One of the premier music venues in the state is now being recognized as one of the best in the nation by Billboard Magazine!
Billboard Names Top Music Venues of 2026
Billboard Magazine has published its annual list of the top music venues in the nation, and one of the top spots on the Corridor has made the cut. Iowa Now reports that Hancher Auditorium is named in the ‘Keeping it Indie’ category, which features 28 venues classified by region, capacity, and more. Other venues in this category included The Sphere in Las Vegas and Preservation Hall in New Orleans.
A Midwest Powerhouse
Billboard touts Hancher as a “powerhouse for indie touring in the Midwest’, according to Iowa Now. The magazine hails the auditorium’s acoustics, sightlines, and lighting system. Plus, music lovers can stroll along the Iowa River and visit nearby shops and restaurants before and after shows.
Hancher was Found in the 1970s
Iowa Now reports that Hancher was founded in 1972 as a hub for creativity on the Iowa campus and Iowa City community. The current building isn’t the original auditorium. That building had to be demolished after being damaged in the 2008 flood. The current auditorium opened in September 2016 and seats 1800, according to Iowa Now.
Hancher has some big names on the bill in 2026, including;
- Rent in Concert – March 1st
- Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – March 4
- The Joffrey Ballet – March 7
- Bob Dylan – March 25 (SOLD OUT)
- Beetlejuice The Musical – May 1
You can order tickets for those shows and everything else coming to Hancher in 2026 HERE.
Iowans Share Their First Ever Concert Experiences
Do you remember the very first concert you ever attended? We asked listeners on Facebook, and these are some of the responses:
Gallery Credit: Courtlin
20 Major Iowa Fairs & Festivals to Look Forward to in 2026
2026 has arrived, and it’s going to be another busy year in the Hawkeye State! Here are details on 20 of the biggest annual fairs & festivals across the state of Iowa for 2026, listed in order of date.
Gallery Credit: Courtlin