Free Week in Austin is an annual event that takes place during the first week of January. A handful of the city’s independent live music venues waive cover charges and host an array of Austin’s best local artists. The idea is get Austinites a chance to see more Austin artists and provide the artists a chance to perform in front of large crowds. This year Austin Vida is presenting four Free Week showcases, including the mother of all kick off showcases headlined by Austin Vida favorite Maneja Beto at Swan Dive.
Swan Dive is one of the cooler new Red River live music district venues that has a beautiful throwback style atmosphere made for dancing. We knew once we secured the date for first event ever at Swan Dive, we had to create the ultimate Latin dance party showcase to kick off our series of Free Week showcases. We suggest drinking lots of water the day before and the day of to hydrate for this one. You’ll need it.
Opening the showcase will be Austin based Urban Tejano group Son de Rey. Their music is rooted in traditional Tejano music while blending elements of cumbia and salsa. Lead by their dynamic frontman Luis Miguel Ramírez, Son de Rey represent the new wave in Urban Tejano. Son de Rey perform at 9:30pm.
Following Son de Rey will be Manzanas Malas, formerly Los Bad Apples. Although the group is no stranger to Austin, the group is back from a short hiatus with a new sound they refer to as “Latin Slap Music” and new band members. The most significant change is the addition of new lead singer Victoria Acosta. Manzanas Malas are currently working on a new album and will be performing new music at our showcase. Manzanas Malas perform at 10:30pm.
Austin-based Latin Fusion band Este Vato will be co-headlining the showcase. Formed by the Reyna brothers, Rocky and Oscar, in 2008, Este Vato created a unique style of music that fuses together elements of rock and hip hop with traditional Latin rhythms. The group is currently performing in support of their latest release, The Morningside EP. Este Vato perform at 11:30pm.
Headlining our Swan Dive showcase are the incredible Maneja Beto. They are the emblematic band for the 21st century Latino and the pioneers of “Indie-en-Español” movement in Austin, Tejas. Their music is directly influenced by European indie bands like Elbow or Joy Division and crossbred with Cafe Tacvba. With lead singer Alex Chavez currently living out of state, the band only performs select showcases and events in Austin. Take advantage of the opportunity to see them live and for FREE. Maneja Beto perform at 12:30am.
Watch Maneja Beto perform their song “Ofrendas” at Mohawk below.
Swan Dive is located at 615 Red River. All ages are welcome. Doors open at 9:00pm. Admission is FREE. Visit the official event page on Facebook here and on Do512 here. This show is sponsored in part by the City of Austin, Pachanga Latino Music Fest. Media sponsors for this show are SATX Music and Red River Noise.