The video above walks through Austin downtown during South by Southwest, capturing what the streets actually look and sound like during the festival. David Bridwell filmed this footage on the last Wednesday of SXSW, starting in the afternoon and continuing into the evening. By that point, some people had already headed home, but there was still plenty happening — live music pouring out of bars, brand activations and pop-ups along the sidewalks, and solid people-watching throughout the area.
What Changed at SXSW This Year
SXSW has been running since 1987 and originally focused just on music. Today it covers film, technology, and comedy as well. This year brought some notable changes. The festival was condensed into a shorter timeframe, with film, tech, and music all overlapping instead of running across two separate weeks. That meant bigger crowds during peak days and longer lines at popular events. On top of that, the old convention center was torn down, so official badge events were spread out more across downtown and beyond. The upside was that more businesses and blocks saw foot traffic instead of everything being concentrated around one hub.
Where Can You Find Live Music in Austin Downtown During SXSW
Walking around Sixth Street and the Red River District, live music was coming from just about every direction. Here are the spots featured in the video:
- Sand Jack Saloon — a Sixth Street bar with live music going during SXSW
- Dizzy Rooster — another Sixth Street spot with bands playing right out onto the street
- Moonlight — located across from other Sixth Street venues, with music audible from outside
- Vulcan Gas Company — a Sixth Street music venue known for hosting a range of live acts
- 13th Floor — a Red River District venue with a packed live music schedule throughout SXSW
- Mohawk — a well-known Red River venue with multiple stages running during the festival
- Antone's — hosted the Austin Bluesfest Day Party, a free event with artists playing throughout the day, including CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band
- Stubb's — located along Red River Street, with a big outdoor stage and a full lineup of artists on this night, including Nikki Diamonds and Charley Crockett
Food and the Lay of the Land
Before diving into the music, a stop at Casino El Camino on Sixth Street was the move. It's a no-frills bar and grill known for massive burgers, a patio, and a jukebox that caters to music nerds. The main areas covered in the video start at Congress Avenue, which runs straight up to the Capitol building and had major sections blocked off for SXSW events. From there, the action spreads east to Sixth Street for nightlife and entertainment, and then up to the Red River District, which is where a lot of the best live music during SXSW tends to concentrate. If you're planning a visit during the festival, those three areas are where you want to spend your time.