The Live Music Capital of The World....for how long?

We have all heard Austin being referred to as The Live Music Capital of the World, and it fits. A great deal of this city’s culture revolves around the music scene and the world-renowned, historic venues that make it possible. Austin is drastically growing in population and size, and with this growth, inevitably, comes change. This change has stirred up issues within the Austin music community; sound and volume level being one of the most prominent. In response to these pending issues, to help create a solution, the city council and Mayor Will Wynn created the Live Music Task Force (LMTF).

During October and the beginning of November, Austin’s Live Music Task Force and the city council have called several meetings to discuss and draw up a draft report to tackle the current sound ordinance topic, among others. The LMTF have asked the music community to come out and show support on the behalf of musicians and entertainers alike. This topic has appropriately touched the hearts and minds of many Austinites, gaining attention by several local publications. The Austin-American Statesman printed an article, LMFT's draft report and recommendations, over viewing the situation and possible solutions.

I realize that Austin is growing at a rapid rate and there is a need for more accommodations, however the city has been built around its entertainment and culture. Musicians come from around the world to play in Austin, as do music patrons come to Austin to experience it. The people who willingly choose to buy and move into the new downtown lofts and condos know exactly what they are getting into. It’s going to be loud and it’s going to last well into the night, trying to put a cap on the noise level to appease the new residences, to me, is quite upsetting. Downtown venues are the ones suffering; the rent and taxes alone are enough to break the bank, and yet they keep-on-keeping-on providing the live music stimuli the majority of us desire. The last meeting will be at the end of the month, and I am interested, and maybe a bit worried, to hear the outcome. I personally love living in The Live Music Capitol of the World and would hate to see anything or anyone change how the scene is ran