The End of an Era

Courtesy of American-Statesman

It is with sadness that I report that the University of Texas campus might have gotten just a little less weird this week.

On Monday night, November 8, the campus bid adieu to the longest running music program on TV, Austin City Limits. Lyle Lovett was on hand to perform one last time in Studio 6A before the show moves to Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater downtown to start its 37th season in February.

The 320-capacity theater was full to the brim with fans on Monday night and, with no day-of tickets available, a simulcast was playing at Hogg Auditorium for the show's most in-demand taping, according to ACL producer Terry Lickona.

While the UT community is sad to see the show go after 36 seasons, the move is logical considering the show's growing popularity and ACL Festival affiliations. The new theater on West 2nd Street will allow for 800 music lovers to enjoy every taping of the show, more than doubling the present capacity, and will remain open throughout the year for other performances and concerts.

ACL has brought to us music from all genres, featuring performances by Arcade Fire, Gnarls Barkley, The Avett Brothers, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, The Flaming Lips, and many, many more musical legends. Lovett was a fitting end to an era, rounding out his setlist with the appropriate "Closing Time."

ACL may be moving on to bigger things, but here at UT, we'll always remember our time together.

It's That Time of Year Again...

South by Southwest is coming to Austin!

Well... not quite yet, but everyone college student I know is definitely ready for it to be Spring Break.

While it may not be time for interactive, film, and music industry professionals to begin their annual descent upon our city, the folks running the SXSW Festival are full swing into preparation, and have been for some time now. Subscribers to the SXSW Twitter feed have been constantly been receiving updates about the 2011conference, and today it was announced that the initial batches of discussion panels for the music portion of the festival have been released.

As a festival volunteer last year, I was kept busy during SXSW Music with working the showcases at night, and trying to catch as many free shows during the day. However, I was lucky to be able to sit in on one of the music panels (on the future of PR in music, what else?!) at the conference center. As a student hoping to work in the industry, it was a great opportunity to hear professionals speak on the issues facing music PR and take questions.

After browsing the initial list of panels, I'm happy to say that there are already quite a few that will appeal to PR and advertising enthusiasts:

• Branded: Label Identity and the Music Marketplace-- Stephen Bower of Vanguard Records
• Brands as the New Labels-- Mike Boris of McCann Erickson
• Critics vs. Publicists: Why Must Things Be Contentious-- Heather West, Western Publicity
• Direction of the Touring Industry-- Jeffrey Chabon of AEG Facilities at the AT&T Center
• Marketing Your Music in an Overloaded World-- Carmen Rizzo of Electrofone Music
• What it Takes to Get and Promote Gigs-- Lou Plaia of ReverbNation.com

These panels are just a few of the topics covering all aspects of the music industry. Not only do these panels provide a greater understanding of how the industry operates, they provide many students a networking opportunity with professionals.

However, the panels are only open to SXSW badge holders, and those are not extremely accessible on a student's budget. But have no fear! Many volunteers get the opportunity to earn badges by working a certain number of shifts at the festival. SXSW began taking volunteer sign-ups on Nov. 1, so make sure to visit their website for more info!