Live Music

ACL Music Festival, which kicks off Friday, attracts musicians from all over — including many from the Live Music Capital of the World.

Executive Director Cody Cowan announced this week he's leaving to become chief operating officer for the National Independent Venue Association, a lobbying and trade group.

A developer that owns multiple properties on East Sixth Street wants to revitalize the area and turn a handful of spots into music venues, including the former Easy Tiger restaurant and Buffalo Billiards.

The Economic Development Department said it wanted to stay up to date with the cost of living in Austin. Musicians performing at Spaceflight Records' SXSW showcase will be paid a base rate of $200 per hour.

The city created a Live Music Fund in 2019. It's grown to $3 million, but no money has been given out yet.

Pay averaged about $100 per musician per gig four decades ago. It's still about $100 per musician per gig.

Many Austin musicians have jobs outside the industry to supplement their music incomes, but some, like longtime musician and Austinite Terrany “Tee Double” Johnson, have found ways to make money doing what they love.

The developer is asking City Council to approve a zoning change to allow the site of the former Austin Opera House to be turned into a music venue with retail space and apartments.

The suit seeks up to $2 billion from a long list of defendants, including Travis Scott, Live Nation, and the Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation.

Jones says it's a struggle to be a Black female musician in Austin. And, she says, you have to do it all yourself: “It’s just all these hats you have to wear, and it just breaks your neck, you know? The weight of all these hats.”