Texas String Assembly canceled their performance at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s in-terminal South by Southwest showcase Monday when bassist Momin Ahmad was denied entrance by security.
The band was booked at the airport’s Saxon Pub/Asleep at the Wheel Stage at Gate 19 as part of the airport’s Spring Music Showcases.
Ahmad told the Chronicle that his name was flagged after showing his ID to Homeland Security. “Me and my family are on these lists because our names match the names of known terrorists or some shit like that,” he explained. “They were like, ‘Yeah, your name matches a known terrorist, so we can’t let you [in].’”
Ahmad is Indian, but says issues arise from his name, which is “very much Arabic.” He lives in New York, where he runs a startup company, and regularly flies to Austin to play with Texas String Assembly. “I’ve left the country three times this year,” Ahmad said. “I have TSA PreCheck, so it’s almost never an issue. So it was very strange to have that happen to this one particular instance.”
“I gave them my KTN, my known traveler number for TSA PreCheck, and that didn’t even work. It was very humiliating,” continued Ahmad, also the “Mo” behind Central Texas’ MOCO Music & Arts Festival (originally called MoFest).
In a statement to the Chronicle, a representative for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said that the federal vetting process for Ahmad was not able to be completed in time for Texas String Assembly’s 12:30pm set. Read their full statement below.
“AUS, like all United States airports, has to follow federal security standards that govern all areas of airport operations. Visitors must undergo a federally approved vetting process to be given unescorted access to the secure side of the airport. Unfortunately, for a member of a band scheduled to perform on March 11, the federal vetting process was not able to be completed in time for their performance. We hope to welcome the Texas String Assembly back to play a performance at the airport soon and, like the band, we’re deeply disappointed that their set today was canceled. We are committed to showcasing local artists and giving our customers a memorable and authentic Austin experience in ways that uphold the rigorous safety protocols that AUS is governed by.”
Ahmad said he wasn’t surprised by the encounter. After 9/11, he said his dad “would get taken to secret rooms and questioned for hours on end.” He noted a disconnect between his white friends, who were in “disbelief” over the experience, and his BIPOC friends, who were less perplexed.
“I think people maybe think that it doesn’t really happen much anymore,” he said. Ahmad was excited to perform in the unconventional venue. “I actually had someone flying in from out of town who was gonna come stop by when their plane landed to watch,” the musician said.
Texas String Assembly performs at a free Continental Club showcase this Wednesday and an official SXSW showcase at Zilker Brewing Co. this Saturday.
This article appears in March 8 • 2024.