Even without doors to open, Austin's newest music venue was still able to host its inaugural show.
Patrons and news teams waited anxiously outside the new Austin Music Hall for a charity event Nov. 26 benefiting the SIMS and HAAM Foundations, while the city inspector made final passes through the structure.
Missing large developments in both the exterior and interior, and only cleared for the public in specific areas, the steel, brick and concrete hull allow cold air to blow through what will soon be huge glass windows facing the historic Warehouse District.
Some of Central Texas' favorite artists performed on the new stage, backdropped with a cityscape resemblance of Austin. Many of the artists have benefited directly from the Health Alliance for Austin Musician Foundation when in need, and claimed a special connection to the show. The line up included Carolyn Wonderland, Nakia and His Southern Cousins, Bobby Nelson, Kacy Crowley and Del Castillo.
The great music and full bar blew the chilling weather from my attention, and I took the opportunity to meander up the near-complete stairway that will eventually lead up beside a wall preserved from the original structure. One can visualize the wonderful confluence of brick, steel, and glass. Bethany Weigl, architect for 6th River Architecture, which designed the building, took me around and pointed out future features, including an indoor/outdoor lounge, a third floor VIP area, and a backdrop of the historic rail bridge at the north border over Shoal Creek.
When asked about the upcoming deadline of Dec. 8 for the The Bobby Bones Show Anniversary Bash featuring Lifehouse, Sean Kingston, Good Charlotte, Baby Bash, Three Days Grace and more, Weigl made it clear that, "the building will be completed by the deadline for the ongoing hard work."
The new structure takes the place of the older building that Direct Events found to be in disrepair, unable to provide a great venue for shows that are steadily trending larger and larger crowds for big name headliners and multi-artist shows.
Look for a lot more news and reviews to be coming from this venue as the Austin Music Hall races the expansion of Stubb's Amphitheater for a big pull of Austin's live music loving residents. I enjoy the space and look forward to seeing the completed structure.
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