Austin’s No-Cost Music Bonanza

The first week of the New Year comes highly anticipated in Austin, as it’s kicked off by seven full days of free music in the city’s famed Red River entertainment district. If you’re looking to book a gig in Austin sometime soon, and you don’t mind playing it pro bono for maximum exposure, Red River Free Week is a prime opportunity to get your foot in the door. The venues stay pretty packed no matter who is playing.

Red River Free Week spans January 1st through 8th and takes place in 12 venues across Red River entertainment district. While Emo’s is typically the hub of all the best and biggest free shows, Mohawk will also host some of the most buzzed about bands, boasting jam-packed lineups of indie rock and local, Austin favorites. Needless to say, it will be a safe bet as a destination of choice for 2011’s free festivities.

The week of free festivities is great for checking out new and unfamiliar music because, well, if the bands suck what have you got to lose? You can sample a ton of new music at no coast, and if the you’re not digging the showcase you find yourself at, you can simply bounce down the street to another gig or just call it a night.

Participating venues include Club DeVille, Emo’s, Emo’s Annex, Red Eyed Fly, Head Hunter’s, Mohawk, Beauty Bar, Beerland, Red 7, Room 710, and Elysium.