20 years ago, most of Austin’s venues were independently and locally run. But over time, corporations like Live Nation and Oak View Group have entered Austin’s venue landscape. Discover how that happened, and what it means for our live music ecosystem.
live music
KUT Afternoon Newscast for July 28, 2023
Central Texas top stories for July 28, 2023. Amendment would allow more live music venues away from Downtown Austin area. Proposed Austin budget would consolidate equity offices. Del Valle ISD adding campus officers. ACC chancellor tapped to lead A&M Central Texas. We Luv Video opening tomorrow. I-35 closed in Georgetown next two nights. Austin Public Health trying to keep vaccines free for some. Trail to Q2 Stadium meeting tomorrow.
Insurers are bailing on homes in disaster-prone regions. Is Texas next?
The Texas Senate passed three new bills on border security – but with the House adjourned, does it mean anything?
The Texas Education Agency has taken over the Houston Independent School District, and already some major reforms are taking shape.
Two major insurance companies say they won’t write new homeowner policies in California, citing the costs of climate change. Could something similar happen in Texas?
Pro baseball is a favorite summer sport for many Texans, but a rule change is making it a little less lazy than it once was – for better or for worse? We’ll take a look.
What’s the oldest music venue in Austin?
It seems like a simple question, with a simple answer. But there’s more to it.
This Week(end) in Austin Music
This weekend you can catch shows from SZA, The Heavy Heavy, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Golden Dawn Arkestra and more.
This Week(end) in Austin Music
This weekend you can catch shows from Otis Wilkins, Bidi Bidi Banda, Dale Watson, Urban Heat and more.
This Week(end) in Austin Music
This weekend you can catch shows from Night Drive, Matthew Logan Vasquez, The Sanco Loop, Good Looks and more.
Texas Standard: October 7, 2022
A major turning point for marijuana laws or more political smoke and mirrors? A sweeping pardon for federal marijuana possession convictions announced by president Biden. Though federal and state marijuana laws remain in place, what are the implications in Texas? And what else should Texans be looking for? We’ll explore with a top expert on drug policy at Rice University. Also Facebook’s gone Meta. Twitter may be going to Musk. Who’s the new king of social media and why does it matter? Also the week that was in Texas politics and more today on the Texas Standard:
What Mayor Adler has to say about the Live Music Fund
Hear what Austin Mayor Steve Adler has to say about the history of the Live Music Fund, why he raised concerns about the Live Music Fund Event Program, and what he thinks should guide the conversation moving forward.
What’s Changed for Music Venues?
For the Fans
In this episode its all about the fans! You’ll hear about how they coped when there were no live shows and how they feel now that things are opening back up.
In this episode, you’ll hear from:
Hady Mawajdeh. : Hady produced a great podcast called “Gun Play.” You can listen here.
Joanna Castillo
Jonathan Weldon
Jen Leduc
Lulu Bryant
Check out Andrew Weber’s piece on venues not yet receiving federal relief
Let us know your thoughts! Take the Pause/Play Survey!
Listen to songs from this episode of Pause/Play
Is the Pandemic Over for Austin Music?
We ask the question, “Is the Pandemic Over For Austin Music?” You’ll hear from public health experts, a musician, a fan, a venue owner and a venue manager about what whether or not the CDC’s change in mask guidance for vaccinated individuals coupled with the big reopening in Austin music venues that took place on Memorial Day weekend signals the end of the pandemic for Austin’s music scene.
In this episode you’ll hear from:
Jason R. Pickett, MD, FACEP, FAEMS: Deputy Medical Director for Austin
Matt Lara: Public Information Officer – City of Austin Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
The Teeta: Austin based hip-hop artist
Sabrina Mikan RN, PhD: Music fan
Steve Sternshein: Managing Partner of Heard Presents and Owner of Empire Control Room and Garage
Jeanette Gregor — Venue Manager for Mohawk and Co-founder of The Amplified Sound Coalition.
Let us know your thoughts! Take the Pause/Play Survey!
You can listen to Jason Pickett’s podcast here: https://atcomd.wordpress.com/category/podcasts/
You can follow Sabrina Mikan on @lovefromatx on Instagram.
The Art of LiveStreaming
Mental Health During the Pandemic
Hear from mental healthcare providers and people in the Austin Music Ecosystem about mental health during the pandemic.
You’ll hear from Kalu James from Kalu and the Electric Joint , Vanessa Burden of Los Alcos, Austen Bailey former Talent Buyer for Mohawk, Patty Bouressa from The SIMS Foundation, Brandee Smith MS, LPC, LCDC, Austin Mental Health Care Resources, The Sims Foundation
Austin Texas Mental Health Resources
Other Information:
National Independent Venue Association
Save Our Stages
Music By:
Kalu and The Electric Joint
Los Alcos
Check out Downfall — the latest song from Kalu and the Electric Joint.
The Return of Live Music Part 2
Hear from people across the spectrum of the Austin music scene talk about their live music experiences during the pandemic.
In the first segment you’ll hear Pedro Carvalho and Lawrence Boone from the venue The Far Out Lounge talk about how they’ve managed to stay open and have consistent live music. Then KUT reporter Andrew Weber takes you to a show that’s also a Dumpster Fire. Matt Ott from the Austin non-profit Black Fret brings you perspectives from an indoor show at ACL live. And Miles Bloxson talks to three fans about their risk tolerances and relationships with live music during COVID.
Listen to this episode of Pause/Play
Open Enrollment for the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians is open through December 15th. Find out more here: https://www.myhaam.org/become-a-member
This song was featured in this episode of Pause/Play
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Jackie Venson and Austin City Limits
Follow Austin musician Jackie Venson as she makes her debut on the iconic Austin City Limit’s TV show. You’ll hear how Jackie has been pivoting during the pandemic, and find out how Austin City Limits has been adapting to taping shows without a live audience.
Listen to this episode of Pause/Play
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Show Notes Links:
Follow Jackie Venson on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok
Follow Austin City Limits on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
This Song Episode featuring Jackie Venson
Watch The Jackie Venson’s curated Blues on the Screen
Check out Jackie Venson’s Vintage Machine Album
ACL Live Show on November 20th
Austin City Limit’s Television Show
The Venues
In this episode, you’ll hear from the owners two Austin venues. Brodie Elkins tells the story of Scratchouse which closed due to the pandemic. Then Maggie Lea and Tamara Hoover talk about how they’ve kept their venue, Cheer Up Charlies, afloat and explain what it’s been like to get ready to reopen.
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Follow Cheer Up Charlies: Instagram and Twitter
Resources:
National Independent Venue Alliance
The Musicians
In this episode you’ll hear the pandemic stories of two Austin Musicians — Mobley and Teddythelegacy. You’ll find out how their ability to access financial help has impacted their lives, what creative projects they’ve been working on and hear their perspectives on the uprisings for racial justice.
Listen to this Episode of Pause/Play
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Unemployment Resources:
Velissa Chapa: Texas Workforce Commission Employer
Gwen Seale
Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts
Austin Texas Musicians
Other Austin Grants
The DAWA Fund
Banding Together
Health Resources
The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians aka HAAM
Mental Health Resources
The SIMS Foundation: Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery for Musicians, Music Industry and their Families
Listen to the music featured in Episode Two of Pause/Play
The Pause
What happened to Austin’s live music scene after the shutdown of SXSW?
On March 6th, 2020 the Austin City government canceled SXSW. That decision had an economic ripple effect throughout the city. It also marked the true beginning of the COVID-19 crisis for Austin. In this episode, hosts Miles Bloxson and Elizabeth McQueen explore why Austin calls itself the Live Music Capital of the World. They’ll look at the effect that the cancellation of SXSW and the subsequent shut down of the bars had on Austin through the experiences of some of the musicians, venue owners, venue staff, and music non-profits who make up this live music ecosystem.
Listen on The Apple Podcasts App, Spotify
Back Home To The Armadillo
In August of 1970, a music venue opened on the corner of Barton Springs Road and South First in Austin, Texas. The building was an old National Guard armory—no air conditioning, no seating, just a giant cavernous space that frankly, was not well suited for music. Yet this local eyesore would go on to change the identity of Austin, culturally, politically, and artistically. Its reverberations would be felt far and wide, helping turn Austin into the Live Music Capital of the World. This is the story of how that happened. This is the story of the Armadillo World Headquarters.
Join KUTX as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic music venue. Hear an hour-long oral history featuring staff, musicians, and fans. They trace the Armadillo’s immense impact as a music incubator, community gathering space, and home to hundreds of life-altering concerts: Willie Nelson to Frank Zappa. The Runaways to the Ramones. Freddie King to the Clash. You’ll learn why 50 years later, the Armadillo World Headquarters is still a beacon for Austin’s past, present, and future.