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Music & Entertainment

SXSW shrinks as indie venues contemplate competitiveness

Last week, advocates and leaders in the independent music venue community gathered during South by Southwest to discuss how those thin-margined businesses can improve their chances to stay in business. A few days later, news came out that the festival…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Mar 17, 2025

Bills covering DEI, handguns draw concern from Music Commission

A proposed state bill that would allow licensed handguns into events held on government property was met with concern by members of the Music Commission on Monday. House Bill 1715, which has been proposed for this year’s legislative session, was…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 5, 2025

City looks to expand budget, recipients for Live Music Fund

The city appears set to increase the number of awards in its Live Music Fund grant program, with specific considerations given to the needs of veteran and emerging artists looking to promote events or create work that could enhance the…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Dec 9, 2024

Red River music proponents see city funding as sign of support, progress

Businesses and supporters in the Red River Cultural District see the city’s recent commitment of annual funding as a milestone to provide stability for the area’s cluster of live music venues, with the hope that more policy changes are coming…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 19, 2024

Music Commission to explore opening parks spaces for community, cultural events

The Music Commission has signaled it intends to ask the city to waive fees and streamline the administrative processes involved in allowing small community groups to hold arts and music events in local parks facilities. Last week’s meeting included discussion…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 14, 2024

Working group to study feedback, surveys for city's $4.5M Live Music Fund

The Music Commission has formed a working group to evaluate the execution of the second year of the Live Music Fund, which recently awarded $4.5 million to just over 100 musicians, promoters and music venues throughout the area. The group…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 12, 2024

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Austin Opera's new HQ welcomes smaller arts orgs to the stage

Austin Opera leaders aim to turn the organization’s new headquarters and performance space into a bustling hub for arts groups increasingly pressured for space in Austin. Last week the group, which holds its major performances at the Long Center for…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Oct 15, 2024

UT looks to promote music throughout campus with Longhorn Live initiative

The University of Texas has announced a number of new projects focused on increasing the profile and impact of music on the school’s campus and further into Austin. The Longhorn Live music initiative looks to highlight existing musicians and programs…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 26, 2024

Panelists see progress, problems in Austin’s management of nightlife economy

Entertainment industry leaders see promise in Austin’s recent land use and policy changes that could positively impact the area’s nightlife economy, though they plan to push for further changes to streamline planning and approvals for those businesses. An online panel…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 20, 2024

Music Commission wants STR taxes to increase Live Music Fund awards

The Music Commission wants to increase funding for the Live Music Fund from its current $4.5 million total, and could push for hotel taxes from short-term rental sites as a funding source. At last week’s meeting, the commission received an…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Aug 15, 2024

Council OKs bond money to preserve Museum of Human Achievement arts space

City Council has allocated $5.1 million of bond money to the Rally Austin economic development entity, which is expected to use some of the money to purchase and preserve the Museum of Human Achievement (MoHA) arts space in East Austin.…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 25, 2024

Music Commission considers space, funding options for Texas Music Museum

The Music Commission plans to ask the city to provide emergency storage space and funding for the Texas Music Museum, which is facing overcrowding at its East Austin location and the possible loss of gratis storage space in an Austin…

Music & Entertainment • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 5, 2024

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