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Austin has of more than 250 live music venues and enough musicians to book out every night. Enjoy every a range of music genre—most clubs are packed into the downtown area, so it's easy to get around. The arts scene in Austin is buzzing. Enthusiast can find countless galleries on the east side and plenty of independent theater around town.
The flagship theater of the Texas Performing Arts is the largest of its kind in Austin and attracts visitors from near and far for exclusive symphony, orchestra, choral, ensemble, and concert band performances. The 2,900-seat auditorium is world-class in every way. Also inside, the smaller, more intimate Bates Recital Hall features performances by both students and faculty of the University of Texas as well as professional visiting musicians.
You’ll want to visit the Long Center as much for what’s happening inside as for its ultramodern exterior and unbeatable views of the downtown skyline. The lakefront performance venue and community gathering place is home to a range of live performances throughout the year, including lyric operas, ballets, rock concerts, and many of Austin’s prime foodie and outdoor festival events, from the Austin Food + Wine Festival to SXSW. Food trucks, pop-up art installations, and a wide variety of free special events are also hosted on the city terrace.
This intimate, 400-seat proscenium theater is not only the performance space for UT's excellent orchestra, dance, drama, and lyric opera productions. It also brings a wide range of professional musicians to the stage, including chamber music and solo recitals. In addition to classical music, you can catch a show during the annual Summer Stock series, when headlining performers and Broadway musicals—such as Wicked and Annie—come to town. The theater is located in the same building as Bass Concert Hall.
