Foos in Town

Foo Fighters explore Austin's musical roots in latest album and HBO series Sonic Highways

Austin makes a special appearance in Sonic Highways.

Photo courtesy of RCA Records

When the Foo Fighters set out to record their eighth album, Sonic Highways, they wanted to do something special. Rather than barricade themselves in a studio, the band hit the road, making stops (and recording songs) in eight American cities with deep musical roots. Being the Live Music Capital of the World, it was only natural that Dave Grohl and company would come to Austin.

The eight tracks of the album, each recorded in a different city, celebrate different aspects of our country's musical history. In an interview with Billboard, Grohl says the Foo Fighters' Austin stop was to explore how our city's musical landscape gave birth to America's first psychedelic band, Thirteenth Floor Elevators.

In addition to Austin, the band recorded in Chicago, Nashville, Los Angeles, Seattle, New Orleans, Washington, DC and New York. "It’s basically the history of American music broken down to the cultural roots of each place," Grohl told Billboard.

During their time spent in Austin, the Foo Fighters and producer Butch Vig hooked up with hometown hero Gary Clark, Jr., who is listed among the guest stars on the new album. The band also paid homage to the 40th season of Austin City Limits with a cover of Roky Erickson's "Two-Headed Dog," which they performed on stage in the show's original KLRU studio.

Austin will also be the subject of one episode of the band's HBO eight episode documentary series likewise called Sonic Highways. A teaser for the trailer reveals Willie Nelson among the interview subjects along with Dolly Parton, LL Cool J, Macklemore, Bonnie Raitt and even President Barack Obama. Adding an interesting dimension to the series, Grohl interviewed many of the subjects himself, including the president.

Sonic Highways, (the series) premieres on HBO on October 17. The album is set to drop on November 10.

New Year, Same City

Ring in 2025 at these 13 Austin-area events

Fireworks over Austin.

Photo from austintexas.org.

The City of Austin's annual New Year's Eve fireworks display and party at Auditorium Shores.

Somehow it's already almost 2025. The question on everyone's lips seems to be, "What are you doing for New Year's?" Many Austinites who can't fathom this holiday until the stress and excitement of Christmas are over still have December 31 plans up in the air.

Don't worry; we've gathered a variety of New Year's Eve options ripe for the picking, including dinners, parties, and even some more peaceful, family-friendly events.

Dinners

North Italia Three-Course Dinner
11506 Century Oaks Terrace, Suite 124; or 500 W 2nd St. #120
On New Year's Eve, North Italia is offering a three-course prix fixe dinner, including a starter, a main, and a dessert of the guest's choosing. Some highlights of this menu include burrata di stagione with red wine poached pear, Sicilian pistachio crumble, and grilled ciabatta; braised short rib marsala; and the new Holiday Panettone Butter Cake. Reservations are required and can be made at northitalia.com.

BOA Steakhouse Dinner Party
300 West 6th St.
BOA Steakhouse is closing out 2024 with a DJ playing this year's hits, party favors, and two dinner seatings. Guests can dine between 5 and 6:30 pm ($150 per person), or from 7 pm until close ($195 per person). Both options include a prix fixe four-course menu featuring multiple options per course. Some standouts include grilled lamb lollipops with Moroccan couscous; butternut squash risotto with cranberries, pecans, and aged parmesan cheese; and a lemon tart with Swiss meringue. Guests who dine later in the evening will receive a complimentary midnight champagne toast. Reservations are required.

Grilled lamb lollipops with Moroccan couscous from BOA Steakhouse.Photo courtesy of BOA Steakhouse

Sushi Roku
405 Colorado St., Ste. 100
Sushi Roku will be offering its usual à la carte menu as well as an Izakaya Feast ($150 per person), including 10 items like Brussels sprout chips with truffle oil and sea salt; crispy rice with tuna hanabi; A-5 Japanese Wagyu ishiyaki; and a cheesecake and ice cream domed with cotton candy for dessert. Optionally, guests can order the seafood tower, featuring five different types of seafood for $125 per person. Reservations are available from 5-10 pm.

Grand Buffet and Glow Party at Kalahari Resort

3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock
This year, Kalahari Resort is ringing in the new year with a buffet and "glow party." The buffet will feature classic holiday dishes, plus a variety of desserts and drinks for $95 per adult, $40 per child from ages 3-10, and free for kids under 3. After dinner, from 8 pm to 1 am, a DJ dance party will take over, complete with glow sticks, complimentary hats and horns, and a midnight countdown and balloon drop. The glow party is free for resort and dinner guests.

Parties

Charley Crockett & Balloon Drop at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd.
Starting at 9 pm on December 31, ACL Live at the Moody Theater will host a special New Year's Eve celebration with live music from Charley Crockett, complete with a midnight countdown, champagne toast, and balloon drop. Charley Crockett's music is a mix of country, blues, soul, Cajun, and R&B, and he's been hailed as a "must-see live performer" by Rolling Stone. Tickets range from $79-149 are available at acllive.com.

"What Happens in Vegas" Party at Eberly
615 South Lamar Blvd.
This New Year’s Eve from 9 pm to 2 am, Eberly is pulling out all the stops to bring the glitz, glamour, and excitement of Sin City to Austin with the “What Happens in Vegas” New Year's Eve Party. Guests are encouraged to channel their inner Vegas by dressing the part (think wedding dresses or flashy suits). This party will have a little something for everyone: casino tables, a dance floor with DJ Gatsby, a "Chapel of Love" on the rooftop presided over by Elvis, of course; and at midnight, a champagne toast to ring in the new year. Tickets are $105 per person.

Gatsby New Year's Eve Party at Brazos Hall
204 E.4th St.
Guests can step into the allure of the Roaring Twenties at this Gatsby-inspired party by One Tap Photo. The evening will include a live band, a DJ and dance floor, casino games, door prizes, and a midnight champagne toast. The best-dressed flapper or dapper gent will even take home a prize for the evening's most striking ensemble. Tickets range from $125-300.

New Year's Eve with Pat Green at Gruene Hall
1281 Gruene Rd., New Braunfels
Ring in the New Year with Pat Green and special guest Walt Wilkins at the historic Gruene Hall in New Braunfels. There are two shows: one at 5 pm and one at 9 pm. The later show will include a midnight countdown and complementary champagne toast. Tickets are $95 for either show and can be purchased at guenehall.com.

The historic Gruene Hall exterior Pat Green plays two shows at the historic Gruene Hall for New Year's. gruenehall.com

New Year's Eve Pub Crawl
Starts at Little Woodrow's, 520 W. 6th St.
If staying in one place all night doesn't sound ideal, Nasstive Entertainment has a solution: a pub crawl. Participants will meet at Little Woodrow's from 8-10 pm and venture out to more than 10 other venues throughout the night. Tickets start at $30 and include free entry to all venues, drink discount coupons, and free welcome shots at various venues.

JW Marriott Austin's New Year's Eve Soiree
110 E. 2nd St.
From 8 pm until 1 am, the JW Marriott will be filled with "dancing, laughter, and good vibes," according to the event page for this fancy hotel bash. The party will take place in the lobby bar and rooftop and will include music, cocktails, champagne, caviar, and a more upscale, cocktail vibe. Tickets are $125 and up. Organizers remind attendees that the JW Marriott's view of the fireworks is obstructed.

Chill Vibes

New Year's Eve Hike and Strings in the Woods
1601 Spyglass Dr.
Austinites looking for a peaceful way to ring in 2025 on New Year's Eve Day can join "Strings in the Woods," a private hike with live music by award-winning violinist and film composer Will Taylor. Taylor will guide the group on an hour-long hike while playing his violin. He'll also throw in a dash of meditation, history, geology, and plant identification for an afternoon that sounds incredibly peaceful. Guests are advised to wear hiking shoes and bring a towel and yoga mat. The hike is free and goes from 3:30-4:30 pm.

New Year’s Eve Meditation Service
1820 Garden St.
From 11:30 pm to 12:15 Aam, the Austin Meditation Group will be holding a special, late-night New Year's Eve meditation service. This donation-based event is open to the public and could be a great way to mindfully enter a new year.

Austin's New Year at Auditorium Shores
900 West Riverside Drive
Austin has been celebrating New Year's Eve at Auditorium Shores since 2010 with live music by 90s heroes Third Eye Blind, good food, and of course, the city's big fireworks display over the lake. This is a great option for families or folks looking for a free and casual event. The celebration will start at 7 pm and last until just after the big countdown and 2025 fireworks display at midnight. There are no tickets to this event; just show up! (And probably take a ride share, because parking will be crazy.)

parties live music dinner concerts holidays new year's eve

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