Where to Experience Live Music: A Nightly Guide
Looking for real must-hit Austin live music for your attendees to enjoy in their off-time? We have you covered with these long-standing downtown acts and classic venues.
The following local acts are sure to impress and entertain:
Austin doesn’t mess around when it comes to brunch. On Sundays, the Urban Achievers Brass Band plays at Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden (pictured above). The brunch show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and guests choose from more than 100 craft brews on tap to sip in the tree-shaded beer garden. Tip: Try their storied Man-mosa.
Sunday gospel brunch at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q is a borderline religious experience. Indulge in Stubb’s famous brisket sided with Southern-style grits, migas, fried catfish and a build-it-yourself adult beverage from their legendary Bloody Mary bar.
Conjunto Los Pinkys perform at The White Horse, beginning at 5 p.m. on Sundays. The East Austin honkey-tonk serves up live music seven nights a week.
The Resentments play Saxon Pub every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. From Dylan covers to their own eclectic acoustic riffs, the five-man band delivers an entertaining evening.
Austin music-lovers know to head upstairs to The Continental Club Gallery (pictured above) for more intimate sessions. Get there at 8:30 p.m. for Church on Monday with Elias Haslanger and Dr. James Polk, voted Best Jazz Band and Best Ongoing Residency.
Catch Stanley Smith with Lauren Gurgiolo and soak up their bluesy cool vibe Tuesday nights at the Elephant Room, a cozy basement jazz nook. Music starts around 9:30 p.m.
Ultimate ‘80s band, The Spazmatics pump crowds up at Cedar Street Courtyard on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Geeky charm and bottomless energy are the signature moves behind this beloved Austin group.
Happy hour on Thursdays and Fridays means quality time with soulful 72-year-old resident pianist Margaret Wright at dive-bar-meets-venue Skylark Lounge.
An Austin fixture since the ‘70s, Alvin Crow performs at 9 p.m. on Thursdays at Little Longhorn Saloon, a country hole-in-the-wall known for great music and never charging a cover.
The annual music series Local & Live features music every other Saturday at the Visitor Center (602 E. Fourth St.) from a selection of Austin's greatest acts. These intimate performances are free and open to the public.
Need Music for Your Event?
The Live Music Capital of the World®, with more than 250 venues and 1,900 musical acts, offers a sound and a location to match your needs. The Austin Music Office is here to make sure all visitors experience the music scene by marketing local music to travelers and working with groups to book local bands.
Our pros work closely with groups looking to hire Austin bands of every genre that fit every budget.
Austin Music Office experts are ready to assist:
Omar Lozano, 512-583-7233; olozano@austintexas.org
Let us help you find the band that sets the tone for a successful event. To get started, just fill out this form and we'll contact you right away.