Over the hectic nine-day period that is now SXSW, thousands enjoyed what Austin is widely known for: live music. However, becoming the Live Music Capital of the world didn’t happen by accident. It took a considerable amount of hard work by local community.
Austin Music People, or AMP, recently released a white paper on the “State of the Austin Music Industry,” a study available to the public addressing economic challenges the industry faces with the express goal of protecting the local music scene and fostering its growth.
Among the facts unearthed by AMP's research:
- A study published in Spring 2012, funded by the City of Austin, reported that the 2010 economic impact of Austin’s music industry was more than $856 million, creating nearly 8,000 jobs and generating $9.6 million in City tax revenues.
- According to the City of Austin Music Division, Austin is home to 270 live music venues and more than 130 music related nonprofits, of which more than a dozen are focused on music education
- Economic impact of ACL Fest 2011: $106 million
- Economic impact of SXSW 2012: $190 million
- Economic impact of Fun Fun Fun Fest 2012: $27 million
As AMP relies heavily on the Austin community to fund its efforts to maintain the “economic engine of live music,” the organization urges both professionals and music lovers to become a member.
To learn more, visit the study online.
These flags are a popular photo op each year.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It wouldn't be a Friday night at ACL 2026 without a banger Charli XCX reference.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Simpsons are unsurprisingly still relevant after 27 years, and Bart and this popular meme have found a home on college campuses across the nation.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year, these folks put my name underneath their "Aqui Pendejo" flag, but we never saw them. I got an email after the gallery ran with a photo showing the shoutout. This year, I made it a point to find our friends and include them once again. Sorry about last year, pendejos!Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Can't tell if these flag-flyers are both Texas Longhorns and Houston Texans fans, or if this is just a happy accident. Either way, we're on board.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Spiders during spooky season make perfect sense. Spiders at ACL Fest during spooky season? Works for us.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
One of our favorite flags this year was this global-love flyer. A simple yet poignant graphic.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Internet memes were a common theme this year. Did anyone even sell hot dogs at ACL Fest this year?Photo by Daniel Cavazos
This lit-up banana was a beacon for a handful of people during Charli XCX's set on Friday.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Patrick says Saturday's for the Girls!Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Would you know what to look for if someone said, "Meet me at the Gibby?"Photo by Daniel Cavazos
We saw this flag so much around the park that we started to wonder if they were taking their flag too literally.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
This Waffle House spin-off had us scratching our heads. Deep meaning or just a cheeky design?Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Friday's buzz was split between headliners Charli XCX and Skrillex. As expected, Skrillex fans loaded into the Miller Lite field early in the day to secure their spot for the DJ's 8:30 pm set.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
We loved seeing the group of festival-goers who had their pets up on the flags. Why leave them at home when you can have them at the fest in spirit?Photo by Daniel Cavazos