After news leaked last week that the Doritos stage behind Esther’s Follies had been deemed unsafe by the city to stage mega techno diva Lady Gaga, South by Southwest announced this morning that Stubb’s would host the chip brand’s headliner on Thursday, March 13. Time for the peanut gallery to go Gaga.
As has become standard for mondo SXSW headliners, tickets will be available through a lottery system. Platinum and Music badges, as well as Music and Artist wristbands, are eligible. Hopefuls are instructed to hit up the Convention Center Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-6pm, to register.
Considering that the 27-year-old New Yorker born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta last landed here in 2011 at a sold-out Frank Erwin Center, the prospect of Gaga in a 2,500-capacity venue seems perfect for the bacchanalia SXSW has become. Bruce Springsteen and Green Day packing the Moody, Prince blasting the former La Zona Rosa until all hours of the morning, and Justin Timberlake magically appearing the Copper Tank – what’s next?
Plenty remains our guess. There are still empty slots at the Austin Music Hall and perhaps even ACL Live at the Moody Theater, and we’re sure at least one huge name hasn’t yet been vetted for this year’s Music festival. Plus, there’s still the small matter of the Music keynote, which some had thought Gaga to be.
Speculation continues at least until the EDM lady sings.
This article appears in February 28 • 2014.
