F1 Switcheroo

Usher races into Austin for huge F1 concert after unexpected cancellation

Usher and The Roots will perform at COTA on Sunday, October 23.

Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com

Formula 1 weekend has a new hook for music fans. On Wednesday, Circuit of The Americas announced that Usher will headline the 2016 United States Grand Prix, replacing The Weeknd. Taylor Swift is still slated to perform.

On Sunday, October 23, R&B icon Usher will be joined onstage by The Roots, the soul group that serves as the house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Usher comes to Austin hot off his latest record, Hard II Love, which dropped last month.

The Weeknd canceled his appearance due to time constraints regarding his new album, which is slated to be released in November. "It is with sincere regret that I am not able to perform," he said in a release. "Playing a show for F1 is an incredible opportunity, and I am absolutely certain that Taylor Swift and Usher and The Roots will provide all F1 fans with two unforgettable concerts."

Swift performs on Saturday, October 22. The hot headliners will be joined by numerous artists playing at COTA throughout the weekend, including Money Chicha, Nakia & The Blues Grifters, Bobby Patterson, and more.

The music doesn't end at the track. COTA also recently announced the lineup for Fan Fest, two days of free performances in downtown Austin. Catch acts like Flying Balalaika Brothers, Riders Against the Storm, Boss Street band, and more on Sixth Street on Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22.

The 2016 U.S. Grand Prix returns to Circuit of The Americas next weekend. Three-day passes, starting at $165, include attendance to both concerts; Sunday-only tickets are on sale for $99.

sports concerts music

Reexamining Don Draper

Jon Hamm, Henry Winkler, and more headed to Austin for TV festival

Getty Images

Jon Hamm is coming to Austin to talk about Don Draper.

From May 29 to June 1, 2025, the ATX TV Festival will take over downtown Austin, and this year Jon Hamm will be joining the festival for the first time.

Hamm will be here for an event called A Mad Men Retrospective, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the show's finale. In this panel (the moderator of which is not yet announced), Hamm will reflect on his Emmy-winning performance as Mad Men's Don Draper, the uniqueness of the character in the TV canon, and the show's influence 10 years after it ended.

Jon Hamm may be best known as Draper, but he's also given celebrated performances in several movies and other shows like Fargo, Black Mirror, and — fun fact! — Gilmore Girls.

Celebrating TV is what the ATX TV Festival is all about. This annual summer event is put on by ATX TV and consists of screenings, Q&As, and panel conversations; plus all sorts of parties, live music, happy hours, and other events. It's known for reunions of classic series and cult hits, and according to the website, it's like "TV camp for grownups."

Jon Hamm isn't the only heavy-hitter in this year's lineup.

Programming also includes an acting class and Q&A with Henry Winkler himself, a live script reading of classic episodes from The Golden Girls and Designing Women (guest actors to be announced), a reunion of the creatives and cast of the HBO hit series The Leftovers, a live recording of the podcast Sidebar: A Suits Watch Podcast with Suits stars and co-hosts Sarah Rafferty and Patrick J. Adams, and much more.

Additionally, the festival's annual Pitch Competition is still accepting open pitch submissions through January 17. This gives creatives in Austin a chance to pitch their show idea in front of some of the industry's biggest showrunners and executives. Those in the top 10 will receive a year of support to make the next steps in their TV careers.

Festival badges and passes ($150-535) are on sale now.

celebrities tv festivals