Venue closures on Red River have some musicians concerned about future of live music in Austin – Spectrum News

Venue closures on Red River have some musicians concerned about future of live music in Austin  Spectrum News

Walking along the streets of Austin may look and sound different than it did years ago. AUSTIN, Texas — Austin has seen some changes over the years, and it’s a story taking place in several cities across the country. Austinites worry about the city losing its charm and its place as the Live Music Capital of the World. At the Red River Cultural District (RRCD), also known as Austin’s Music Mile, live music still fills the air in the evening, but with Valhalla closing and Elysium and The 13th Floor up for sale, those who frequent these venues are getting worried. The Nimbus — made up of band members Martin McCreadie and Ritchard Napierkowski — is among those with some concerns.

The band started performing at venues in the RRCD about 14 years ago. “We’ve played all up and down Red River throughout the cultural district,” McCreadie said. “Almost every venue that has been a part of it, we’ve played there.” A string of at least five closures of some venues in the area has them worried about the district’s future. “I’ve seen a lot of really good people who kept this street active kind of go the way of the dodo, and that’s unfortunate,” Napierkowski said. The RRCD wrote a letter to the city, asking officials to take action