Lexington has a reputation for being a great city for the creative arts, and its vibrant music scene is no exception to the rule. The truth is that a list of all the talented artists from or currently making music in the area would be unimaginably long. So instead we’ll keep it brief and periodically highlight a few of the best, starting with these five musicians. 

Tyler Childers

Alternative country musician Tyler Childers has made a name for himself as a national act, but his career began in Lexington, where he frequently performed after a stint at Bluegrass Community College. His breakout record, Purgatory, was met with critical acclaim, as was the follow-up record that earned a glowing review in Pitchfork magazine, Country Squire. It’s worth mentioning that another famous Kentucky native, Sturgill Simpson, helped produce these albums, making Childers’ recorded work a showcase of regional talents across the board.

Johnny Conqueroo

The work of trio Johnny Conqueroo can be described as a lot of things, but most succinctly as blues-rock with a DIY and psychedelic edge. Their list of releases is an impressive one, with their debut record Washed Up quickly becoming a staple of the local scene upon its release in late 2016. Their 2018 single “Brick” is a solid introduction to their unique sound and organic production style, as well as their cover of Howlin Wolf’s “Smokestack Lightnin’” from their debut EP.

People Planet

Self-described indie-pop outfit People Planet formed in 2017, with their inaugural single and subsequent extended play arriving the following year. Since then the band has been prolific in their touring schedule, interrupted only by the pandemic restrictions of the past year. Unexpected global circumstances, however, didn’t stop them from continuing their release of a string of Americana-tinged alternative rock singles. While the details of a debut full-length LP remain in the shadows, the music community in Lexington has its eyes (and ears) peeled.

Ivy Rye

Anyone who’s seen enough street lamp poles (and reusable water bottles of the decidedly hip) in the Lexington area has probably seen an Ivy Rye sticker. It must be noted, of course, that the band itself creates undeniably charming pop rock. Arguably most emblematic of this sound is their breakout single, “Life is Good”, which won Song of the Year at the 2020 Lexington Music Awards. Since the easing of Covid restrictions, they’ve wasted no time getting back to business with their energetic live shows. Needless to say, the band’s next move is a highly anticipated one.

Richard Hell

It’s easy to forget that one of the most iconic frontmen of punk rock hails from Lexington, as he made a name for himself in the 70s New York underground. Throughout the decade he was involved in multiple pioneering music groups, including The Neon Boys, the Heartbreakers, and perhaps most notably Television. During this time he would not only help define the sound of American counterculture but go on to inspire the likes of Patti Smith and the Strokes. 1977’s Blank Generation, with his band the Voidoids, is a seminal work of the more cerebral punk that emerged in the wake of the first wave.