Live music is a universal language, transcending cultural and language barriers. With its powerful ability to stir emotions, evoke memories, and form deep connections, music is magical. An experience with private live music is even more unforgettable, offering an intimate connection between the artist and the audience. In a world where we often share our musical experiences in crowded venues, it’s a true privilege to experience a private encounter with musicians and their craft. We look at 7 of our most unique private live music experiences, from an exclusive concert in Hue to a recording session in Nashville.
Read more: After Hours: Travel Like a VIP With These Exclusive Experiences
1. Experience an exclusive sunset dinner with local musicians in Rajasthan, India
The northern Indian state of Rajasthan has a rich cultural identity, and music is at the heart of it. Its desert folk songs have been passed down through generations for centuries, and there are several instruments only found in Rajasthan, including the dholak drum and the 17-stringed kamaicha.
You’ll be enchanted by the evocative sounds of Rajasthan’s desert folk music at an exclusive sunset banquet. As the sun sets over the soaring sand dunes of the Thar Desert, you’ll dine on traditional nomadic dishes, while local musicians serenade you with their distinct melodies. As the stars appear in the dark night sky, you’ll feel swept away in the magic of the music and the ancient desert.
Experience this on: Imperial Rajasthan
Read more: Golden Moments in the Golden City: What Awaits Luxury Gold Guests in Jaisalmer
2. Enjoy a private concert at Camille Huyen’s family home in Hue, Vietnam
In the historic city of Hue, Luxury Gold guests will be invited into the home of the celebrated painter and singer, Camille Huyen. You’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and a private concert, with Camille serenading the group with traditional music. You’ll also explore the authentic home she shares with her husband, learning about their captivating journey and the dream that guided them back to Vietnam. A blend of music, art, and storytelling creates an unforgettable evening.
Experience this on: Sensational Vietnam & Laos & Inspiring Indochina
Read more: These Luxury Travel Experiences Will Never Go Out of Style
3. Record a song in a private session in Studio B in Nashville, USA
It’s one thing to listen to private live music. It’s another thing entirely to create it yourself. Luxury Gold guests will join a professional sound engineer at Nashville’s iconic Studio B, where you’ll record a take-home song, just as legends like Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton have done here before. Studio B was a cradle of music in the 1950s and 60s, with everyone from the Everly Brothers to Roy Orbison, Chet Atkins and Eddy Arnold recording here.
As part of this rare recording session, you’ll also have a private session with a Nashville singer/songwriter to learn the stories behind the icons and how they created their famous songs – from the first notes to global success. Later, you’ll enjoy a live country music show at the Grand Ole Opry.
If you’re traveling on a Founder’s Collection departure, you’ll even meet a music legend. You could meet the renowned Brenda Lee, the top-charting solo female singer in the 1960s, or Charlie McCoy, the Grammy-winning legend who’s collaborated with the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Loretta Lynn.
Experience this on: Southern Grace
Read more: Brenda Lee: The pop icon who inspired some of the biggest names in music
4. Witness a private musical performance in Neputa Village, Japan
The Tsugaru-han Neputa Village in the city of Hirosaki is home to the remarkable traditional arts and crafts of the region. You’ll see colorful decorations and enormous, intricate floats being prepared by skilled craftsmen for the summer festival, Neputa Matsuri. They take almost a year to create and will be paraded through the streets during this 300-year-old festival that also features vibrant performances of the Tsugaru-jamisen.
You’ll also witness a private music performance of Tsugaru Shamisen guitar and Taiko drumming. The rhythmic, heart-pounding beats of the drum combined with the soulful guitar strings tell spirited stories of ancient Japan. It’s a truly special experience to watch this traditional performance in such an intimate setting.
Experience this on: Majestic Japan
Read more: Bird Costumes and Cherry Blossom: Why Spring is the Best Time to Visit Japan
5. Experience traditional Māori music in Rotorua, New Zealand
Get a rich insight into the culture of Māori, New Zealand’s Indigenous people, with this incredible experience in Rotorua. You’ll stroll through the ancient forest village with your local Māori guide and learn about traditional art forms. Later, you’ll indulge in a Hāngī feast, cooked traditionally in a pit oven using geothermal steam at Te Pā Tū. As you dig into your unique meal, you’ll witness a live cultural performance showcasing ancient stories, songs and performing arts. See the iconic Haka (war dance) and action dances, all surrounded by the enchanting forest of Rotorua.
Experience this on: The Long White Cloud
Read more: Rugged luxury: Why a Trip to New Zealand Might Surprise You
6. Enjoy a private performance of Cante Alentejano in Lisbon, Portugal
Luxury Gold guests will enjoy a delicious Portuguese lunch all while witnessing a private live music performance of Cante Alentejano, a traditional polyphonic singing style from the Alentejo region of Portugal. This unique musical art form is characterized by its rich harmonies and distinctive vocal techniques. The soloists lead a verse and the group creates a powerful harmony. The mesmerizing songs tell the stories of love, nature, work and daily life in the rural region. The music is a beautiful way to get an insight into this regional culture. Cante Alentejano has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, for its cultural significance in the Alentejo region.
Experience this on: Spain & Portugal in Style
Read more: 5 timeless and beautiful European cities to re-discover this summer
7. Witness Indigenous music with Cree Warrior Women in the Canadian Rockies
Luxury Gold guests go beyond the spectacular landscapes of the Canadian Rockies, connecting with the traditional owners of the land. We’ll meet some of the First Nations Cree Warrior Women from the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation in this exclusive, intimate experience. You’ll have the opportunity to talk with women, including matriarchs Matricia and Mackenzie Brown. Y learn about their Indigenous spirituality, culture and connection to their land. We’ll sit down to enjoy a fireside barbecue, all while witnessing a musical performance of storytelling through drumming and song. Set on the shores of Trefoil Lake in Jasper, you’ll gaze up at the beautiful Pyramid Mountain as you listen to the rhythmic drumming and singing.
Experience this on: Majesty of the Rockies
Read more: Uncovering Indigenous history with Canada’s Warrior Women
Take an unforgettable journey through the Canadian Rockies on the Rocky Mountaineer. With GoldLeaf Service, you’ll experience one of the most spectacular boutique train journeys in the world, as we roll from Jasper in Alberta to the city of Vancouver. 
Meals are another highlight of the GoldLeaf Service, served in the dedicated dining room on the lower level of the bi-level coach. Crafted by talented chefs with locally sourced ingredients, you’ll indulge in the authentic flavors of the region. Enjoy a glass of wine, a freshly baked cookie, and other gourmet snacks, before disembarking each evening to spend your night in a luxurious hotel. 
Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa is the epitome of luxury train travel in South Africa, with lashings of old-world charm and an Agatha Christie-esque atmosphere. The journey starts with you settling into your private suite, dripping in vintage decor while equipped with modern comforts. The lavish suites are wood-paneled with thick carpet and everything from full-size beds and private bathrooms and amenity bags to air-conditioning and fluffy white gowns. 
The dining car will quickly become a firm favorite with breakfast, lunch, and a formal dinner every day. You’ll indulge in four-course meals crafted by skilled chefs and paired with the finest South African wines. The dress code is smart casual during the day and more formal in the evenings, adding to the allure of this vintage journey.
The Glacier Express may be the 
You’ll see it all from your plush first-class seat. The glass-domed carriage has panoramic windows allowing you to feel close to the landscapes outside. You’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch prepared onboard.
Renowned as one of the most beautiful train journeys, the Flåm Railway offers a mesmerizing showcase of Norway’s ethereal beauty. Setting off from historic Bergen, it’s a feast for the eyes as you wind through majestic fjords and snowy mountains. You’ll marvel at the idyllic countryside with its fairytale waterfalls and charming red clapboard cottages. You’ll also come face to face with the Norwegian wilderness passing over the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, the highest in Europe.
Climb aboard the Vistadome Train for a journey through Peru’s remarkable landscapes to the mysterious Machu Picchu. You’ll set off from the Sacred Valley, passing through the spectacular Urubamba Valley. It’s incredible to see the towering Andes, cascading rivers, and verdant forest whizzing by your window.
Legs stretched, we’ll once again board the train, settling into the comfortable seats surrounded by panoramic glass windows. There’s also an outdoor observation carriage, so you can inch closer to the stunning landscapes. If the natural beauty isn’t enough, you’ll also be entertained by live traditional music on the train and enjoy meals inspired by the region’s rich culinary scene. The star of today is the final destination – the iconic Machu Picchu – but the journey here is sure to be as unforgettable as the Incan ruins themselves. 
One of the best ways to explore Rajasthan and northern India is a journey on the Jan Shatabdi Express Train. We’ll board the train in the historic town of Bhraratpur, and set off into the heart of Rajasthan. You won’t want to blink as charming villages, lush plantations and countryside roll by. 
