Last Friday we gathered at Barracuda Austin for a night of unforgettable singing and dancing to one of music’s most legendary farewell concerts.
The Last Waltz was a farewell concert by the Canadian-American group called, The Band. With help from renowned director, Martin Scorsese, a documentary of the same name was made to capture The Band’s last show. Joined on stage by countless special guests including Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell and more, The Last Waltz has become one of the greatest documentary concert films ever made.
Renditions of The Last Waltz have been produced all over the country for years since the original concert happened Thanksgiving night 1976. Over the years, concerts featuring some of Austin’s great musicians have been held at places like One-2-One Bar and Bass Concert Hall. The documentary has also been screened at Alamo Drafthouse and AFS in years past. This most recent production was held at Barracuda in downtown Austin on Friday, November 23, 2018 and we were thrilled to be a part of it.
Members from various Austin bands gathered on stage to pay tribute to The Band’s concert documentary, The Last Waltz on Nov. 23, 2018 at Barracuda Austin.
Hosted by Do512, Maletilla, and Hot Burrito and sponsored by Nine Banded Whiskey, members from local bands gathered on stage to pay tribute to The Band’s farewell concert. Members from Go Fever, Big Bill, Star Parks, Bryce Clifford & Brother Superior, Warm Sugar, Bop English, Sailor Poon, Loteria, PR Newman, Otis the Destroyer, Wild Bill and The Lost Knobs, Batty Jr., Magic Rockers of Texas, and many more banded together to honor some of their musical influences.
With no introduction needed, the night kicked off with Taylor Wilkins of Otis the Destroyer. As each musician was called up on stage to lend their hand in history, they somehow managed to transport the audience back to the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco that 1976 Thanksgiving night. The passion from the musicians on stage and the love from the crowd could be felt as the energy filled the air. Performance after performance left the crowd wanting more, and as the night progressed and came to a close, Austin’s local musicians delivered a closing performance the audience won’t soon forget.
This night was the perfect reminder of how far music can travel through time and how strong it can be felt in people of all generations. Music is timeless and it knows no boundaries.
To all the musicians who shared their talents on stage that night, to the crowd that brought their dancing shoes and showed their moves, to all the hosts and brilliant minds behind the scenes, and lastly, to The Band, we raise a glass of Nine Banded Whiskey.
Cheers!
