, and it’s said that this artist brings ‘beautifully strange magic’ to everything she touches.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 2.9 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Holy Roller (feat. Sierra Ferrell): 75 million streams
- In Dreams: 51 million streams
- Ready or Not (feat. Sierra Ferrell): 41 million streams
Slipknot
This band is arguably one of the most—if not the most—popular heavy metal band. Fans fell in love with this band because of their duality. While their sound is super aggressive, chaotic and ferocious, the fans also enjoy seeing their goofy sides in interviews.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 14.8 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Duality: 1 billion streams
- Psychosocial: 778 million streams
- Before I Forget: 678 million streams
Post Malone
Post Malone has seen major success as both a rapper and a country star. It’s been quite impressive to see how he shifted seamlessly from performing rap hits like ‘Rockstar’ to having an entirely new segment of fans because of hits like ‘I Had Some Help.’
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 65.7 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Sunflower – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: 3.9 billion streams
- Rockstar (feat. 21 Savage): 3.2 billion streams
- Circles: 2.9 billion streams
Bob Seger
Who knows, perhaps this retired singer-songwriter will make a return just for us Huntsvillians? Bob Seger is another artist on this list who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He’s best known for his rock melodies and raspy vocals.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 7.5 million
Top three songs on Spotify:
- Old Time Rock & Roll: 458 million streams
- Night Moves: 344 million streams
- Still the Same: 154 million streams
Fall Out Boy
Fall Out Boy is known for their electric, thrilling concerts and creating songs that perfectly combine pop and rock. Many of their tracks have been featured in movies and TV, including the Disney movie ‘Big Hero 6.’
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 23.3 million
- Top three songs on Spotify:
- Centuries: 1.4 billion streams
- Sugar, We’re Going Down: 961 million streams
- Thnks fr the Mmrs: 919 million streams
Niall Horan
Most people probably recognize this Irish artist from his time as a member of One Direction, one of the most successful boybands of all time. Since the band’s indefinite hiatus in 2015, Niall Horan has found success in his solo career. His albums ‘Flicker’ and ‘The Show’ saw great success upon release, with many unforgettable radio hits stemming from them.
Total monthly listeners on Spotify: 10.7 million
- Top three songs on Spotify:
- This Town: 1.1 billion streams
- Slow Hands: 1 billion streams
- Too Much To Ask: 524 million streams
Which of these artists would you be most excited to see at the Orion? Let us know on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and subscribe to our newsletter for the latest takes summarized + delivered straight to your inbox.
