Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) relaunched its in-terminal music program with AUS Live & Instrumental, featuring new safety protocols. The goal of the program is to provide passengers with local entertainment while in the terminal and to continue providing paid gigs for the Austin creative community during a challenging time.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my experience playing solo piano at AUS recently,” said Zack Morgan, a local keyboardist. “First and foremost, it felt safe and well-thought-out. On top of that, I was able to make good money and bring some smiles to the travelers who are so accustomed to live music at our airport. I was also able to live stream my performance and share the music even further.”
New procedures for AUS Live & Instrumental include:
- Featuring instrumental-only music, and requiring musicians to wear masks throughout the duration of their performance,
- Featuring either solo acts or duos who maintain a safe distance,
- AUS staff sterilizing equipment pre- and post-performance,
- New safety checklists for performers,
- A virtual tip jar, displaying a link to musicians’ webpages and preferred virtual payment method, and
- Stanchioned-off performance areas and plexiglass screens surrounding stages.
AUS has one of the most robust airport music programs in the country, which exclusively features local Austin artists. Prior to COVID-19, AUS Music Coordinator Michael Pennock was booking 30 live performances every week.
“With the music industry being decimated by COVID-19, this is our first step forward to bringing live music back at AUS and supporting local musicians,” said Pennock. “Music brings people joy and will help bring some small sense of normalcy back. We all need that right now.”
Earlier this year, AUS hosted two Jetstream Music Festivals with other airports across North America. Jetstream Fest was a multi-hour, live stream concert hosted on Facebook Live. The Festivals received over 69,000 views combined, and over 35 airports participated.
AUS anticipates music performances to return to the Asleep at the Wheel main stage and restaurant locations throughout the Barbara Jordan Terminal soon, with new COVID-19 safety protocols in place to protect performers and passengers.
