Live Music in Austin

Live music has become so ingrained in the local culture and economy of Austin, Texas that the City Council in 1991 adopted the phrase Live Music Capital of the World for its official slogan. The nickname is far from being just for show though. Drop by 6th Street at night and you'll see solid proof of the vibrant music scene in Austin.

This historic street is considered as the prime entertainment district of the city, with bars, clubs, and an eclectic assortment of music venues lined up from end to end. This famous Austin street can get so crowded that traffic is often blocked on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. On special holidays like New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, and Halloween, throngs of crowds occupy every inch of the street.

Austin is also the setting of one of the biggest music festivals in the country, South by Southwest. This four-day event usually held in March features more than a thousand musicians giving performances in various music venues in the city. South by Southwest is the biggest income-generating public event in Austin. Aside from the music event, it also features film and interactive media festivals which are held independently and on different dates.