Gifts for Musicians: The Beats for Relief Holiday Gift Guide

Are you shopping for a gift for the musician in your life? Whether they record songs in a spare bedroom, play gigs every weekend, or spend half the year on the road, this guide makes it easy to find something they will actually use.

At Beats for Relief, we have produced 500+ live music and comedy events since 2011, working with artists in 35+ venues across 10 countries. Musicians are the heart of everything we do. They are the reason we have raised over €150,000 for 50+ nonprofits. So we built this list around what we hear from them most.

Every purchase supports Beats for Relief and our mission to support nonprofits. We earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick picks

What musicians tell us they value most

After hundreds of soundchecks, green rooms and load-outs, these are the things artists bring up again and again:

  • Protecting their ears. Loud stages add up, and hearing is a musician’s most important instrument.

  • Gear that just works. Reliable, simple tools beat flashy ones when the show starts in five minutes.

  • Capturing ideas fast. A melody at 2am or a lyric on the train can turn into the next song.

  • Traveling light and organized. Fewer bags, less stress, more energy for the show.

Gifts for the home studio musician

For the artist who writes, records and demos at home.

Gifts for the gigging musician

For the one who plays bars, weddings, festivals and every stage in between.

Gifts for the touring musician

For the artist who lives out of a suitcase.

How to choose a gift for a musician

  • Think about where they play. Home studio, local stages or on tour? Start with the section above that fits.

  • Go practical. Musicians love gifts they will use every week over gifts that sit on a shelf.

  • Not sure about their setup? Choose something universal like earplugs, a notebook or a backpack. They work for every instrument and genre.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good gift for a musician who has everything?

High-fidelity earplugs like the Loop Switch 2 are a safe bet. Many musicians do not own a good pair, and every one of them needs to protect their hearing.

What do musicians need for a home studio?

The basics are a good microphone, a pair of studio headphones and a place to capture ideas. The AT2020USB-X and ATH-M50x are a great starting setup.

What is a good gift for a musician on a budget?

A Moleskine notebook for lyrics and setlists is affordable and gets used constantly. Earplugs are another great gift that will not break the bank.

What is the best gift for a touring musician?

Anything that makes travel easier. A durable carry-on like the Paravel Aviator and a set of packing cubes are at the top of the list.

How does Beats for Relief support musicians?

We book and pay artists to play live music and comedy events at hotels, venues and brand activations, and every event supports a cause. Musicians are the glue that helps us drive awareness and donations for the nonprofits we work with.

The best gift of all

Go see them play. Buy the ticket, bring a friend and stay for the whole set. And if you want to put a musician on stage for a good cause, get in touch with us. We love our artists and we are always looking for new ways to support them.

Affiliate disclosure: some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Beats for Relief may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps support our work with artists and nonprofits.

Tia Einarsen