Austin’s Harry Edohoukwa and Lesly Reynaga Booked for Lollapalooza, and More Music News

Lollapalooza announced the lineup for the August festival, notably including two Austin names on the poster. Harry Edohoukwa and Lesly Reynaga both head to Chicago for their own fest sets, following Edohoukwa’s past feature on Reynaga’s 2018 Latin pop crooner “The Beast.” (Edohoukwa appears to have taken his rock-integrating hip-hop catalog off streaming services.) While placement of up-and-coming capital city acts has long been commonplace in the early hours of ACL Fest, Austin-based promoters C3 Presents could be expanding the practice further at their nationwide events. COO Emmett Beliveau writes to the Chronicle: “C3 Presents has always championed the local Austin music scene, and it’s our privilege to be able to provide opportunities using our festival portfolio around the country. We’ll be cheering Lesly Reynaga and Harry Edohoukwa on as they engage with the incredible Lollapalooza audience at Grant Park in Chicago this summer.” – Rachel Rascoe

Rolling Loud unexpectedly backed out of South by Southwest last week for unspecified reasons. After initially appearing to confirm its return with a January Tweet, on March 14 the international hip-hop festival brand responded to a fan on Twitter: "We didn't want to [sad emoji] Will try again next year.” Last year, Rolling Loud teamed with social media outlet RapTV to present a truncated version of its genre-leading bonanza at Stubb's, headlined by Cactus Jack signees Sheck Wes and Don Toliver. Due to Rolling Loud’s exit, RapTV solely presented the 2023 Austin Takeover showcase at Stubb's on March 17 and 18 with a weaker lineup than last year's joint production. Texas artists Trae Tha Truth and That Mexican OT headlined. Last year’s RL x RapTV tag team replaced the longtime SXSW Takeover showcase at Stubb's, which had carved out premier hip-hop lineups across various venues over the years with top drawers such as Lil Wayne (2017) and rising stars like JID (2019). Last seen at Stubb’s in 2019, SXSW Takeover's 12-year run ended with a Babygrande Records & Friends showcase at Half Step in 2022. – Derek Udensi

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The Long Center introduced a new 3D-printed amphitheatre during SXSW. Accompanied by performances from St. Vincent and Erika Wennerstrom, the outdoor pavilion debuted on March 15 as a gift from Icon and Liz Lambert. Icon is an Austin-based architecture firm specializing in affordable and technologically-advanced construction. Collaborating with major hotelier Lambert, Icon’s Vulcan construction system printed the “cosmic-inspired amphitheater” in a matter of 14 days. The launch accompanied Lambert's announcement that she plans to relocate and expand her very own El Cosmico hotel in West Texas. She plans to convert the current 60-acre grounds in Marfa into affordable housing. Via the Long Center website, Icon Vice President of Communications Brooke Bauguess says homes and amphitheaters are just the start of what 3D printers will construct: “Additional social housing, disaster relief housing, and market-rate housing projects are also underway in addition to developing construction systems to create infrastructure and habitats on the Moon and eventually Mars with NASA.” – Katie Karp

T.I., the Grammy-awarded rapper, handed out tablets to Huston-Tillotson University students Thursday morning. In partnership with Vernell Woods, CEO of Moolah Mobile, the artist’s Thursday meet and greet provided free Moolah tablets to qualifying students, based on their financial aid information. “I am so pleased to have my friend, T.I., to help us bridge the technology gap that exists on our campus,” wrote Huston-Tillotson President Melva Williams in a press release. – Rachel Rascoe

Equipment Room, a new vinyl bar in the basement of Hotel Magdalena off South Congress, is now open. The hi-fi listening concept stems from Mohawk owner/Hot Luck co-founder James Moody, Bunkhouse Executive Chairman Amar Lalvani, as well as Breakaway Records co-owners Josh LaRue and Gabe Vaughn. Further involved parties include the managing Bunkhouse group, upscale speakermakers Klipsch Audio, and snacks/cocktails from Magdalena chef Jeffrey Hundelt. A press release considers the new outpost at 1101 Music Ln. to be “the first music-centric venue on Music Lane.” – Rachel Rascoe