Thank Goodness for Garth
Garth Brooks announces surprise SXSW show — and it's free
When someone like Garth Brooks schedules a press conference at SXSW, you know the news is going to be good. Rumors immediately began swirling about a potential concert — and now the rumors have been confirmed.
In a welcome announcement on Friday, Brooks revealed that he will be headlining the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake on Saturday, March 18. The best part? It's free.
SXSW attendees, including those with badges and wristbands, will be given priority access to the event. For non-registrants, complimentary tickets to the concert will be released online at noon on Friday, March 17, on a first come, first served basis.
These passes will be available to residents of Austin and the surrounding areas only; residency is determined by your credit card billing address' ZIP code. (You can review accepted ZIP codes here.) Each order is limited to two tickets.
The complimentary pass does not grant you re-entry to Auditorium Shores, so be prepared to arrive early and buckle down — gates open at 11 am. Good thing the rest of the lineup is stacked. Sunny Sweeney, Nicole Atkins, Holly Macve, Shannon McNally, Cale Tyson, and Colter Wall will all perform before Brooks takes the stage at 8 pm.
Even before the concert was announced, Brooks was a buzzworthy last-minute addition to the SXSW Music lineup. The country star is scheduled for a keynote conversation at 2 pm on Friday, March 17, at the Austin Convention Center with Steve Boom, vice president of Amazon Music. The online streaming service is partially to thank for Brooks' free performance.
Can't make it to the concert on Saturday? Check out the bill for Friday's show at Auditorium Shores, as well as more free SXSW events, right here.
