Austin has called itself the Live Music Capital of the World for decades. But in a city transformed by rising costs, development, major concert venues and changing nightlife, does that title still fit?

Austin American-Statesman music reporter Mars Salazar joins Adam Flagg for a deep dive into where Austin music actually lives in 2026 — and why much of the most interesting stuff is happening far beyond the biggest stages.

Mars grew up in Austin sneaking into live shows as a teenager before discovering music journalism at the University of Texas. At 19, she walked up to the Austin Chronicle’s music editor after a guest lecture and simply asked for a job. Today, she attends dozens of shows each year, covers the musicians and venues shaping Austin culture, and reports on the economic, political and civic infrastructure behind the music itself.

In this conversation, Adam and Mars explore Austin’s many micro-scenes — from West Campus house shows and the Red River Cultural District to country bars, metal clubs, blues rooms and DIY venues. Mars explains how local bands grow, why social media has changed artist discovery, and what she looks for when she realizes a young band may be on the verge of something bigger.

They also talk about the resurgence of physical zines, Austin’s long tradition of artists building things without waiting for permission, and musicians including Die Spitz, Spoon, Shakey Graves, Dayglow, Black Pumas and others who emerged from Austin’s ecosystem.

But being the Live Music Capital requires more than having a lot of shows.

Mars and Adam examine the economic pressures facing musicians and venues, the organizations helping artists stay in Central Texas, the lack of traditional music-industry infrastructure in Austin, and the tension between major venues bringing world-class touring acts to the city and smaller clubs trying to survive.

Mars also shares what she learned after visiting more than 50 Austin music venues for a new Austin American-Statesman guide — including the places where the city’s older character is still very much alive.

The takeaway? Austin music hasn’t disappeared.

You may just have to look harder for it.

Key takeaways:

• Austin is a collection of interconnected music scenes, not just one.
• Some of the city’s best music is happening far beyond the biggest venues.
• Live shows are often where tomorrow’s breakout artists first stand out.
• Social media can build attention, but talent still has to deliver.
• Austin’s DIY culture remains a major part of its musical identity.
• Rising costs continue to challenge musicians and independent venues.
• Austin has a strong network of organizations supporting working musicians.
• Supporting local music can be as simple as paying the cover and trying a new venue.
• Austin’s older character is still here — you just have to know where to look.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

What does it take to make the most of Austin City Limits Music Festival—and which artists should be on your schedule before you even step into Zilker Park?

In this special episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Austin American-Statesman music reporter Mars Salazar for a full preview of ACL Fest 2026, from surviving the Texas heat to finding the artists you’ll be talking about long after the festival ends.

With more than 100 performances spread across nine stages and two weekends, ACL can be overwhelming. Mars shares her advice for first-timers, including what to bring, when to arrive, how to prepare for the heat, why comfortable shoes are non-negotiable, and how to navigate the crowds, food, transportation, and inevitable schedule conflicts.

Then, Adam and Mars dig into the 2026 lineup. They break down the festival’s growing electronic influence, the nostalgia factor behind artists like Kings of Leon and Twenty One Pilots, the strength of its female-led acts, and the notable absence of major country and rap headliners. From Charli XCX, Skrillex, Lorde, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Turnstile, Leon Thomas, Steve Aoki, and The xx to emerging artists that may be unfamiliar today, they share the performances they’re most curious to see.

They also spotlight the Austin artists getting their moment at Zilker—including Grocery Bag, Almost Heaven, Yuvi, The 4411, and Night Traveler—and make the case for arriving early. Some of the most exciting artists at ACL aren’t playing the headline slots. They’re on smaller stages in the afternoon, potentially just a few years away from becoming the names everyone knows.

Mars also reflects on what makes ACL different from other major festivals: its compact setting in the heart of Austin, its connection to the city’s parks, its local food and music, and the way thousands of people come together around artists and sounds they may not have discovered otherwise.

Along the way, Mars shares some of her most memorable ACL experiences—from Paul McCartney and Chappell Roan to mosh pits, mud, unforgettable sets, and a few performances she’d rather forget.

Whether you’re heading to Zilker for the first time, returning for another year, or looking at the lineup wondering who half these artists are, consider this your guide to ACL Fest 2026—and a reminder that sometimes the best festival discovery is the artist you didn’t know you needed to see.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1

How do you lead a city that is constantly changing without losing the qualities that made people fall in love with it in the first place?

In this episode of Austin Eras, Adam Flagg sits down with Steve Adler, Austin’s 58th mayor, for a wide-ranging conversation about nearly five decades in Austin, eight years in the mayor’s office, and what he sees differently now that he’s outside the political hot seat.

Adler arrived in Austin in 1978 for law school and never left. He built a career as an attorney, became deeply involved in Austin’s civic and nonprofit community, and eventually made an unexpected leap into politics, serving as mayor from 2015 through 2023 during one of the most consequential periods in the city’s modern history.

Adam and Steve explore what Austin felt like in the late 1970s, why the city has always rewarded risk and creativity, and how explosive growth changed both its opportunities and its pressures. They also dig into the realities of being mayor in a city where the person held accountable does not necessarily control every lever of government.

The conversation gets more personal as Adler reflects on the 2018 serial bombings, COVID, homelessness, policing, affordability, public trust, and the decisions he now views differently with the benefit of hindsight. He discusses where he believes the city got things right, where it underestimated consequences, and why listening may be one of the most important lessons he took away from office.

The episode also looks forward. Adler explains why he worries about Austin becoming a “museum of itself,” why affordability and diversity are essential to preserving the city’s creative energy, and why something as simple as music and breakfast tacos gets surprisingly close to explaining Austin’s economic and cultural advantage.

Key takeaways:

• Austin has always changed, but its culture of creativity and risk-taking has endured.
• Being mayor means carrying enormous accountability without controlling every lever.
• Adler reflects candidly on homelessness, trust, and decisions he would approach differently today.
• Austin’s future depends on affordability, diversity, and protecting the people who create its culture.
• Preserving Austin’s magic means continuing to build what comes next, not freezing the city in the past.

At its core, this episode is about the responsibility that comes with loving a city. Austin has changed dramatically since Adler arrived in 1978, and it will keep changing. His argument is that the goal should not be to freeze Austin in time, but to preserve the conditions that allow its next generation of people to make the city their own.

Get in touch with Austin Eras

Email: info@austineras.com

Website: https://www.austineras.com/

Call: 512-387-2333

Watch the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bTMj5WY-4LduZI50w8bvQ/?sub_confirmation=1