Texas Music Festival and Event Reviews
If you have a passion for Texas outdoor music festivals and events near you, then you should enjoy these Texas music festival and event reviews. On this page you’ll find outdoor music festivals and events in Texas, one of which should be near you, that we have recently attended and the articles that we wrote about the event.
Each of our festival and event reviews will give a good overview of what we thought about the event and from the information provided you can decide if this is an event that you want to attend next year. See near the bottom of this page for a link to several other fun festival reviews that were done over the last few years. If you know of some fun outdoor music festivals please let us know. Thanks.
2020 Featured Texas Music Festival Reviews
Love & Lightstream Drive-in Music Festival – Cedar Park – this was a first for us as well as a first for several of the musicians – a drive-in movie festival and it was a lot of fun. Clapping, yelling, honking, and flashing car lights from our socially distanced well defined parking spot for five great bands – Shinyribs, Grady Spence and the Work, Western Youth, PR Newman, and Love & Chaos. And a lively but bundled-up crowd trying to stay warm on a cool windy night. It was our first time back to a drive-in in many years, which brought back some fond and fun memories. The sound was excellent and we could order food and beer and it was delivered to our car – hard to beat that!
Larry Joe Taylor’s Fall Fest – Stephenville – the Taylors had to jump through hoops to make this festival happen thanks to all of the COVID-19 restrictions. And we had a blast and was great to hear live music again! The music started on Wednesday afternoon and continued until late Saturday night and some of the highlights included: an excellent lineup with musicians excited about a paying gig with a live audience; some superb music from over 20 singer songwriter contestants playing their hearts out for a spot on the stage at next years Fall Fest; a fun, laid back, and respectfull group of fans; camping; and cold buckets of beer!
Thomas Michael Riley’s Music Festival – Luckenbach – it’s hard to beat Thomas Michael Riley’s Music Festival – the lineup is always great, the fans are fun and lively, the beer is cold, there is camping just up a small hill from the venue, the picking around the campfire is excellent, and Luckenbach (unique and rich with music history) is a perfect place for a music festival. This was Thomas Michael Riley’s 13th annual music festival and it was one of the best.
Newellfest – Cresson – Newellfest was a tribute to the musicians and a unique accomplishment. It was the first music festival of 2020 that wasn’t cancelled due to COVID-19 and the festival was put together in less than 30 days – a venue was found; 8 musicians agreed to play with no guarantee of any money and it was their first gig in over 3 months; over 30 sponsors and volunteers were rounded up; food vendors, stage crew, and sound systems were in place; and hundreds of Texas music fans showed up despite COVID-19. It was a vibrant, lively, and good time with dancing, singing, drinking, hugging, and laughing and a welcome relief from staying home worrying about COVID-19. Thanks to Gary and Charlene Newell for making it happen!
2019 Featured Texas Festival Reviews
Austin Film Festival – Austin – wow, if you like films or want to socialize with filmmakers and peers, then you need to attend next years Austin Film Festival. Seven days with over 60 feature films and 50 short films were selected from the over 6000 films that were screened for the festival. The films covered everything from documentaries to films about Texas, family, freedom, getting old, post mortem, basic needs, escapades, and more! The short films ranged from morbid to off-the-wall to funny, thoughtful, tender, and tear jerkers. In addition to all the films there were panels, workshops, conferences, and several parties.
Texas Music Reunion – Nemo – 3 days of country music with 24 different bands and singer songwriters ranging from some radio songwriter award winners to some veterans like Tommy Alverson, Larry Joe Taylor, Thomas Michael Riley, 1100 Springs, Davin James, Jamie Richards, and more. Plus a beautiful setting along the Brazos River, camping, BYOB and lawn chairs, and a fun and lively crowd.
Thomas Michael Riley’s 12th Annual Texas Music Festival – Luckenbach – another great TMR music festival was a good mix of regulars (like Max Stalling, Davin James, Tommy Alverson, blacktopGYPSY) plus some first timers like 1100 Springs, Nate Kipp, Saints Eleven, and Americas Got Talent’s Coby Smith. Plus new this year was a fantastic outdoor stage, which meant we didn’t have to move into the dance hall for the evening performances. The fans were great, the weather was perfect, the beer was cold, the food was pretty good, the dance floor was alwayspacked, the camping was close buy, and it was in Luckenbach!
Old Settlers Music Festival – Dale – read the ten reasons why we consider Old Settler’s Music Festival to be one of the best in Texas! I’ll give you some clues – a grammy award winning lineup that includes music genres ranging from blues to cajun to folk and fun; 4 stages (two of which run simultaneously during the day) and over 40 artists; camping across the street from the music venue; lots of food vendors; and a fantastic vibe! Hard to beat all of that!
Cherokee Creek Music Festival – Cherokee – some of what makes this festival very special include: a lineup that typically includes several grammy award winners, a beautiful setting along a creek, free lunch and dinner, close by camping, fans who are here for the music, a stunning music pavilion, and camping close to the music.
Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival – Stephenville – as usual, six days of music with over 55 popular Texas singer songwriters (Pat Green, Kevin Fowler, Wade Bowen, Mike McClure, William Clark Green, Roger Creager, Randy Rogers Band, Koe Wetzel, and lots more), 4 music stages, over 60,000 lively music fans, close by camping, lots of food vendors, BYOB and lawn chairs, and Bloody Mary Morning with live music – how can you beat all of that?
2018 Featured Texas Music Festival Reviews
Glenn Sanders’ Texas Music Reunion – Nemo – after 20 years, when Tommy Alverson said he wasn’t going to have any more Tommy Alverson Family Gathering Music Festivals, Glenn Sanders said “I’ll continue the tradition!” And what great job he did of keep the spirit, vibe, camping, fun, and excellent music going. Two days with Texas county singer songwriters like Davin James, Max Stalling, 1100 Springs, Deryl Dodd, Jamie Richards, Max Stalling, Walt Wilkins, and more – check out our review to learn more.
Larry Joe Taylor’s 13th Annual Fall Fest Rhymes & Vines Music Festival – Stephenville – this may have been the best of the 11 Rhymes and Vines that we have attended. The line-up was a great mix of the regular guys who play Rhymes & Vines (Deryl Dodd, Tejas Brothers, Mike McClure, Max Stalling, Davin James, and more) plus several refreshing new singer songwriters playing the festival for the first time – for example, Cody Wier, Shinyribs, Shea Abshier & the Nighthowlers, Giovannie & the Hired Guns. In addition to great music what makes the festival fun is camping, BYOB, and some fun, friendly, and lively fans.
Waterloo Fest – Austin – this was the first year for what will most likely be an new annual event! If you like jam bands this is the festival for you with 30 bands playing on two stage over 3 days. Part of what makes this festival fun is the variety of genres ranging from punk to rock to funk plus blues, soul, R&B, bluegrass and lots more from national and local Austin bands. The event was held on Carson Creek Ranch’s 60 acres of country side along the banks of the Colorado River. Plus there is tent and RV camping, some good food vendors, and very fun, lively, and friendly fans.
Thomas Michael Riley’s 11th Annual Texas Music Festival – Ju
ne in Luckenbach – we’ve been to eight of the last eleven of Thomas Michael Riley’s festivals and we’ve looked them all. What makes this festival fun and enjoyable is a good country music lineup, an older mature and fun loving fan base, camping within 500 yards of the stage, and the festival setting is held in the quaint and unique town of Luckenbach.
Kerrville Folk Festival – May in Kerrville – in it’s 47th year is the longest running music festival in North America – 18 days and nights and considered a Mecca in the singer-songwriter landscape where over 100 national and international performers not only mingle together on stage but also with locals under the stars during legendary camp side jam session. Kerrville Folk Festival is simply a grand, magical experience with camping, bike rides, canoe trips, river swims, art and music workshops, nature walks, yoga, beer and wine seminars, and gospel Sundays.
Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival – April in Stephenville – 2018 was the 30th anniversary of Larry Joe Taylor’s Texas Music Festival and it was a great one. Over 45 excellent Texas singer songwriters and bands playing on two different stages plus lots of great music around the campfires in the campground. With over 3000 campsites, both primitive and some with water and electricity, the campground is always alive with music, laughter, games, and the smell of everything from bacon to BBQ. Over 45,000 fans, most of which seem to be from nearby Tarelton State plus UT in Dallas and Austin, and Texas A&M, this festival is lively, friendly, and excellent for people watching! This festival is also BYOB, has a stage with music and Bloody Mary’s, lots of vendors selling everything from fried alligator to BBQ, pizza, Gyros, burgers, dogs, and lots more.
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
