The Backyard
Austin, TX 78736
Phone: (512) 263-4146
- Cross Street:
- Between 620 and 2244
- Best of Citysearch:
- Live Music Venue 2005
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
Editorial Review for The Backyard – by Citysearch Editors
In Short
This open-air amphitheater, with a capacity of 3,200 for seated shows and 4,500 for general admission, has hosted such notables as Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Willie Nelson, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam, Tracy Chapman and the entire cast of the Reggae Sun Splash. Neighbor Willie Nelson is also good for at least two shows a year. It's the sister venue--or, in this case, the country cousin--to both the Austin Music Hall and La Zona Rosa.
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Insider Tips
Know Before You GoLocated just far enough out on Highway 71 to be considered a leisurely Hill Country drive ("four songs from downtown"), allow time to enjoy the scenery.
Save TimeTickets may only be bought ahead of time over the phone or at local spots like Waterloo Records. The box office is only open for Will Call tickets the day of the show.
ParkingAllow an extra 30 minutes on the way in and out for parking delays.
User Reviews for The Backyard
06/07/2007 Posted by the9962
I bought FRONT ROW tickets for my husband and me to see the March 17, 2007 performance of Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, and Asleep at the Wheel. All I have to say is, we will NEVER return to the Backyard. From years ago, we knew parking at Backyard events is a joke, so we factored that in to our plans, figuring the tacky addition of cheesy, strip shopping centers behind the place would only magnify the problem. (Still, parking was a half hour in, and an hour and a half out: You would think the Backyard would care.) But after standing in line, enduring the drunks behind us constantly stumbling into our backsides, we were shocked to discover that we had to be FRISKED in order to enter the venue. I've been to plenty of concerts/events (including post 9/11), and I have NEVER been frisked - they don't even do that at the airport (unless you're some kind of suspect or you get stuck in a random search). I bought tickets for what was supposed to be a "fun" evening, but we got frisked quicker than you can say "arrest warrant." After that needless embarrassment, we finally got to our seats, only to discover the Backyard had hired SPINELESS to watch the left side of the area (as you're facing the stage) between the front row and the stage: There was a constant parade of pandering idiots wandering in front of us, snapping pictures, lingering, and acting as if they were the performers' best buddies. WE COULDN'T WATCH THE SHOW! What did our "usher" do? Nothing! In addition, there were two middle-aged, extremely hyperactive women sitting on my right, calling all their friends on their mobiles, yakking about how "great" the show is, and "can you just hear them?!" Forget asking spineless to intervene - it became completely useless to try to watch or enjoy the show. The Backyard ruined what was to have been a surprise anniversary gift for my husband! Well, no surprise here, folks: Just like those "made in China" box stores behind them, all the Backyard wants is your money.
Pros: None
Cons: Everything - don't bother
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful
05/11/2007 Posted by apefish
The Backyard is a great venue to see bands. I just recently saw M o d e s t M o u s e there and it was a good time. The staff is friendly, the atmosphere is beautiful, with many Live Oak trees that add to the "enchanted forest" feel of the place. Despite the fact that a HUGE shopping mall now surrounds the entire venue(as of 2006?) The Backyard still feels like a remote place in the Texas Hill Country. With that said, this entire experience is ruined by the horrendous parking situation. Getting thousands of cars in and out of the parking area via a 2 lane dirt road is a maddening experience. It took 30 minutes to get in to park, and over an hour to get out. Not worth it.
Pros: Great venue
Cons: Terrible parking situation
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