The Backyard is closing

I gotta admit, I’m a little sad. Austinist: Austin’s Backyard Ampitheater Announces Final Season

Direct Events and Backyard owner Tim O’Connor has announced the live oak amphitheater’s final season, calling it quits after sixteen seasons in the hill country.

The owner cited the massive Hill Country Galleria and other commercial expansion having “taken away from some of the venue’s magic” as the reasons for the closing. He’s not kidding. The last couple of times I went out there, the formerly serene hill country location was marred by bright blue and yellow Best Buy lights, as well as overall light pollution from nearby parking lots. Hopefully wherever they move it, it’ll be a little more insulated from strip malls.