Austin: The Live Music Capital of the World
Austin rocks. It may not possess the big-ticket attractions of New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, or the culinary cachet of New Orleans. However, what Austin lacks in conventional tourist draws, it more than makes up for with a famously buzzing music scene. Its reputation as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ is as entrenched as local legend Willie Nelson’s wrinkles. High-profile festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest are just the beginning. With more than 250 venues in a city of just under a million people, it is a challenge deciding where to go and what to see.
Night-time is the right time
Packed with bars, pubs, clubs, and revellers, Sixth Street is arguably the city’s best-known musical thoroughfare. Although it is touristy, there is treasure to be found if you know where to look. The Parish is just one of several respected live music haunts. Furthermore, Red River Street is a sure bet for an indie or punk fix at alterna-mecca Emo’s or the fiercely eclectic Mohawk – just to name a few.
Besides being the state capital, Austin is home to the prestigious University of Texas. The epicentre of the university district is Guadalupe Street, affectionately known as ‘The Drag’. Like any student stomping ground, it hums with lively venues. A top pick is the legendary Hole in the Wall, established in 1974, maintaining its cheeky promise of ‘cheap music, fast drinks, and live women.’
Even more historic is the Continental Club in the vibrant South Congress (SoCo) district. Originally a ritzy supper club since 1957, this vintage-vibed venue has hosted everyone from Glenn Miller to Link Wray over the decades, becoming synonymous with killer roots, rock, and country. Local hero Jimmie Vaughan (Fabulous Thunderbirds) and illustrious transplant Ian McLagan (ex-Small Faces, Faces) both appear here regularly.
The beat goes on
Forget about sleeping in; Austin’s musical heartbeat continually resonates. This vibrant town lives and breathes music, and the city’s rich heritage shines through all around – a fact of life as well as a source of pride.
The Austin Music Memorial and the Texas Music Museum celebrate the key players, such as Janis Joplin and Roosevelt T Williams, who helped forge the music community. Meanwhile, giant Gibson guitars popping up around the streets serve as reminders of what truly matters here.
Of course, the city’s impressive number of record stores comes as no surprise. Renowned as America’s top independent record store, Waterloo Records is an excellent place to find local releases. Similarly, Antone’s Record Shop offers a treasure trove of music options.
Any city that honors its fallen musical heroes must be cool. A pilgrimage to the Stevie Ray Vaughan memorial overlooking Lady Bird Lake reveals as much about Austin’s soul as it does about Stevie Ray Vaughan himself. Regarded as one of the all-time guitar greats, Jimmie’s younger brother sadly passed away in a helicopter crash in 1990, yet his hometown immortalizes his spirit with this heartfelt tribute.
Keep Austin weird
Renowned for proudly flying the freak flag in conservative Texas, Austin has long embraced misfits, outcasts, eccentrics, students, and artists while nurturing its own. Consequently, this results in a community living by the memorable motto ‘Keep Austin weird.’ It is widely acknowledged that Austinites are a unique breed. As film director Quentin Tarantino noted, ‘It’s one of those cool towns where everyone is friendly.’ He is not exaggerating; people here are consistently warm, welcoming, and eager to share their city’s charms – musical and otherwise. From cabbies to waitresses to folks in the street, it truly is a veritable niceness epidemic!
