Light It Up
Austin's newest amphitheater lights up for special drive-by sneak peek
Though Creek Show, the community-wide festival of light-based art installations along Waller Creek, won't be happening like normal this year, Austinites still have something new and exciting to look forward to.
From November 16-22, you can drive by the new Waterloo Park and get a preview of Moody Amphitheater, the 5,000-person concert and event venue that's been under construction for the past few months.
In honor of Creek Show, the new structure will be illuminated for the socially distanced sneak peek.
"This time of year is usually incredibly exciting for all of us at Waterloo Greenway; it's a time when our local artists, landscape architects, and designers dazzle the community with their prodigious talent and radiant work.," says Peter Mullan, CEO of Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, in a release. "Though we wish we could partake in Creek Show live, there's still so much to celebrate at Waterloo Park."
"This will be the first time for many in the community to get a glimpse of what's to come; to see Moody Amphitheater lit up at night is a true display of what Waterloo is all about: a wonderfully immersive and inclusive urban space that is rooted in and surrounded by nature."
Designed by architects Thomas Phifer and Partners, the amphitheater is seamlessly integrated into its lush natural park environment, which was designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates and local landscape architects .dwg.
The amphitheater’s necessary infrastructure is largely buried underground in order to minimize the impact on the park from special events, and to enhance the overall park experience.
"We want the Moody Amphitheater to be a moment of celebration in the heart of this amazing city," says Thomas Phifer in the same release. "The city of Austin and its lively culture is a tale of two distinct worlds woven together — an active urban core paired with peaceful respites grounded in nature — all with plentiful trails and waters. When you visit the Moody Amphitheater, you experience the best of both worlds."
While this year's Creek Show will not take place in its traditional in-person format, Waterloo Greenway will feature virtual conversations with past Creek Show artists, giveaways, and a look back at past Creek Show years throughout the month of November.
Since 2014, the organization has commissioned dozens of local artists to create site-specific, experiential art installations to raise awareness about the ongoing transformation of Waller Creek and the new 35-acre urban park system coming to downtown Austin. Last year was the biggest and brightest Creek Show yet, with seven original art installations and 60,000 visitors.
There are plans for Creek Show to return next year in its brand-new park, surrounded by 11 acres of greenspace, 1.5 miles of hike-and-bike trails, and revitalized Waller Creek ecology.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri