Shannon B.
Yelp
Longtime Austinites will remember when Waterloo Park was just an urban green space next to a swampy creek within walking distance of the Texas Capitol, the University of Texas campus, and the bars of Red River, as well as being the site of some fabulous "Keep Austin Weird" annual events like Fun Fun Fest and Spamarama. It took more than a decade for the latest transformation into its current incarnation as a beautifully modern events space, which includes an awesome part-time music venue with around 35 planned shows per year, the Moody Amphitheater (MA).
Because MA is located in the middle of several congested areas of downtown, planning ahead for arrival and exit is critical. Using rideshare or public transportation is highly recommended since nearby parking is limited. Or, be like me and wear your running shoes so you can sprint away for a mile to escape the congestion and head toward Mopac after the show! The main entrance is on Red River close to 15th Street, but the drop-off area is a couple of blocks away near 12th and Red River.
Check out the venue FAQs and "Getting Here" page https://www.moodyamphitheater.com/general-information-faq before your event to rule out any bad surprises. For example, a clear bag policy is in effect, outside chairs and umbrellas are not allowed, but you can bring a towel or small blanket for the lawn if you like. You *can* bring in one factory-sealed water bottle per person but no other food or drink. There is no exit/re-entry, no smoking, no vaping, and no concealed carry allowed.
Read Steve W.'s straight-talk review for pics of the concessions menus. Prices are steep and fairly similar to most venues hosting major touring acts in town. I'm talking $12 for a 16 oz beer, so maybe think about eating and drinking before arriving for the show.
This is Texas, meaning it is going to get hot, humid, and buggy in an outdoor park for at least 9 months of the year. Plan as if you are going to a festival. Dress for comfort in the heat, wear shades and sunscreen, bring a hat, and maybe pack a DEET wipe just in case. My small, clear concert purse is basically a survival kit for assorted outdoor problems that I don't want to ruin my fun.
If you're like me and have reached the stage in life where a reserved seat is essential, you're going to want to be on the Waterloo Greenway https://waterloogreenway.org/events/ mailing list so that you get first notice of upcoming concerts and can take advantage of presales before the scalpers come it to buy out everything on the "official" public sale day. Other advantages to snag decent tickets include cardholder presales for Amex and Citi members, LiveNation mailing list, and of course, fan club membership for your artists of interest. Don't wait too long to buy, as Ticketmaster now does "demand pricing" meaning the price of tickets will increase as the event date approaches if the act is popular (or just won a Grammy). I've seen the price of tickets almost tripled from the presale date to the week before a show.
One more tip for those who require a "premium" experience... At MA, anyone can purchase (at least until sold out) an add-on called "Level Up" to allow access to a couple of VIP areas (Tito's Terrace and PNC Lounge, with or without VIP parking nearby) with extra food and drink options, comfortable seating, air-conditioned bathrooms, and such. You must purchase a regular event ticket to gain entry, but the add-on gets you a wristband for access to these special areas and reserved parking (if you choose). To find these options, search for "Level Up at Moody Amphitheater" on Ticketmaster and then select from the available options for your concert date. Current prices range from $30 - $70 per person.
Attending a concert in Austin these days can be a bit confusing since we now have at least 3 different venues with the generous Moody family's name. Here's how to keep it straight:
- Moody Amphitheater (MA) is an open-air venue in a public park that is generally available to the community most days of the week except when ticketed events like concerts and festivals are going on. Capacity is around 5,000+ people, including a general admission lawn area.
- Moody Theater (aka ACL Live) is home to Austin City Limits (the venerated PBS music program) and is located downtown next to the W hotel and the big Willie Nelson statue. The indoor capacity is around 2,700 people and about 100 shows are hosted per year since its opening in 2011.
- Moody Center is the largest and newest indoor music venue in town, located on the UT campus, and built to replace the retired Frank Erwin Center (aka "The Drum"). It opens this month in April 2022. Capacity is around 15,000+ people depending on configuration, and this venue was specifically designed to showcase a superior concert experience in the "live music capital of the world," although it is also home to several UT sports teams.
Ticketmaster handles most concert ticket sales for all 3 of these venues