I have the good fortune of living in the self proclaimed Live Music Capital of the World®. It’s not bluster or a slick marketing slogan; if it isn’t the truth, it’s pretty darn close. Just about anywhere you go on any given evening in Austin, Texas you can find an artist or a band performing. I’m not talking about a bunch of young pups learning their chops at the expense of your hearing and love of music. The performers are young, old and all ages in-between and play about every style of music known to humans. Often times, their talent is off the charts.
Two signature events that bolster the city’s claim to fame are South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits Festival (ACL Fest). For ten days in March, the best minds and talent in the world come to Austin for SXSW to celebrate film, interactive media and music. According to the SXSW 2012 website: “At SXSW 2011, over 16,000 music industry professionals attended compelling panels, industry discussions, demo listening sessions, trade show exhibits, and our first year of an expanded six nights of music by just over 2,000 acts representing 57 different countries, performing at over 90 venues in downtown Austin, Texas.” Immense aptly describes the scale of this event. You owe yourself this experience once in your life.
Six months later, the Austin City Limits Festival brings musicians from all over the world for another music extravaganza. From the event website: The Austin City Limits Music Festival is an eight stage, three-day music festival that takes place in Zilker Park, Austin, Texas. The festival not only features “130-plus artists from across the globe, but amazing local eats and wares, fun for the kiddos, green goings-on, and other cool activities to entertain you for three magical days.” It’s a wow weekend that also needs to go into your bucket list.
If you enjoy music (and who doesn’t), come to Austin next March for SXSW 2012 or in the fall for ACL Fest. If you prefer a less frenetic scene, then just pick a weekend and come on down. Whatever your taste in music, you’ll find it here. You’ll also find phenomenal restaurants, hotels, shopping, museums and recreation to round out your trip. Check it out:
Austin is a wonderful place to visit. The music you take in while here will become the soundtrack of your memories. I think you’ll agree as you leave that the city of Austin truly is the Live Music Capital of the World.
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