Worldwide Beat
New 'For Austin, by Austin' DIY music festival to launch this summer
A new "for Austin, by Austin" music festival is hoping to make a lasting impression this summer. On June 21, the first ever Solstice Austin festival will take over the city, with bands playing at a host of venues across town.
What sets this event apart from all the other festivals that call Austin home? Its self-proclaimed "do-it-yourself" motto.
According to the festival's website, anyone can be a Solstice Austin artist, and any space — from an established bar to a random rooftop — can become a venue. Interested artists and venues are asked to register online, where they will be matched with other like-minded participants. So far, 105 artists and 41 venues are on board for the day-long event.
The genre-less festival will feature sets by up-and-coming bands as well as established acts like Taylor Baker, Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers and Hello Caller. And the venues are just as varied. You can catch shows at the new TOMS store on South Congress; head over to East Austin's historic Victory Grill; or hop from haunt to haunt on Rainey Street, where Clive Bar, Container Bar, Banger's and The Blackheart (among others) are participating.
While Solstice Austin's focus is hyperlocal, it's part of a much larger initiative. On June 21, 800 cities across the globe will host similar events as part of the "worldwide celebration of music," ensuring that the longest day of the year is one filled with accessible music.
Solstice Austin is organized by the folks that produce the biannual Pecan Street Festival and Austin tech startup Solstice, which runs the programming platform for the worldwide celebration. Check out the festival lineup or sign up to participate on the Solstice Austin website.
