Anderson is the "Electric City" of South Carolina's Upstate, a historic textile town on the shores of Lake Hartwell, between Greenville and Clemson. Its downtown has a brewery-and-winery open mic that welcomes everything from drums to poetry. Bars across the Upstate host weekly open jams, and the region's deep country and Southern rock roots give local players plenty to work with. This guide covers Anderson's history, its music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams.
A Brief History of Anderson
The South Carolina Upstate was Cherokee land until the late 1700s. After the Revolution, settlers moved into the area, and in 1826 the town of Anderson was laid out and named for General Robert Anderson, a Revolutionary War officer and local landowner.
Anderson earned its nickname in the 1890s, when engineer William Whitner brought hydroelectric power to the town from a dam on the Rocky River and then from Portman Shoals on the Seneca River. It was one of the earliest long-distance electric transmission systems in the South, and Anderson proudly became the "Electric City." Cheap power fueled a boom in cotton mills, and textiles dominated the local economy for most of the 20th century.
When the mills declined, Anderson diversified into manufacturing and education. Anderson University has grown into a major regional school, and Clemson University is just 20 minutes away. Lake Hartwell, created by a dam in the 1960s, made the area a destination for boating and fishing.
The Anderson Music Scene
The Upstate's music runs from Southern gospel and country to Southern rock; the Marshall Tucker Band came out of nearby Spartanburg, and bluegrass and old-time music thrive in the foothills toward the Blue Ridge. Anderson University's South Carolina School of the Arts trains musicians in classical, worship and commercial music, and the Anderson Symphony Orchestra performs a full season.
Downtown Anderson's breweries and restaurants book local acts, and the Civic Center of Anderson hosts larger events. For bigger concerts, players head 30 minutes north to Greenville, home of the Peace Center, the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and a busy club scene, or to Clemson's Brooks Center for the Performing Arts.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Anderson
- Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery (115 Federal St.) – A downtown brewery and winery with live music and a weekly open mic.
- Magnetic South Brewery (516 N. Main St.) – A downtown brewpub with regular live music.
- The Fickle Palate (downtown) – A restaurant with regular acoustic shows.
- Civic Center of Anderson – The city's event and concert space.
- Brooks Center for the Performing Arts (Clemson) – Clemson University's concert venue, about 20 minutes west.
- Peace Center and Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville) – The Upstate's big stages, about 30 minutes north.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Anderson
Anderson's flagship open mic is downtown, and the surrounding Upstate adds several weekly open jams. Below are the best options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's social media before heading out with your gear.
In Anderson
- Open Mic at Carolina Bauernhaus Brewery & Winery (115 Federal St.) – Weekly, 6:00–9:00 p.m., with sign-up at 5:30 p.m. Listings have shown both Monday and Tuesday, so confirm the night with the venue at (864) 401-8167. All genres, originals and covers; musicians, songwriters and poets welcome. A PA, mics and cables are provided, and it's drum-friendly. Under-21 performers allowed. Performers can also audition for paid gigs; bring your three best songs and talk to the staff.
Nearby in the Upstate
- Open Mic Jam at Golden Grove Farm & Brew (Piedmont) – Mondays from 7:00 p.m. About 20 minutes northeast.
- Open Mic Jam at 3 Friends Bar & Grill (Taylors) – Mondays, 7:00 p.m. until close. About 45 minutes northeast.
- Fountain Inn Taproom Open Mic (Fountain Inn) – A band-friendly open mic with three songs per act.
- Upstate bluegrass jams – Palmetto Showcase's live music calendar lists bluegrass and acoustic jams across the region, including the Open Jam at Traditions Bluegrass.
Anderson-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday or Tuesday (confirm) | Open Mic (6 p.m.) | Carolina Bauernhaus, Anderson | All Styles (drum-friendly) |
| Monday | Open Mic Jam (7 p.m.) | Golden Grove Farm & Brew, Piedmont | All Styles |
| Monday | Open Mic Jam (7 p.m.) | 3 Friends Bar & Grill, Taylors | All Styles |
| Varies | Open Mic | Fountain Inn Taproom | All Styles |
Tips for Playing Anderson-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Use the open mic to get booked. Carolina Bauernhaus auditions performers for paid gigs.
- Think Upstate-wide. Greenville, Clemson and Easley add many more options within 30 minutes.
- Mind the humidity. Summer heat and humidity are tough on instruments; keep them out of hot cars.
- Learn some Southern rock and country. Upstate crowds love both.
Helpful Local Resources
- Palmetto Showcase (palmettoshowcase.com) – The Upstate live music calendar, including open mics and jams.
- Open Mic Carolina (openmiccarolina.com) – Open mic listings across the Carolinas.
- Visit Anderson (visitandersonsc.com) – Event calendar.
