Free 2ND Street Soundcheck to Showcase Local Artists in Downtown Austin

On June 18, the 2ND Street District will fill with live music and vendors during free 2ND Street Soundcheck festival (Credit: 2ND Street District)

Guest article by Alicia Santiago

An Austin summer is filled to the brim with free movie screenings, swimming holes, brewery tours and live music. The summer live music scene feels different than it does the rest of the year. Attribute it to the Texas sun or UT students’ summer vacation, but summer in Austin feels like a time for locals to enjoy the Live Music Capital of the World.

You’ve heard about Blues on the Green and Unplugged at the Grove, but the 2ND Street Soundcheck festival takes the cake for summer music festivals. This free family event offers live music, shopping, in-store performances and outdoor fun, all while supporting the local artistic community.

2ND Street Soundcheck Venue

See Walker Lukens perform during 2ND Street Soundcheck 2016

Presented by Google, the 2ND Street Soundcheck is celebrating five years in the 2ND Street District of downtown Austin. On Sat., June 18, from 1-8 p.m., more than two dozen local artists will take over 2nd street between Colorado Street and San Antonio Street, performing on two different outdoor stages and inside multiple stores.

The pop-up parties and in-store performances are the perfect opportunities to check out all the 2ND Street District has to offer. Be sure to hit up the boutiques such as Austin Rocks, Blu Dot, Con’Olio, Hacienda and PRIZE to hear acoustic in-store acts. Move to the pop rhythms of Kady Rain, the groovy sounds of Graham Wilkinson and the soulful harmonies of the Traveling Ones.

Local DJs will be spinning throughout the day at W Austin’s Outdoor Lounge. Cocktails are provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, so come thirsty!

2ND Street Soundcheck Set List

Tameca Jones plays at 6 p.m. on the West Stage (Credit: Eric Highland)

The 2ND Street Soundcheck outdoor performances feature something for every music lover, from soulful art-pop Walker Lukens, to funky bluegrass-inspired Sour Bridges, to the “folk rock, hardcore, Americana, and atmospheric post-punk” sound of East Cameron Folkcore. Besides learning what “folk rock, hardcore, Americana, and atmospheric post-punk” actually means, I am most excited about seeing the dream-pop trio Moving Panoramas and the powerfully soulful Tameca Jones.

Learn more about all the talented Austin musicians before they hit the stage, and check the schedule so you don’t miss your favorites! You can find that info by clicking here.

2ND Street Soundcheck Stage Crew

You could win a Fender American Elite Telecaster Guitar through this year’s 2ND Street Soundcheck (Credit: 2ND Street District)

What would an Austin festival be without local vendors? While traveling from each in-store performance to the outdoor stages, you and your family will be entertained in the streets.

For your hunger cravings, the festival offers Amy’s Ice Cream, The Bonneville, Brown Distributing Company, Cru Food & Wine Bar, HEB, La Sirena, La Fantabulous, and Sweet Leaf Tea. For your craft cravings, check out Fine Southern Gentlemen, LACQUER, milk + honey, PRIZE, St. Bernard Silvercar, Swatch, and TopGolf. For your music cravings, Austin Music Foundation, The Good Music Club and KUTX 98.9 will have your back at the festival. While the Beer Garden entertains the adults, the Kids Zone features fun activities and games from Austin’s very own Toy Joy.

One lucky festival-goer will walk away with a Fender American Elite Telecaster Guitar! Follow the hashtag #FOLLOWTHEFENDERTELE to see the guitar make its way around town before stopping at the 2nd Street Soundcheck. You can enter to win online.

For a Good Cause

Proceeds from 2ND Street Soundcheck will benefit local nonprofit Austin Music Foundation and KUTX 98.9
(Credit: Mathis Kennington)

The 2ND Street Soundcheck’s website boasts, “2ND Street Soundcheck is proud to be the only major music festival in Austin showcasing an entire roster of local artists for the benefit of the local artist community.” In addition to curating an all-local music and vendor lineup, the festival’s proceeds will benefit two staples in the Austin music scene: Austin Music Foundation and KUTX 98.9.

Austin Music Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to strengthen and connect the local music community with innovative programs that empower music professionals and music businesses within Austin’s creative economy.” The organization achieves this mission through education, opportunity and unification. Visit their website to learn about their online resources, one-on-one music consultations, events, panels, mixers and all the other wonderful things they do to bring musicians, music-focused nonprofits and the music industry together in Austin.

And of course, there’s KUTX 98.9, the independent, member-supported public radio station bringing you the Austin Music Experience. Their music service provides the Austin community with “fresh, cutting-edge music that matters to Austin, alongside iconic songs and established artists who continue to inspire.” KUTX 98.9 features special programming like one-of-a-kind performances in Studio 1A, the Austin Music Minute, the KUTX Artist of the Month, My KUTX DJ sessions, plus so much more. KUTX is an Austin music institution, connecting the community with all things Austin music and being our community hub for discovering Austin music roots.