While various outdoor events around town such as Austin’s New Years Eve celebration at Butler Park have been canceled due to impending freezing temperatures and rain, there is no need to let inclement weather put a damper on your NYE. Warm up your bones by dancing the night away to some great local bands at these affordable shows. After all, there is no more appropriate way to celebrate the inception of 2015 in Austin than with some live music.
CHEER UP CHARLIE’S
Cheer Up Charlie’s. Photo courtesy of ovrld.com
With 7 bands and a local DJ for $5 in advance or $7 at the door, no matter when you choose to pay you’ll get to enjoy these musical acts for less that a buck each. Huddle under the parachute canopy at the outdoor stage featuring an epic rock wall afire with color, or sip on a fresh juice cocktail at the cabin-like indoor stage. Whether you’re into electro-pop (Sphynx), garage rock (Grape St.), or indie rock (A. Sinclair), NYE at CUC is likely to offer something that meets your musical fancy.
GROUND ZERO AT BEERLAND
Crooked Bangs performing at Beerland. Photo courtesy of slugmag.com
Nothing will keep you warmer this New Year’s Eve than pounding a Lonestar a raging to some rock n roll at your favorite local dive. Austin post-punk band The Dead Space kicks off the night with gothic sonic tension. Crooked Bangs, another local act, follows with French-infused punk. The first set of 2015 hits hard with a large dose of high-energy rock n roll from Jackson, MS natives, The Overnight Lows. This show is probably $5 – I’ve never been to a show at Beerland that wasn’t (and that wasn’t worth every penny). And if you’ve got some cash to spare, send a little love to the lead singer of Crooked Bangs and her roommates, who are recovering from a tragic house fire. Donate here.
NYE 1968 AT HOTEL VEGAS, GYPSY LOUNGE, AND VOLSTEAD
At $20, this show may hold the illusion of minor priciness, but do not be dismayed. With over 25 bands on 4 different stages throughout 3 different venues, this live music carousal definitely qualifies as very affordable and is more than worth it. Various local acts will be impersonating the best pop, rock, psych, and soul groups that the year 1968 had to offer. Do not pass up this opportunity to relive the past or see that band you always wished you’d been alive to see. Check out Austin natives Holy Wave as the Beach Boys, The Bad Lovers as Creedance Clearwater Revival, Sweet Spirit as Marvin Gaye, and many more.
Your live music adventure at the New Year doesn’t end when the champagne stops flowing during the wee hours of the 1st. Austin’s FREE WEEK begins the first night of 2015. Check back with Austin.com for updates and photos on Austin’s week long, free live music party!
