Live music preview: Been There 3 for The Other Ones Foundation levels up at Radio East November 2
With Rocktober working around the clock to exhaust live music fans this month with ACL Festival, F1 Grand Prix concerts and Levitation Festival it wouldn’t be a surprise to learn that unhoused charity, The Other Ones Foundation is entering year three of their annual event, Been There which launched with performances by Grupo Fantasma and the once red-hot Nané (whose incendiary bandleader tragically passed away not long after) played the inaugural event at Camp Esperanza which is also where The Other Ones Foundation is located, providing housing, job training, meal service and more to unhoused individuals. Many staffers are musicians which makes this organization particularly beloved amid the sea of NPOs with Austin’s music community.
This year’s event, Been There 3 moves to Radio East‘s more accessible outdoor venue space on Nov 2, while the lineup upgrades to something worthy of an annual event fans may opt to travel to Austin for with headliners Galactic and Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe along some of Austin’s best musical acts on the bill; Carolyn Wonderland, Chali 2Na, Deadeye, Grandmaster and Riders Against the Storm. It’s a full day of amazing live music programming versus an evening event like the previous events. Tickets can be purchased here.
The event has been tied to a film, Home Free. Inspired by their real-life experiences with their unhoused neighbors while at the University of Texas at Austin in the 90s, filmmakers Aaron Brown (Onion Creek Productions) and Lenny Barszap (Entertaining Entertainment) created HOME FREE, an empowering social impact film informed by their captivating true story that is disguised as a coming-of-age college comedy (now screening in Austin with a Q&A every Friday through November 8 at Eastside Cinema). They ultimately knew they wanted to do even more to help, so they joined together with TOOF to host the first “Been There” festival in 2021. The first year was open only to residents and supporters of The Esperanza Community. It was an absolute success, featuring GRAMMY Award-winning musicians performing alongside residents of the community.
“I’ve always been involved in the music scene and the music industry, and I’ve always loved people who live life on the fringes. The Other Ones is named after a Grateful Dead song, but it’s also an homage to people who’ve been overlooked by society,” says Chris Baker, Founder and Executive Director of TOOF. “I got into the field of homelessness services because I love humans, and believe that housing and dignity are human rights. Being able to harness the power of music to do good for the vulnerable people in our community is a truly amazing opportunity for us all. The intersection of humanitarianism and art is a beautiful place to find yourself, and I hope people will choose to join us for Been There 3.”
If founding Executive Director Chris Baker’s plea to join this event next month hasn’t persuaded you, perhaps this incredible lineup will? Longtime jam act, Galactic who hail from New Orleans have in the past performed in Austin around Halloween, so this booking isn’t unusual but perhaps overdue as Galactic haven’t come to Austin as frequently as in the past, post-Pandemic. The funk and soul musical collective that centers around rotating lead vocalists, a crack band and featured saxophone work are truly a Louisiana treasure we’ve admired from afar. If any city is a sister to Austin, it’s NOLA with its myriad musicians, musical culture and laid-back style. It makes perfect sense to welcome Galactic back to town for Been There 3.
Add Saxophonist Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe to the mix and fans are left with top billing that couldn’t compliment each other better honestly. Denson is a multi-instrumentalist who plays sax, flute and sings with an emphasis on funk and soul. Hailing from Southern California, he’s a founding member of the Greyboy All-stars, toured with Lenny Kravitz and has recorded with a bevy of acts, including Slightly Stooped, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Galactic drummer, Stanton Moore. This one-two punch alone, is worth the price of admission but there’s lots more down the bill.
The variety of genres is welcome from the local side of the talent roster. Two great hip-hop acts in Chali 2Na and Riders Against the Storm are playing, which represent a positive bent to hip-hop with high energy shows and uplifting, empowering lyrics that elevate each performance.. Carolyn Wonderland brings her Blues rock and career spanning pedigree which includes a stint as lead guitarist for John Mayall’s Blues Breakers (UK). She’s truly a guitar genius who has been long underrated. Jazz-inspired, indie act, Grandmaster appeals to all ages but particularly the younger, hipster set that are leading the newest generation of musicians in Austin. All these acts regularly headline their own shows, drawing a loyal fan base from around Central Texas.
We know you’re tired and Rocktober might be kicking your ass a bit, but this event’s talent is too good to pass up. We’ll be splitting time November 2 at Been There 3 and Levitation Festival but we’ll be there. How could we miss this amazing conglomeration of musical acts?
Featured photo courtesy of The Other Ones Foundation
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