Just when it seems like Willie Nelson’s popularity couldn’t get any, well, higher, he goes and does something like this. Today, the beloved Austin-based singer announced that he and wife Annie will release a new weed-centric cookbook just in time for the holiday season. Out in mid-November, Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them, combines the country icon’s love of marijuana and storytelling with Annie’s passion for home-cooked meals.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Willie Nelson (@willienel ..read more

Nothing is more true to the spirit of Austin than a Friday night spent two stepping to a live band. Nestled behind the gorgeous Four Seasons Hotel Austin and Lady Bird Lake’s scenic hike and bike trail, The Point is an intimate hangout where you can hear great musicians and kick back with a cold beer or cocktail. Whether you’re a guest at the hotel or just a music-loving local, head out to this free, open-to-the-public event on May 24 from 6-9 p.m. The evening begins with some free line dancing tips from The Texas Two Stepper, which you can put to good use when local country act The Sentimenta ..read more

Austin summers may be getting hotter, but it’s not cooling our love of outdoor music series yet. These five free events showcase everything from professional bands and orchestras to avid amateurs at local open mics.   1 / Tunes With a View: The Drop-In at the Long Center Break out your blankets and lawn chairs and head to the Long Center for this outdoor concert series. Every Thursday between late May and mid-August (except for July 4), enjoy a free show at this 3D-printed stage with the downtown skyline as the backdrop. Each week’s artist will be revealed the Friday before, and RSVPs wil ..read more

Five months from now, thousands of music lovers will pour through the ACL Fest gates and into Zilker Park. Today, we got the big reveal on exactly who will be playing Austin’s beloved fall music festival, and the lineup did not disappoint. While female artists have headlined stages before, this year marks the first time that a female artist was the top name on the lineup announcement, with international pop star Dua Lipa taking the honor. Everyone will be talking about Dua Lipa and Tyler, the Creator, but Chris Stapleton will be a huge draw as one of country’s biggest artists, and Blink 182 is ..read more

In a city renowned for music and keeping things weird, no one embodies both camps like Willie Nelson. To celebrate Austin’s luminary country star turning 91 today, we’re looking back at 10 (that’s 9 + 1) formative moments in his career, from an appearance at the Armadillo World Headquarters to the unveiling of his statue outside of the Moody Theater.   1955: A job at a radio station in Pleasanton, Texas, provides an opportunity for Nelson’s first recordings.  Born in Abbott, Texas, Nelson was raised by his grandparents, who gave him a guitar at age 6. He began performing in bars and ..read more

Despite enduring some tumultuous intervals over the years, including cancellations and venue changes, Austin Psych Fest returns April 26-28 at the Far Out Lounge. Not only was the event series founded by homegrown musicians and members of psych rock band Black Angels, but also the entire genre owes something to the capital city. Stretching back to the mid-1960s, local band the 13th Floor Elevators were among the pioneers of psychedelic rock. This year’s iteration features three days of fantastic local talent and renowned touring artists playing on two stages. Tickets are available for individu ..read more

A six-show residency for international pop sensation Harry Styles. Bruce Springsteen’s first Austin performance in over a decade. Not one, but two nights with Madonna. Events like these were unthinkable in the capital city before the Moody Center, which turned 2 in April. If that revelatory status sounds like hyperbole, just ask Louis Messina, the promoter for some of the country’s biggest artists, including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and George Strait. “It was a B market—that’s how I looked at it,” he says of Austin pre-Moody. “Now, I see it as a must-play.” With more than five decades of expe ..read more

Now that’s a way to celebrate another trip around the sun! On April 8, Vampire Weekend lead singer Ezra Koenig rang in his 40th birthday in style as the band performed a midday show chock full of surprise guests to coincide with the total solar eclipse in Austin. Crowds of eager fans snaked around the entire perimeter of Moody Amphitheater as they waited in line for the sold-out show, collecting special eclipse glasses before gaining entrance to the outdoor music venue.   Special Vampire Weekend eclipse glasses.   A little after noon on Monday, Vampire Weekend walked onstage as the s ..read more

Music fans who love discovering new acts had plenty to explore this year at SXSW. Without the fervor of shows from superstars like Kanye West or Bruce Springsteen, independent artists constituted the bulk of talent performing in venues across the city. Below, we provide a rundown of the most memorable sets we saw and the music we’ll definitely be adding to our playlists.   Balthvs This Colombian trio’s name popped up on an abundance of event lineups this year, including the official closing music party—and it’s easy to see why after their entrancing performance at Mohawk last Wednesday. F ..read more

One way to mark the chapters of SXSW is to recall the buzziest musical act in a particular year. The time Future Islands played what seemed like a hundred shows. Or when the xx transformed from a trio of unknown teenagers into a household name. Or the year attendees had nearly half a dozen chances to see Kendrick Lamar right after Good Kid, M.A.A.D City came out. Below, we’ve assembled a list of the bands you’re most likely to hear all your friends gushing about as the week unfolds.   Reyna Tropical As the founder of female guitarist–focused zine She Shreds and a variety of musical projec ..read more