Antone’s will bring its year-long 50th anniversary festivities to SXSW next month, celebrating the rich history and enduring spirit of a club that “helped put the live music capital of the world on the map” (Austin American Statesman). Events will spotlight a music community that turned Antone’s into “the birthplace of a blues revival” (NPR), plus the trailblazing artists who carry that legacy into the present and future. To kick things off, an all-star panel will discuss these topics and more on Thursday, March 13, during SXSW’s official ‘Antone’s: 50 Years of the Blues’ event. The celebrations will then continue with live music at the club itself, at Antone’s first-ever day party and official showcase on Friday, March 14.

Antone’s: 50 Years Of The Blues

Official SXSW Panel, Thursday, March 13 at 1PM 

Panelists: Joe Nick Patoski, C.J. Chenier, John Primer, Eve Monsees

Founded by Clifford Antone, the club opened its doors in 1975 with a performance by zydeco king Clifton Chenier and soon became a ‘home away from home’ for Muddy Waters, along with a Mount Rushmore of legendary blues artists (including Albert King, Buddy Guy and B.B. King). Among those on the panel discussing Antone’s 50th will be C.J. Chenier (who continues his father Clifton’s legacy with the Red Hot Louisiana Band) and Muddy Waters’ legendary guitarist John Primer. They’ll be joined by Eve Monsees, co-owner of Antone’s Record Shop and a driving force (alongside her childhood friend Gary Clark Jr.) behind the club’s thriving next generation - for a conversation moderated by renowned Texas music scholar Joe Nick Patoski. More information HERE.

Antone’s 50th Anniversary x Austin Blues Festival: SXSW Day Party and Official Showcase 

Friday, March 14 at 12PM-6PM and 7PM-1AM 

Presented by Clifford Antone Foundation

Sponsored by Guayakí Yerba Mate

Day Party performers: Jackie Venson, Gypsy Mitchell, Eve Monsees & Mike Buck, Peterson Brothers Band, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas

Official Showcase performers: C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Suzanne Santo, John Primer & the Real Deal Blues Band, Ian Moore & The Rumble

With this lineup, Antone’s continues its long-standing tradition of showcasing the best in Texas music, a legacy that includes bolstering the careers of artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Doug Sahm – while also celebrating Clifford Antone’s deep love for Louisiana music, a passion he discovered while road-tripping across the state’s juke joints during his youth in nearby Port Arthur, Texas. More information HERE. 

In addition to the celebrations at SXSW, the coming weeks will see Antone’s announce their 50th anniversary boxed set - which will be released this summer in collaboration with New West Records. That collection will include rare live recordings from throughout the club's history, out-of-print material from the Antone's Records catalog, and a double LP of 18 brand-new recordings from Antone's staples across generations. Antone’s will also open its first satellite location at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport this month (including a performance stage) - a testament to its place as the leading ambassador for Austin’s rich live music culture and history. 

Additional 50th anniversary celebrations to come include:

* This year's Austin Blues Festival, taking place April 26 and 27, will celebrate Antone's 50th, including a series of all-star jams with musicians essential to the club's past, present and future.

* Antone's will head to New York City this June for a curated day of music as part of Lincoln Center's Summer For The City series, which will include performances from friends and all-stars on one of the world's most prestigious stages.

* The club will realize founder Clifford Antone's lifelong dream by opening a permanent Blues Museum upstairs at Antone's this year, with items donated from Billy F Gibbons (of ZZ Top), Willie Dixon, Susan Antone, Clifton Chenier and many more.

* Special shows at the club throughout the month of July, including the official anniversary party on July 15 (the original date of the very first gig hosted at Antone's in 1975).

* The release of an extended and updated version of the documentary "Antone's: Home Of The Blues" (originally released for the club's 30th anniversary in 2005, shortly before Clifford's passing) and Susan Antone's "Picture The Blues" photobook (originally released for the club's 10th anniversary in 1985).

For more information about Antone’s 50th anniversary festivities at SXSW visit: https://antonesnightclub.com/