Most people probably associate bluegrass and folk music with the state of Texas. While there is a strong presence of these musical genres in the area, Texas has a very impressive and diverse music scene. Austin seems to bring in the largest and best-known music throughout the year, but there is an abundance of festivals, concerts and entertainment all over the state.The Austin City Limits festival held every fall hosts over 100 artists and bands and is attended by thousands from around the nation and around the world. This year the festival will take place October 8-10 in Zilker Park. Some of this year’s headliners included The Eagles, Phish, M.I.A. and the Flaming Lips. A wide range of artists representing many different genres and generations make this festival great for all music lovers.
The Kerrville Folk Festival has been running for nearly 40 years, since its start in 1972. This 18-day festival that takes place every May and June showcases many new and aspiring artists. A few well-known artists who once played on this stage include Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson and Mary Chapin Carpenter. The smaller, weekend long, Kerrville Wine and Music Festival is held every year over Labor Day. With a similar concept and style of music, this fall festival adds a focus on great wine and winemakers from around Texas.
Another legendary festival held in Austin is South by Southwest (SXSW). This week and a half long event is broken down into music, film, and interactive segments. This festival not only provides non-stop entertainment, but is also a great place to help new artists get started and learn tips of how to succeed in the industry. SXSW 2011 will take place March 11-20.