SXSW Music

Austin, Texas is home to one of the largest music, film and interactive music and film festivals in the nation. It takes place every Spring, this year it will be held in March from the 7th thru the 18th. The film part is March 7th thru the 15th and the music part is March 12th thru the 18th. The festival began as the Austin Battle of the Bands but South by Southwest (SXSW) took over and officially started in 1987. When it first got the show on the road, so to speak, much of it started in the Austin Convention Center but because of overwhelming response and participation, it quickly spread to other musical and theatrical venues. As a rule, there are more than 1,000 perfomers playing and showing all over Austin during March. It is one of the highest money making public events for Austin's economy and the reason why Austin is dubbed "the Live Music Capital of the World."

Last year, there were performances by The Stooges, Donovan, Amy Winehouse, Maritime, The Wombats, Codwar Kids, Gallows, Razorlight, Fly, The Early Years, Boby Lounge, The Briefs, The Sword, The Horrors and many more. This important and prestigious music festival draws the likes of David Byrne of the Talking Heads and Pete Townsend of The Who. These infamous acts were key conference speakers last year. During the daytime, festival goers do business at the Trade shows and participate in panel discussions with hundreds of experienced and provocative speakers from all over the world. At night, well, Austin explodes with talented musicians, writers, entertainers and films. Why this is so important to Austin....

The revenues generated by the participants, musicians, industry leaders, observers and everyone associated with this magnamous adventure drop alot of money during their stay here. The hotels, restaurants, retail stores, bars, gas and probably everyone else benefit from the onslaught of people visiting. Not to mention, once you come to Austin, you want to stay. Many celebraties come for the music and stay - Sandra Bullock has even opened up a Bistro named "Bess" so that she can enjoy the Austin way. Many more come and purchase Lake homes, urban condos and housing so that they can live and play here. Downtown alone has spawned over 20 new condo projects ranging in price from the low $200's to well over $2,000,000. The downtown area, in addition to the festivals, is striving to develop a more friendly atmosphere that has something for everyone.

Here are a few things in downtown Austin you need to experience while you are at SXSW or anytime.

The UT campus and tower
Zilker Park and the Barton Springs Pool
Anything showing at the Paramount Theatre
The Capital - say hello to the Gov and the Mansion (1010 Colorado St.)
Ester's Follies
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
The Velvetta Room - comedy club
LBJ Library and Museum
Town Lake (now Lady Bird Johnson Lake)
The Bats under Congress Bridge (watch at the Four Seasons hotel)
Umlauf Scupture Garden and Museum
Take the Austin Ghost Tour (Saturdays and Sundays)
Peter Pan Mini Golf (Barton Springs) then dine at Sandy's down the street (both an Austin tradition)
The Warehouse district or 6th Street

Texas music is fun and affordable for the whole family. The atmosphere of Austin and Central Texas is the reason so many people are buying homes here.