Austin's Black Musicians & Festivals

Austin is the soul of Texas, and the city earns the title of Live Music Capital of the World® by showcasing bands seven nights a week in more than hundreds of live music venues across town. We are also home to world-class festivals where we deliver the best in music, dance and food.

Musician Ray Prim plays an acoustic sunburst guitar on stage at Stubb's in Austin Texas. Two other male musicians stand behind him Ray Prim at Stubb's. Credit Ismael Quintanilla III.

History

Austin has long been known for its live music scene, but what many visitors might not know is the longstanding history of contributions by Austin’s Black music community which laid the roots for Austin to become the Live Music Capital that we know today. Like many great stories, it all started with the blues.

During the period of segregation between East and West Austin, it was the power of music that brought people together and put Austin on the map. The East side became one of the liveliest blues scenes in Texas, and remains so today. Pianist Roosevelt Thomas “Grey Ghost” Williams is credited for pioneering the blues sound of Austin in the 1920s. And touring acts from such greats as Ray Charles and even the King of the Blues himself, B. B. King, all made the trip to play at East Austin juke joints like Charlie’s Playhouse and the still operational Victory Grill whenever they were passing through town.

If you’re interested in taking a deeper dive into the fascinating history of Austin music, visit the Texas Music Museum to see artifacts and tour exhibits that bring the city’s musical legacy to life or check out our guide to Austin's Music History online.

Exterior of historic music venue, Antone's, on Sixth Street in Austin, Texas.
Antone's. Credit Tom Fake.

Venues

Opened in 1945 and originally on the Chitlin’ Circuit, the Victory Grill hosted acts such as B.B. King, Bobby “Blue” Bland, W.C. Clark, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Ike & Tina Turner, Etta James, Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry and Janis Joplin. Today, you can still catch live music at this legendary juke joint.

The original Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, founded in 1968, quickly became a stage for musicians like Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Robert Cray and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. Its musical legacy continues to live on through two stages of live music and a revolving roster of national and local acts. Don’t miss their Sunday Gospel Brunch, with live Gospel music and a world-renowned menu, featuring such items as: southern style grits, migas, fried catfish and their famous barbecue brisket, complete with a bespoke Bloody Mary bar.

Since first opening on Sixth Street in 1975, Antone's Nightclub club has hosted the likes of Buddy Guy, Ray Charles, James Brown, Jackie Venson, Gary Clark Jr. and others. Now the legendary club, co-owned by Gary Clark Jr. himself, has moved to the corner of Fifth and Lavaca Streets, but it remains the home of the blues in Austin with nightly shows from locals and legends.

Named for the legendary jazz trumpeter and East Austinite, Kenny Dorham’s Backyard is DiverseArts’ outdoor music venue, located in the heart of the historic East End cultural district, just down the street from Kenny Dorham’s last home in Austin. Home to regular events, the bulk of the live music programming honors the traditional African American music community - jazz, blues, rhythm and blues and gospel - once anchored along East 11th Street.

Femal guitarist Jackie Venson plays the guitar on stage at Love and Lightstream event in Austin Texas Jackie Venson. Credit David Brendan Hall.

Artists

Many of Austin's legendary live music venues were made famous by legendary Black musicians like Ray Charles and B.B. King. Today, local icons such as WC Clark, Gary Clark, Jr., Jackie Venson, Black Pumas, Lavelle White and Ephraim Owens perform regularly, and visitors can experience the next generation of artists such as Charlie Belle, The Peterson Brothers, Tree G, Chucky Blk, Mélat and Mama Duke.

You can’t have an art scene without the people who make it up. Find even more local Black artists in our Iconic Austin Music Guide here, or check out the Spotify playlist below.

Events

Once a month, The Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex has Grown Folks Step and Roll adult skate and old-school hip-hop dance party. Body Rock ATX holds court once a month at Empire Control Room, and the Sahara Lounge hosts a regular Ladies Night: Funk, Soul, Hip-hop Dance Party. Encore ATX also hosts regular day parties, Afrobeat showcases, poetry slams and a Sunday Soul series.

Here are some other annual events and festivals you'll want to watch for:

Spring & Summer Music Events

19th Fest
Austin's Soul Food Truck Fest has relaunched as 19th Fest to celebrate Juneteenth, to highlight Black-owned businesses outside of just food trucks. 19th Fest gives attendees a taste of delicious soul food, family fun, local music and other vendors from around Austin.
19thfest.com

Austin Blues Festival
Originally Antone's Blues Festival, this music showcase began as a way to feature blues legends who were too big of names to play at the iconic Antone's music venue. More than two decades later and this festival is still turning out stellar performances by talented blues and soul artists.
waterloogreenway.org

Austin Reggae Festival
Founded in 1994, this annual festival features a weekend of live reggae in scenic downtown Austin.
austinreggaefest.com

Austin Urban Music Festival
Austin Urban Music Festival is a family-centric festival for R&B, jazz, funk and reggae music lovers, where national and local entertainment take center stage.
facebook.com/urbanmusicfest

Eastside Kings Festival
Eastside Kings Fest is a celebration for the great living musicians who have given us some of the best years of music. The festival brings together great blues, gospel and jazz acts every year for two amazing evenings.
eastsidekingsfest.com

HONK!TX
Honk!TX Is a weekend event full of street and brass bands from around the country bringing free, family-friendly fun to public spaces around Austin. This a chance to get outdoors and experience the many genres of brass.
honktx.org

Fall & Winter Music Events

Austin Area Jazz Festival
Join the Austin Area Jazz Fest for a celebration of music, culture, diversity and the arts. Enjoy entertainment from top-tier local and national jazz musicians.
austinareajazzfestival.com

Carnaval Brasileiro
Flamboyant costumes, Brazilian samba music and the uninhibited, spirited atmosphere make Austin's Carnaval one of the biggest such festivals outside of Brazil.
sambaparty.co

Find even more events and festivals on our full calendar.