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The Front Festival 2026 ★ Independent Music Night

  • SWAN DIVE — RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT 615 Red River Street Austin, Texas, 78701 United States (map)

Day 02 — The Front Festival: Independent Music Night

HOT, TEXAS MUSIC.

On August 28, join us at Swan Dive for special talks and live sets, marking ten years of The Front Festival.

In partnership with the Red River Cultural District, this year’s lineup centers artists building their own stages and celebrates women and LGBTQ+ musicians shaping rap, R&B and experimental hip-hop.

Pre-sale passes are available now. Scroll for details.

 

DAY TWO: 2026 MUSIC SCHEDULE

6 to 9 PM — Community Workshops and Talks

In partnership with the Red River Cultural District, doors open for candid conversations and panels between on making music and building your own stages in Austin, Texas. The night’s schedule includes:

9 to 11 PM — Musical Acts and Guests

Back-to-back curated acts and performances spanning electronic music, rap, R&B and experimental hip-hop from Femme House DJ Majesty, Babi Doll and LYNN.

ALL NIGHT — Good Cocktails & Red River Energy

Enjoy festival cocktails by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and stop by the Future Front shop for merch and ways to support what we do year-round.

Grab a custom festival-official screenprinted tote or tee (feel free to bring your own!) by Austin-based artist and curator Leah Kearse. Walk up and down the Red River Cultural District for late-night bites, eats and bar hangs.

 

HOW TO ATTEND

One-day passes*for the Music Showcase are $20.

Weekend passes* for the entire festival are $50 to $100 and include access to both the Music and Film Showcases, as well as opening and closing pool parties. *All passes are free for Future Front members.

All donations throughout the festival will support the ten-year anniversary of our local arts and culture programs. We appreciate your support!

Reserve passes below.

*If you are a Future Front member, please provide your name at the door for entry or head to members.futurefronttexas.org or futurefrontmembership.squarespace.com to access member rates for event tickets, applications & other perks at anytime.

 

BEHIND THE FRONT FESTIVAL

The Front Fest is an end-of-summer festival, featuring independent music film and art in Austin, Texas.

Curated by Future Front, we put Texas women and LGBTQ+ artists at the front of our lineups. Returning for four days (August 27 to 30, 2026), this year’s festival will take place at iconic venues across the city, including The LINE Hotel Austin pool, the Red River Cultural District and The Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria. A portion of all ticket sales support Future Front’s programs, which have distributed $1M in creative commissions and honorariums since 2015.

Since 2016, the festival has seen more than 6,000 guests and showcased more than 550 women and LGBTQ+ artists, musicians, filmmakers and cultural leaders. Learn more at thefrontfest.com/why.

To become a sponsor in 2026, email hello@futurefronttexas.org.

 

PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE FRONT FESTIVAL

VENUE LOCATIONS + ACCESSIBILITY — The Front Festival will be held across three venues in 2025: The LINE Hotel Austin, Swan Dive in the Red River Cultural District and The Contemporary Austin—Laguna Gloria. All activities at all venues will occur on the ground floor and can be accessed by a wheelchair and other walking devices.

PARKING — We highly encourage utilizing rideshare or carpooling as there is limited self-parking available onsite. Both venues are easily accessible by Austin public transportation, too.

AVAILABLE LANGUAGES — ASL interpreters can be provided upon request. Si necesita traducción al español para participar en este evento, envíenos un correo electrónico a hello@futurefronttexas.org.

OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY GUIDELINES —

  • All Future Front staff, volunteers and guests will be required to practice mutual respect, as well as demonstrate an alignment with Future Front’s code of conduct and values: futurefronttexas.org/values.

  • Capacity is limited to reduce crowding of any kind and all events will be held in primarily outdoor and open-air spaces or have access to proper ventilations and well-maintained A/C systems.

  • At Future Front events, all guests are expected to follow Austin-local health and safety guidelines for gatherings, as well as practice consideration with the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and any other legal, mind-altering or dangerous substances and objects. This includes:

    • As Future Front strives to be a good neighbor, we also discourage the use of tobacco products on the property of nearby businesses and residences, to improve air quality, throughout our events.

      • Tobacco use and electronic smoking device use are not permitted at any time within Future Front properties and event spaces at least 15 ft from entrances, exits, operational windows, or ventilation system intake vents. 

      • Littering of tobacco-related products on the grounds or parking lots is also prohibited.

    • Concealed or open weapons and firearms (including handguns) are not allowed at any Future Front venues.

If you have a question about the building's accessibility or anticipate needing assistance, shoot us a line at hello@futurefronttexas.org. We're happy to help and will get back to you.

 

BEHIND FUTURE FRONT

HOMEGROWN IN AUSTIN, FUTURE FRONT IS AN AWARD-WINNING CULTURE SPACE AND EXHIBITION SERIES—WITH WOMEN AND LGBTQ+ CREATIVES AT THE FRONT.

As an arts and culture nonprofit, we produce two community-led exhibitions, The Front Market and The Front Festival. Beyond our flagship showcases, we host year-round shows and workshops at our creative space in historic East Austin, welcoming 20,000+ visitors per year.

Through these programs and collaborations, we invite the public to dream of a future where creativity, curiosity and intersectional design thrive in Texas—where we see ourselves and our cultures reflected in our communities. Learn more at futurefronttexas.org.

BEHIND RED RIVER CULTURAL DISTRICT

The Red River Cultural District is a creative community providing authentic Austin experiences through diverse local music, art and food for every fan and guest.

In an ever-changing Austin, the Red River Cultural District seeks to preserve and grow Red River’s creative, business, and music communities. 


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August 27

The Front Festival 2026 ★ Opening Night Swim

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August 29

The Front Festival 2026 ★ Independent Film Night