Austin didn't earn its 'Live Music Capital of the World' title by accident. On any given night, over 250 live music venues across the city host performances spanning every genre—from country honky-tonks to indie rock clubs, jazz lounges to hip-hop showcases, blues bars to electronic dance venues. For music lovers, living in Austin means your favorite artist will come to you, your local bar has live music, and discovering your next favorite band is as easy as walking down the street.
Why Austin?
Live Music Every Night
250+ venues mean there's always something playing in every genre, every night of the week.
World-Class Festivals
SXSW, ACL, and dozens of festivals bring global talent to your city.
Discover New Artists
Austin is where artists are born—catch the next big thing at a small venue for $10.
Music Community
Join a city that doesn't just consume music but creates, supports, and celebrates it.
Venue Landscape
Austin's music venues range from intimate to massive. ACL Live at the Moody Theater hosts major acts. Stubb's and Emo's anchor the Red River scene. The Continental Club is a South Congress institution. The White Horse keeps honky-tonk alive. Antone's is a blues legend. The Paramount and State theaters offer elegant performances. And thousands of bars and restaurants feature live music nightly.
- 250+ live music venues
- ACL Live for major acts
- Red River for indie/rock
- Continental Club for legendary shows
Festivals and Events
SXSW and ACL Festival are the headliners, but Austin's festival calendar runs year-round. Old Settler's for Americana, Levitation for psych rock, Hot Luck for food-and-music convergence, and dozens of smaller festivals fill the calendar. Free concerts in parks, venue anniversary shows, and secret pop-up performances keep the scene exciting and accessible.
- SXSW in March
- ACL Fest in October
- Free concerts year-round
- Genre-specific festivals
Music Neighborhoods
South Congress and South Lamar are anchored by the Continental Club and iconic venues. East 6th Street has evolved into a craft cocktail and music corridor. Red River Street is Austin's indie rock epicenter. Rainey Street offers music in a more upscale setting. And neighborhood bars across the city feature talent that would headline in other cities.
- South Congress for legends
- Red River for indie/rock
- East 6th for discovery
- Every neighborhood has live music
“I've seen more incredible live shows in two years here than in a decade in my old city. Last month I saw a Grammy winner at a 200-person venue. That's Austin.”