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Backyard memories
Widespread Panic at the Backyard
After Tim O’Connor announced Thursday that this season would be the last one for Bed, Backyard & Beyond, that 5,000-capacity venue in the middle of a shopping mall, I had a couple of thoughts. First, who would put such a gorgeous, rustic, intimate concert venue in the middle of a gaudy mall? Every time I’d go to a show at the Backyard in the past couple years, I’d wonder why O’Connor didn’t build it in the middle of nowhere, leaving the natural beauty of Texas to make it unique?
Apparently that’s what he plans to do with the new Backyard, which is expected to be built across highway 71 and west a couple blocks, on 37 acres protected from infringing developments.
Of course I’m joking about the Backyard being built as part of the mall, but newcomers must think that’s how it was. After all, it’s almost unconceivable that a township would allow such an asset to be ruined. What up, Bee Cave?
Gather ‘round kids and let me tell you about an outdoor concert hall, where you’d park in a pasture and drink beer under a full moon- for some reason the moon was always full - and gaze up at huge trees while the p.a. played Willie. And then someone like the Gipsy Kings or Widespread Panic would come out and tell you how cool it was to play a stage that wasn’t like all the others.
I was just trying to think of all the great shows I saw at the Backyard and was surprised that I couldn’t think of too many. I saw a great Patti Smith show there, plus Elvis Costello, Carole King, Paul Simon, Steve Earle and John Fogerty were really good. But none of them, except Patti, were the kind of shows you’d be yammering about in the car on the long drive home.
I think that was the problem- the long drive home. You want to practically crumble, so spent with affinity for the music, when you go to a magical concert. But with that long, snaking, 30-minute drive through West Lake Hills still on the things-to-do list, you couldn’t really let yourself go. Plus, security there was kind of a pain.
There was one show that stands out as the most memorable I’ve been to at the Backyard. I went out there in Aug. ‘96 to review Lyle Lovett for, like, the 10th time, and I wasn’t looking forward to it. Lovett’s first two albums are classics, but then he started moving things toward that big band sound, which was great at first, but after awhile it started to feel like shtick to me. And I just hated that song with the spoken intro about looking over your shoulder while you’re reading the paper. “Here I Am” would always set me off and I have to admit that on a couple of occasions I went overboard with negativity.
To make matters worse at the Backyard show, the sky had opened up and drenched everything and everybody for almost an hour. By 8 p.m., they still had not announced whether or not the show would go on. But Lovett came out, casually dressed, and said that with all the water onstage, it was just too dangerous to put on his full band electric show and that it would be rescheduled for three days later. Then, he reached down and got his guitar and started singing “If I Had a Boat.” Lyle played at least 40 minutes, solo acoustic, as a way of thanking everyone for coming all the way out there, only to be rained out. It was probably the best I’d seen Lovett since the first time, when he blew me (and headliner John Prine) away at the Paramount Theatre in 1985. It was loose and heartfelt and especially enchanting in that gorgeous, but wet, setting.
So, that’s my favorite Backyard moment; what’s yours?
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By David
April 26, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
I am sure that The Backyard once was a wonderful place to go to, and it is sad that the village allowed what it was to be destroyed by the corporate takeover surrounding it. However, I have several really unpleasant memories of going there as of late… getting a flat tire that needed to be replaced after driving over a sharp rock in the parking lot… waiting for what seemed like forever almost every single time trying to exit the parking lot out of one single exit… Missing half of the Smashing Pumpkins because no one could get into the parking lot. So long Backyard.
By Alice
April 27, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
I have had similiar experiences with the rain etc. My feet were stained black from the dye in the leather, and my shoes ruined. The other problem is for shorter folks, we can’t see because everyone stands up.(even in the front) It is impossible to stand on your tipee toes for an entire concert. I hope the new venue has seats and some cover to keep the rain off! I think more people would go if they could sit down, esp anyone with a physical disability.
By Brent
April 27, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
I have seen many concerts at the backyard including Widespread Panic on numerous occasions but David Bowie was the best concert I’ve seen at this fantastic venue.
Can’t wait to see the new facility!
By Dave
April 28, 2008 6:44 AM | Link to this
Seen LOTS of shows at the Backyard, and almost all were excellent. Best memories? It’s so hard to say. Several Widespread Panic concerts were sublime, back to the days of Mike Houser and including one of George McConnell’s earlist shows with the band that was documented on DVD. Seeing Yes at the Backyard was chilling - Great sound, and after so many years they were still in great form.
The only bad time I had at the Backyard was the rained-out Widespread Panic concert last year - the Backyard made no cancellation announcement and stayed open and selling food/beer long after the band had left.
By Mel
April 28, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
As a native Austinite since 1960, I’ve seen too many wonderful shows in Austin to count, and The Backyard has been a favorite venue since it opened. But by far the greatest live music experience of my life was Bowie at The Backyard. Unbelievable! It is almost as unbelievable that The Backyard has been destroyed by the senseless yuppification of the area. One of the greatest venues on the planet has been destroyed so that people can buy towels?? It gets harder to live here every day, but I have my memories of the Bowie show to hang on to.
By Beth
May 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
Oh yes! David Bowie for sure. Fantastic. I also enjoyed Paul Simon - I’ll never forget I won tickets on KGSR and they gave great seats! Great sound too.
By Marty Bender
May 1, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this
My best memory is the Pet Shop Boys concert. Had a great time! While it may have not been the best show I have ever seen, it is the only one that was general admission. I refuse to go to any reserved seating concert there due to the horribly tiny chairs they expect adults to sit in. I hope the new venue will have better seats or my first show there may be my last.
By Bill Harwell
May 1, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
In no particular order, these are my favorites from The Backyard: Richard Thompson and David Lindley…Elvis Costello and The Attractions…the sublime harmonies and melodies of The Everly Brothers…Lyle Lovett and His Large Band…explosive Jeff Beck show; had to be loudest ever at the venue..great!! Yes, the parking and traffic access were terrible.
By Gilbert V
May 5, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
to the people complaining about the the backyard not having seats and the weather.the whole point of the “the backyard” was to have a feel of being in your own backyard sitting on the grass or bare ground listening to some great music.why would u wear leather shoes or high heels to an outdoor concert? I never understood that.as an employee at the Backyard for about seven years i experienced a lot of great shows and i have to say i dont have an actual favorite but Bowie was up there with the great ones.mostly all my memories working there were wonderful and most of all i enjoyed the people who attended the shows.you guys were awesome,always keeping us on our toes and making us feel good about working at the greatest venue in Austin.I feel bad about the move but it is needed because the natural setting has been ruined by that shopping center.Tim will make it right again.i just hope there wont be any seats.
By Birk
May 8, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
i saw my first concert at the backyard, and it’s probably going to be the most memorable one i ever see. which was even more memorable, because i got to see my all time favorite band, so it was the icing on the cake. the Pumpkins show was great, and i thought it was spectacular.