While concert series returns, Austin musicians struggle

March 7, 2024

For this assignment, I was tasked with writing a story about how government bodies and public policy affect real people. I wrote about the Austin City Council's decision to co-sponsor beloved concert series Blues on the Green, initially canceled by ACL Radio due to a lack of funding, and what the concert's return meant for local musicians and citizens. I found an overwhelming demand by artists for the city further to support its music scene amidst rising living costs. For this story, I attended an Austin City Council meeting in person, communicated with the team of councilmember Natasha Harper-Madison and spoke with musicians to hear their opinions about the subject.