Jason Camacho, revered drummer of local post-metal group Glassing, died in his sleep on Oct. 24. Camacho played with several other groups around town and is celebrated in outpourings from friends and fellow musicians for his uniquely explosive drumming and steadfast dedication to the Austin music community. A GoFundMe is gathering donations to support his family’s funeral costs. – Caroline Drew
Pat Green will become the second-ever artist to record a live album at the legendary Luckenbach Texas dance hall, preceded only by original outlaw artist Jerry Jeff Walker. On Nov. 7 and 8, the country songwriter, and lifelong fan of Walker’s, will follow in his footsteps, performing for fans and for posterity at the bar and venue. – CD
Austin Reggae Festival, founded in 1994 by Hugh Forrest and Pat Costigan, has been acquired by Reggae Rise Up, a Florida-born festival production company. The two-day festival will return to Auditorium Shores April 17-19 and continue to benefit the Central Texas Food Bank – an important sticking point for the festival’s founders. “If these new owners remained committed to keeping the event as a benefit for the Central Texas Food Bank, then this was absolutely the right move to make,” Forrest wrote in an email to the Chronicle. – CD
Free Week, Red River Cultural District’s annual admission-free, all-ages winter festival, returns for its 22nd year on January 9-10. Venues and schedules will be announced soon. – CD
South First Street is the latest Austin area to become an officially recognized economic and cultural district. The nearly mile-long stretch of vintage stores, art galleries, and food destinations, from the Texas School for the Deaf through Gillis Neighborhood Park, will now receive protective support through the Souly Austin program, which is “dedicated to creating and sustaining vibrant, culturally rich, and diverse neighborhood economic and cultural districts across Austin.” – CD
Mike Love and a gang of hired guns performed as the Beach Boys at Longhorn City Limits last Saturday. 84-year-old Love took center stage, and his younger touring members, including his son Christian, ensured not an oom-bop-bop was missed. Wearing sunglasses that doubled as an Animal Muppet mask, touring drummer Jon Bolton at times stole the show, taking lead vocals and twirling his sticks in the air during Wild Honey cut “Darlin’.” The crowd predictably hollered and clapped to hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “Don’t Worry Baby,” and “I Get Around.” Fans loudly supported the band in singing “Help Me, Rhonda” while the members lined across the stage, swaying in a line. Despite controversy over the singer’s decision to tour under the Beach Boys name despite not performing with the band’s remaining members, multigenerational audience members endured the rain to enjoy the legendary band’s enduring sunshine rock. – Flora Belle Farr
This article appears in November 7 • 2025.