Austin’s music festival, Free Week took over the Red River Cultural District this past weekend, bringing in the first weekend of the new year with local music and culture.
Leila Sunier kicked off my Free Week fest with a sound landscape that brought folk music to an electronic music age. Her tender lyrics swayed with nostalgic instrumentals that the crowd bobbed along with. No phones in sight, just vibes. Accompanied by bassist Pete Legasey and drummer David Edwards, the band showed many first-time listeners what they’re all about — music for “skeptic optimists,” as Sunier described. Just when you thought you knew the band, bandmates left the stage for Sunier’s solo performance. She became a bouncy house music machine. The transition from folk to four to the floor house still felt like they were of the same world. Different genres, but of the same tender feelings. Around me was a fellow raver making dance circles bouncing along to the drum and synth machine. It was a party that kept going when the band returned for their more acoustic focused songs. You can see Leila Sunier at her next show at the 13th Floor Feb. 13.
Free Week became part of the city’s identity when it began in 2003. Like other Austin festivals South by Southwest, Levitation and Hot Summer Nights, it’s not set in just one venue. You need to engage with the city’s DNA like the locals and hop through the 12 venues that make up the Red River Cultural District’s ‘music mile’. I knew I was in for a ride on day one when Stubb’s opened their doors at 8:30 p.m. on to a packed house.
In between sets I stopped at Hoboken Pie for street pizza who also participated in Free Week fest. Food vendors gave discounts for mentioning the fest. We could hear bands playing from the venues next door and overhear people on the street talking about the sets they just saw or heading towards. The streets were a mix of the old and new Austin. Tech bro cowboy hats and lip filler leather jackets walked alongside DIY faded jeans and scuffed boots. Free Week pulled in lots of different types of people with the whole goal to discover new, local performers.
I next headed to Empire control room for Half Dream, an eclectic country rock band with 80’s hair rock guitar solos. This was the Austin sound I’m familiar with. Lead singer and guitarist Paige Renee Berry sported a bright blue figure skating leotard and showed off her tattoo of grandma. An outfit and sentimentality you can hear in the music. Drummer Wes Armstrong, lead guitar Laine Higgins, bassist Mike Wade blasted the room (a little too loud for my preference) for another great Free Week performance. Get a taste of my experience with Half Dream from their new LP “Will I Still Bloom.”
I saw two performances during Day 1 of Free Week. The Red River Cultural District non-profit fundraises all year around to put on this festival and their other free fest, Hot Summer Nights in July.
“Free Week is a celebration of everything that makes Austin the Live Music Capital of the World — our incredible local artists, historic venues, and a Cultural District that has been a home base for generations of musicians,” Nicole Klepadlo, interim executive director of the Red River Cultural District, said in a statement.
Earlier this year the Austin city council approved a $150,000 annual contract with the non-profit to support the festivals and preserve the district’s culture. Klepadlo said they have been trying for two years to get this kind of support as funding decreased and costs rose since the pandemic. In 2013, the city recognized Red River’s 30 years of musical history and gave the area a cultural designation. “Red River began to be known as Austin’s live music district in the ‘90s, with Emo’s and Stubb’s leading the way,” according to the cultural district’s history page.
Despite their history, venues have been facing new financial pressures that raise concerns of venues being displaced or closing their doors, says Klepadlo. Their free music festivals Hot Summer Nights and Free Week were on the chopping block.
The festivals help venues and musicians during the off season and connect locals to the city’s musical culture. If you’ve new to Austin and never been to a local festival, Hot Summer Nights will be the next best way to get to know your city.
512 Observer 
Leave a comment