The Austin Music Scene
The melodic sounds of backbeats and strumming guitars permeate the streets of Austin, the “Live Music Capital of the World"
Enjoy everything from bluegrass, country and folk to jazz and rock as you experience the eclectic musical landscape of Texas' capital city via its numerous festivals, special events and more than 250 live music venues.
1. Famous Venues
Experience the thrill of a television taping at the downtown-based Moody Theater which hosts the long-running PBS live music performance show, “Austin City Limits.” The 2,700-seat venue stages concerts, even after the cameras leave, from a variety of major acts. Buckle your belt and polish your rhinestones at the Broken Spoke, South Austin's beloved honky-tonk dance hall. Continue dancing the night away at the Continental Club, the 1957 nightclub in trendy South Congress that highlights country, rockabilly and swing musicians. Soak up some history at downtown's 1915 Paramount Theater, a former vaudeville venue that now welcomes big name musical performers.
2. Festival Fun
Join fellow music lovers each March at South by Southwest, the famed 10-day film, music and interactive media festival, where marquee bands play at over 50 venues around the city. Austin City Limits is a massive annual music and arts festival held over two weekends in October. Check out more than 130 performers, including electronic, indie and folk acts, performing on Zilker Park’s eight stages. The park also hosts the free Blues on the Green series during the summer. In April, R&B, jazz and gospel fill the green space of Auditorium Shores at the Urban Music Festival.
3. Tiny Digs
Some of the smallest venues in Austin produce some of the biggest sounds. Rub elbows with cowboys at Little Longhorn Saloon, an Allandale dive bar with country acts; soak up the smooth sounds of jazz in the cramped quarters of the Elephant Room, nestled in the bustling 2nd Street District; find undiscovered indie talent at downtown's Mohawk; and explore multi-cultural musical roots at the White Horse, a cozy bar in East Austin featuring Tejano musicians. Look beyond the students and books and visit the University of Texas’ own Cactus Cafe, the cherished on-campus club that showcases local musicians.
4. Highbrow Options
Set out for an evening of high culture at the elegant Michael and Susan Dell Hall at the Long Center for the Performing Arts, where Austin Opera performs three shows each year from November through May. Embrace classical music, American standards and Broadway show tunes, all performed by the Austin Symphony Orchestra in Dell Hall and the Palmer Events Center, the latter of which is tucked away in the heart of Butler Park.
5. Dance and Dine
Barbecued brisket and live music go hand-in-hand at the massive outdoor and quaint indoor concert spaces of downtown’s legendary Stubb’s BBQ. Indulge in slow-smoked meats, local beers and nightly concerts in the second-story bar at Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue. Head to Austin's West Congress neighborhood and chow down on old-school diner fare, including chicken-fried steak and meatloaf, at Hill’s Cafe, a 1947 institution with free live Americana and bluegrass acts. Gobble up burgers and acoustic music at the laid-back Shady Grove in South Austin. Margaritas and music are on tap in SoCo at Guero’s Taco Bar, where an eclectic group of musicians perform on the patio garden’s stage.
6. Unique Sites
Find live music in unique settings throughout Austin, beginning with free shows every Friday at noon in City Hall’s outdoor plaza. Pick up some groceries at Central Market before pausing for a free concert on the outdoor patio. Search for rare albums at downtown’s Waterloo Records, and enjoy live in-store performances from a variety of local artists. You’ll even be entertained as you arrive in town via Austin-Bergstrom International Airport where local musicians often perform right outside terminal gates.
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