Farewell, 2020!
City of Austin rings in 2021 with all-star virtual New Year's Eve party
Support the local music scene and bid farewell to 2020 — all safely from the comfort of your couch — via the City of Austin’s official New Year’s Eve celebration.
The special virtual spin of Austin's New Year will stream on December 31, featuring performances filmed in iconic venues, including the Saxon Pub, the Continental Club, Cheer Up Charlies, Antone’s, and the Mohawk.
Eight locals make up the bill for the free-to-view celebration. At the top, there’s Shakey Graves, one of Austin’s best singer/songwriters, along with Parker McCollum and Gina Chavez. The former has a new EP, Hollywood Gold, that’s placed as high as No. 10 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and the latter’s latest release, La Que Manda, earned a Best Pop/Rock Album nomination at the 2020 Latin Grammy Awards.
The diverse lineup is rounded out by five up-and-comers: country artist Rob Baird, indie cumbia pop act Como Las Movies, rockers Swimming with Bears, hip hop-leaning Jake Lloyd, and contemporary folk artist BettySoo.
Admittedly, we could all use a night of local music to bid farewell to 2020 and usher in 2021, but entertainment is not the sole focus of this NYE event. The city is also looking to support Austin’s local live music and venue culture following a devastating year due to the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has been devastating to our special events and entertainment industry. In 2020, the virtual Austin’s New Year event is able to benefit some of our local musicians and venues,” said City Manager Spencer Cronk. “We pride ourselves in being The Live Music Capital of the World, and this event will allow us to experience a little piece of Austin while celebrating safely from home.”
Austin's New Year will be available to watch on the City of Austin's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages, as well as Spectrum channel 6, Grande Communications channel 6, and U-Verse channel 99. An exact schedule of performances will be released on December 28.
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
A portal opens...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