A free South by Southwest concert series begins Thursday evening.
No festival wristband or badge is required to get in and up close to the stage at Auditorium Shores. The festival has hosted free concerts during past years on the lawn at Lady Bird Lake. It’s become so popular over the years, some locals claim it as their first festival stop.
“It’s awesome down there. I mean Lady Bird Lake is always my favorite place to go; Auditorium Shores. So that’s probably the first place I’m going to hit up,” said Devin Wade.
The music series is open to everyone. The performers who take the stage come from all different genres. There are family-friendly musicians, some directed toward children, others for adults. They'll take turns on the stage beginning Thursday night through Saturday evening.
“My wife and I just love to walk around in the middle of all the activity. I think it’s a great festival,” said one Austin man, “This festival is just such a good fit for this town with all of the musicians and musical history of this town.”
The free concert series is a reflection of the festival as a whole.
Musicians from all over the World coming to share sounds, get exposure and hear the competition.
“It's very nice to be here. Just to be here and play at this big festival. It's one of the most famous festivals in the world,” said musician Lars Kvistum of Eva and the Heartmaker from Norway.
Many of the musicians taking part in the free concert series at Auditorium Shores are up and coming performers. Several are long-time favorites including Cheap Trick. The band takes to the stage Friday night.
Gates for the free concert series open at 5:00pm Thursday and Friday. On Saturday gates open 11:00am for a full day of sounds.
Outside food or drinks are prohibited but there will be a lot available inside the concert grounds. KVUE is a sponsor for the concert series.
