The video above is a real-deal tour of what the Austin SXSW Festival looks like beyond the official wristband events — the day parties, free stages, and showcases that pop up all over town during South by Southwest. David Bridwell hits eight-plus locations across Austin, mostly in the South Austin and East Austin areas, showing how SXSW gets local bands out playing, draws touring artists from around the world, and fills coffee shops, bars, and patios with live music for days on end.
Where Can You Find Free Live Music During SXSW in Austin?
One of the best things about SXSW is that you don't need a badge or wristband to see great music. Dozens of venues across Austin throw free day parties and showcases that are open to the public. In this video alone, you'll see everything from a free stage at Hotel San Jose on South Congress — their annual South by San Jose event — to the Far Out Free Fest at Far Out Lounge with two alternating stages. Hotel Vegas and the Volstead Lounge on East 6th Street are another go-to spot, running music across three separate areas. Artists featured ranged from Texas legend Ray Wylie Hubbard to Sugar Daisy out of Kentucky, Anna Smirk from Australia, and Theo Lawrence, who originated in France and now calls Austin home.
Venues Featured in the Video
- C-Boy's Heart & Soul — South Congress honky tonk and live music staple, hosting the multi-day Soho Stomp event with big outdoor stage performances
- Fredo — Coffee shop on South Congress known for gigantic sandwiches and house wine, hosting Austin Music Love's South by Soho showcase with Just Russ and the Rusty Buckets
- Guero's Taco Bar — South Congress Tex-Mex spot with the Bubble Studios showcase, featuring Midnight Rubies
- Hotel San Jose — Boutique hotel on South Congress putting on a free multi-day stage event
- ABGB (Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.) — South Austin brewpub hosting the Music Export Memphis day party
- Captain Quack's — Coffee shop and bakery with an artist's room, hosting the Hodge Podge showcase with Hey Cowboy
- Radio Coffee & Beer (South) — Original location hosting the Kerrville Folk Festival showcase with Sunny Fairley
- Radio Coffee & Beer (East) — Newer location near the airport with the Howdy Gals and Big Hug Records benefit featuring My Seon from Brooklyn
- Giddy Ups — A real-deal Austin bar further south, hosting Spring Fling Music Fest with Sharita Perez
- Far Out Lounge — Two-stage venue with the Far Out Free Fest, featuring College of Hip Hop Knowledge and Olivia Cachet from Albuquerque
- Sagebrush — South Austin honky tonk with a stacked lineup including Johnny Fritz, The Mellows, and Theo Lawrence
- Hole in the Wall — Longtime dive bar next to the UT campus, running two stages with Rusty Dusty and Cheeky Orange
- Batch Craft Beer & Kolaches — North Austin spot hosting the KOOP Radio day party with Dustin Welch
- Butterfly Bar at The Vortex — East Austin garden venue with their 14th annual garden party, featuring Roland and The Roots Rhythm
- High Noon — East Austin venue hosting the East Austin Block Party, spilling over into Coral Snake across the block
- Low Down Lounge — East 6th Street bar running the Goosefest with Bud and Banged Out on two stages
- Austin Garden and Studio at Incahoots — Small East 6th spot with Lou Apollo performing
- Hotel Vegas / Volstead Lounge — East 6th Street complex with three music areas, featuring The Fox Tales, Bruce, and Booher
What Makes SXSW Different from a Regular Weekend in Austin?
Austin already has live music on any given night, but SXSW turns the