AUSTIN MUSIC
The Live Music Capitol of the World

The Van Buren Boys rockin' out at the Red 7. Photo/thevanburenboys.com

Austin music has an international reputation for an eclectic overabundance of musical styles including country, western swing, gypsy, rock, punk, blues, jazz, folk, classical, Tejano, zydeco, bluegrass, roots, pop and world music.

Austin IS The Live Music Capitol of the World. Not a mere slogan, but documented fact. Nashville, Memphis, LA, Seattle, Chicago, New York, New Orleans, London, Paris and Berlin have fewer music venues per capita than Austin.

Music is everywhere. Live music at the airport, museums, BBQ joints, grocery stores, parks, coffee shops. Not to mention the 200 plus live music venues.

The Austin music scene brings over $600 million a year into the Austin economy. Music is an important part of every Austinites life. Most of us are rabid supporters of the music scene.

Nothing can prepare you for a Friday or Saturday night in Austin. Music follows you everywhere. You can feel the electricity. Sounds seep out of the clubs, coffee shops and hotels. It's an experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere in the world. That's not a Texas size boast, but absolute fact.

The Austin music scene must be experienced first hand to be appreciated.

Austin Clubs & Venues

Live music in Austin is everywhere. Club reviews and info for all six Music Districts are included in Austin Clubs & Venues. Make the most of your Austin nightlife, know where to go.

Austin Angels & Hallowed Ground Remembered

Austin has suffered the loss of many musicians and live music venues. We will not forget the folks who enriched our lives or the clubs they played in. Without either there would be no Austin music. We are eternally thankful they shared their lives with us through their music.

Stevie Ray Vaughan (1990), Townes Van Zandt (1997), Jesse Taylor (2006), Doug Sahm (1999), Keith Ferguson (1997), Don Walser (2006), Clifford Antone (2006), Soap Creek Saloon (1985), Liberty Lunch (1999), The Vulcan Gas Co. (1970), Armadillo World Headquarters (1980), Raul's (early '80s), Austin Opera House (1990).

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Barb's TOP 10 All Time Favorite Austin Bands

Based on acts I've personally seen on several occasions at different venues.

1. Joe Ely Band / Townes Van Zandt (tie)
2. Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble
3. Fabulous Thunderbirds (original lineup)
4. Tailgators
5. LeRoi Brothers
6. Evan Johns & the H-Bombs
7. True Believers
8. Texas Mavericks (Sahm, Crow, Reed, Frosty, Sparks)
9. 3 Balls of Fire (original lineup)
10. Willie Nelson

Barb's TOP 10 Current Favorite Austin Bands

1. Joe Ely
2. Karen Valentine
3. LeRoi Brothers
4. Tailgators (when you can catch 'em)
5. Monte Montgomery
6. Ian McLagan & Bump Band
7. Jimmie Dale Gilmore
8. David Grissom
9. Ruthie Foster
10. Mike Vernon

Austin Music Stores
Vinyl, CDs, Guitars, Instruments

Austin is home to several record and music store worldwide legends. You can shop in the same store Stevie Ray Vaughn did. Go to the Austin Music Stores section for more.

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Austin Chronicle

The absolute bible of the Austin music and arts scene. Offers an updated weekly calender of live music performances.

The Chronicle also lists in-store free concerts. New CD releases. Recommended music events. 'Roadshows' is a calendar for national touring acts. Live music venues and Austin music club listings.

Come to rely on the Austin Chronicle for spot-on accurate reporting of the Austin music scene. It's free, look around town, they distribute everywhere. More about the Austin Chronicle

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Austin City Limits

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS broadcasts to 853 PBS stations nationally. It's the toughest ticket in town.

For 31 years Austin City Limits has shared our local musicians with the rest of the country. Joe Ely, Flatlanders, Willie Nelson, Little Joe, Eric Johnson, Dixie Chicks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, Alejandro Escovedo, Los Lonely Boys and many other fine musicians.

You can tour the ACL studio at 10:30 am. The KRLU station is located on the UT campus. Go to www.PBS.org/KLRU/Austin or pick up your phone and call (512) 471-4811. Ask for Austin City Limits tour information. More about Austin City Limits here.

AUSTIN TRAVEL TIP: The best time to schedule an Austin music vacation is over Christmas and New Year's holidays. All the bands are home and off the road. UT students have gone on Christmas break. Austin is lit up and every Austin live music venue bustles with musicians happy to be playing on a home stage. The Continental Club is very special at Christmas and New Years.

SIXTH STREET CLUBS
Maggie Mae’s :: Momo’s :: The Parish

WAREHOUSE & DOWNTOWN CLUBS
Antone’s :: La Zona Rosa :: Austin Music Hall :: Elephant Room :: Paramount Theatre

RED RIVER CLUBS
Stubb’s Waller Creek Ampitheatre :: Emo’s :: Beerland

UNIVERSITY CLUBS
Cactus Cafe :: Hole In The Wall

SOUTH AUSTIN CLUBS
Continental Club :: Threadgill’s :: Jovita’s :: Broken Spoke :: Saxon Pub :: Evangeline Cafe :: Artz Rib House :: Hill’s Cafe

EAST SIDE CLUBS
Victory Grill

AUSTIN ANGELS & HALLOWED GROUND
Stevie Ray Vaughan :: Townes Van Zandt :: Jesse Taylor :: Doug Sahm :: Keith Ferguson :: Don Walser :: Clifford Antone :: Soap Creek Saloon :: Liberty Lunch :: The Vulcan Gas Co. :: Armadillo World Headquarters :: Raul’s :: Austin Opera House

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Austin City Limits :: Austin Record Stores :: Music Stores :: Austin Chronicle

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