Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement Community Forum 2: Is Austin Still the Live Music Capital? Understanding Austin’s Live Music Venue Ecosystem

Join venue owners, producers, promoters, ticketing professionals, musicians, and community leaders for a solution-focused conversation about Austin’s live music venue ecosystem—and how we can keep live music accessible while helping artists and venues thrive.

Is Austin Still the Live Music Capital? Understanding Austin’s Live Music Venue Ecosystem

Austin’s live music identity depends on a healthy, connected ecosystem of musicians, venues, promoters, producers, ticketing platforms, policymakers, audiences, and community partners. But rising operating costs, affordability challenges, changing audience behavior, development pressures, and evolving industry economics are placing increasing strain on the people and places that make live music possible.

Join Austin Texas Musicians, the Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement, and St. Edward’s University for the second event in a two-part Community Forum Series exploring the future of Austin’s music community.

This free public forum will bring together venue owners, producers, promoters, ticketing professionals, musicians, students, educators, civic and business leaders, community advocates, music fans, and members of the media for a balanced, solution-oriented conversation.

The discussion will explore:

• The economic realities facing Austin’s independent music venues
• How rising costs affect venues, ticket prices, audiences, and artist compensation
• The roles of promoters, producers, ticketing platforms, and other industry partners
• How development, affordability, regulations, and public policy shape the venue ecosystem
• What is working—and where additional support or investment is needed
• How Austin can keep live music accessible while ensuring artists and venues remain financially sustainable
• Practical ways residents, businesses, universities, nonprofits, and government can help strengthen the live music economy

The moderated forum will include an audience Q&A, giving attendees an opportunity to participate in the conversation.

Featured Panelists

• Rebecca Reynolds — President & Founder, Music Venue Alliance Austin
• Nicole Klepadlo — Executive Director, Red River Cultural District
• Will Bridges — Owner, Antone’s Nightclub
• Graham Williams — CEO & Executive of Talent Buying, Resound Presents
• Emmett Beliveau — COO, C3 Presents, Chair of Rally Austin
• Pedro Carvahlo — Owner and CEO, The Far Out Lounge,  Co-Chair, Austin Music Commission

Moderator: David Thomason, Ph.D., Executive Director, Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Reception Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Reception Location: Carriage House/Kozmetsky Center for Civic Engagement
Enjoy food, drinks, and music. Join musicians, students, civic leaders, community members, media, and panelists before the Forum discussion.

Forum Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Forum Location: Jones Auditorium (in the Ragsdale Center Building), St. Edward’s University
1st Floor, Ragsdale Center, Moody Dr #101, Austin, TX 78704

Admission: Free and open to the public. Capacity is limited to 310 guests; RSVP required.

Before and after the forum, connect with musicians, students, industry professionals, civic leaders, community organizations, and fellow music supporters. 

This is not a commercial conference or fundraiser. It is a free civic forum created to encourage informed dialogue, strengthen collaboration, and identify practical solutions for the future of Austin music.