Galveston is officially deemed a Texas Friendly Music Certified Community!
The Texas Music Office awarded Galveston this certification for its continued efforts to embrace and support the local music scene. From bringing name acts like Johnny Mathis to the Grand Opera House to La Izquierda’s Save the Locals series, there is no question that Galveston is a music destination.
The City of Galveston has been designated by the Texas Music Office (TMO) as a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community. The Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since introduced by TMO in 2016, seeks to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in Texas cities and communities.
Music is key to the Texas brand and is deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of our great state. Music Friendly Texas Communities certified by the Texas Music Office work hard to attract and develop the local music industry to boost local job creation and economic growth.
Governor Greg Abbott
It's a well-known fact that Texas has deep roots in music, with stars like Willie Nelson, Janis Joplin, ZZ Top, George Strait, and Buddy Holly calling the Lone Star State home. Galveston, with its unique musical heritage, is no exception. Musicians like Barry White, Richard Williams, and Esther Philips have all hailed from the island. This rich musical history, combined with the recent certification, opens the doors for bigger acts, more venues, and more ways for people to join in on the fun.
Galveston is excited to boost its music scene with this new certification.
The Grand 1894 Opera House opened in the late 19th century, and has hosted operas, films, bands, and musicals, including The Marriage of Figaro (1992), My Fair Lady (1989), and Annie (1991).
Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is a still running venue that hosts Galveston’s own Robert Kuhn, Hayes Carll, Kevin Anthony, and Come See My Dead Person. The stage has even launched the career of Dusty Hill from ZZTop.
The Balinese Room, built in 1920, hosted legends like Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Duke Ellington. You could dance the night away, try your luck at poker, or hit the slots— until it was tragically destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Though the Balinese Room may have met its untimely demise and is forever closed, The Grand 1894 Opera House and Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe are still going as strong as ever. These two music venues allow Galveston crowds to enjoy music as a community.
As Galveston evolves, so does its music scene. On any given night, you can catch a local act at a variety of venues from the Old Quarter Acoustic cafe to one of many bars or even hotel rooftops..
Live Music at Hotel Lucine rooftop.
Music flows like water on the island, and thanks to local restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and historic Postoffice Street, you can’t go a mile without interacting with some form of music. Every four to six weeks, the art galleries on Postoffice Street open their doors to the public, to allow for an evening of music and entertainment during ArtWalk.
You can walk from one end of the street to another and enjoy acoustic jams on the sidewalk or full sets inside many of the shops. Are you looking for local or touring acts? Check out the Hotel Lucine’s Sunsets & Sounds series, or pop on over to Daquiri Time Out, which has hosted its fair share of record release parties this summer. Looking for a more classical touch? Visit the Galveston Symphony Orchestra.
La Izquierda Festival
This summer was one of the busiest yet for the music community in Galveston, with festivals, touring acts, record release parties, celebrations of local artists, and so much more!
The opportunities are endless now that Galveston has been deemed a certified music-friendly community. The remainder of 2024 and the whole of 2025 are lining up nicely with global acts like Lyle Lovette, Johnny Mathis, The Righteous Brothers, and endless local acts shining across the stage. With the backing of the Texas Music Office and the City of Galveston, the music scene is set to flourish. Keep your ears to the ground because you never know who might show up on a local stage!
September 14 - Johnny Mathis: The Voice of Romance Tour
September 5 - Jesse Dayton
September 6 - Melissa Carper
September 7 - Rock Bottom String Band
September 8 - Amy Lavere, Will Sexton
September 12 - Cactus Lee
September 13 - Guy Forsyth
September 14 - Raudiver, Studded Left
September 19 - Tex Renner, Ray Wyatt
September 20 - Two Tons Of Steel
September 21 - The South Austin Moonlighters
September 27 - JM Stevens
September 28 - Adam Carroll, Chris Carroll
Click here to see more shows at Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe.
Tuesday’s in September - Sharky’s Open Mic Night (Sharky’s Tavern)
Thursday’s in September - Live music at the lobby bar (Tremont Hotel)
September 5 - First Thursdays at The Bryan (Bryan Museum)
September 7 - Live with Lydia (Galveston Island Market)
September 14 - Summer Strand Series Local Showcase: Galvezton, India Tigers in Texas and Kevin Anthony & G-Town (Saengerfest Park)
September 21 - AIA & La Izquierda Galveston Sandcastle Festival: Girlbouy, Austin Gaston, Dem Roots, Karankawa, Kevin Anthony & G-Town, India Tigers, Songs for Lila, Raa Tansiel, Oje Band, Youth Soul Love (East Beach)
September 27 & 28 - Galveston Island Shrimp Festival: Rich O’Toole, Brandon McDermott Band (Downtown Galveston)
Check out the following for live music all September long:
Hearsay on the Strand, 1877, Tin Cup’s CaddyShack, Axecade, Waterman’s, 23rd Street Piano Bar, Playground Patio Bar & Grill, MOD Coffee House, Lucky Lounge, Vida Agave.
Where the Texas Coast begins.
Author
Culture Clash Magazine
Culture Clash Magazine is a unique regional publication that focuses on Galveston Island and its surrounding communities. Since 2017, we've been delivering culturally relevant, trending topics. We distribute 4,000 hard copies six times a year, and our digital media is updated daily. Our mission is to educate and enlighten the Galveston Community through engaging, thought-provoking content, making us a vital part of the local culture.
Send An Email
