Hidden beneath the rolling hills of Grundy County, Tennessee, lies a prehistoric cave system that has evolved into one of the world’s most immersive live music venues. Over millions of years, nature sculpted the limestone into breathtaking underground chambers, creating the remarkable acoustics that make The Caverns unlike any other concert experience.
The Caverns’ connected cave system stretches more than 8,000 linear feet beneath Tennessee, with experts believing people have used portions of the cave as shelter and gathering spaces for as long as 25,000 years.
The Big Mouth Cave is the venue’s only entry/exit. There are no backstage tunnels–fans, artists, and production crews enter through the very same cave mouth. The underground concert hall accommodates approximately 850 guests in reserved seating or up to 1,200 for standing-room shows.
Rolling Stone once described it as “Tennessee’s version of Colorado’s stunning Red Rocks Amphitheatre—but smaller and deep underground.” The Caverns has become what many fans claim as a bucket-list destination.
Photo: @lsdream
The Evolution of the Caverns
Founder Todd Mayo launched the original Bluegrass Underground concert series in 2008, with the inaugural performance by The SteelDrivers with Chris Stapleton on August 16 of that year at a similar venue Volcano Room at Cumberland Caverns in McMinnville, Tennessee. In 2018 the show was moved to The Caverns when Billy Strings was the first artist to perform on Bluegrass Underground from The Caverns. As the series grew in popularity, it eventually found its permanent home inside The Caverns, later evolving into the Emmy Award-winning PBS television series The Caverns Sessions.
What started as an ambitious experiment in underground acoustic performances has become one of the world’s most unique live music destinations, hosting everyone from country legends and rock icons to jam bands and electronic artists.
Make the Most of the Trip
If you’re traveling to The Caverns for the first time, seasoned visitors recommend arriving early, or even a day ahead, to explore what makes the venue special beyond the music.
Guided cave tours take guests through the Big Room Cave, where you’ll learn geological history, local folklore, and stories behind one of Tennessee’s most fascinating natural landmarks. Depending on the day’s schedule, you may even get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the underground concert hall before doors open.
Above ground, the surrounding South Cumberland region offers hiking trails, waterfalls, rock climbing, and scenic overlooks, making it easy to turn a concert weekend into a full outdoor adventure.
For overnight stays, fans can choose nearby hotels or remain immersed in the experience through on-site camping and glamping accommodations.
Photo: @treysarmento
EDM in The Caverns
Although The Caverns built its reputation on bluegrass, electronic music has embraced the venue over the past several years.
The venue’s first bass music show took place on March 6, 2020, when Svdden Death brought his VOYD project underground with support from Phiso and Somnium Sound. Svdden Death then curated two editions of Summoning of the Eclipse, before the festival was no longer held at The Caverns.
Other curated electronic events have included LSDREAM’s Rave Cave, CloZee’s Odyzey Voyage, Deathpact’s When Darkness Comes Light Tour, and more. More recently, Chris Lorenzo delivered an intimate open-to-close set that showcased how well house music translates inside the underground space. ALLEYCVT brought back Supersonic Caverns for its second edition, featuring what organizers described as the largest laser production ever installed inside The Caverns.
The calendar shows even more electronic music to come. Mersiv returns with Stonehenge II, featuring support from Taki Nulight, The Widdler, Green Matter, and more, while Level Up’s Celestial Caverns brings TYNAN, MYTHM, Cyclops, Sharlitz Web, and more. Big Gigantic’s Double Vision, alongside Smoakland, Zoska, Sunsquabi, Phyphr, and more, will continue expanding the venue’s growing electronic music legacy.
The Caverns brings back the true “underground” rave vibe, but in the most unique way. What are your thoughts on The Caverns? Would you make the trip?