Opinion: Eight predictions for Austin music and culture in 2026

It’s turned to 2026 and it’s already been something else. Stranger Things imploded and Das Trump decided he wanted to be in charge of Venezuela. But if there’s one thing we can count on in Austin, it’s this: the music will always be here. Comedy isn’t the hot new kid in Austin anymore—it’s just part of the cultural tapestry now.

Because it’s the beginning of the year, I wanted to try something new. I’m going to make some predictions about things I think will happen over the next twelve months. I’m not a swami. This is just my best shot as someone who’s stood next to enough sweaty, drunk guys with bad opinions at countless shows for over thirty years. I can’t do worse than them. Jesus. I feel old just typing that.

Here’s a quick one up top: either Oasis or Radiohead plays ACL this year. 

Views expressed here do not reflect those of The Cosmic Clash, only me, Robert Dean, resident hater.
Ed note: Mr. Dean is correct but hope he’s right about Oasis and/or Radiohead. 

1. We’ll See More Punk and Hardcore Bands

Texas politics are garbage. National politics are worse. People are mad. When times are horrible, people plug in and scream. That’s good news for rock n roll fans.

Nobody wants another Black Sabbath rip-off band like the flood we saw pre-COVID. Austin’s hardcore outfit Die Spitz selling out Stubb’s feels like a cultural signal though. Punk bills are getting stacked again. Hardcore’s crawling back out of the basement. Hopefully this is the year those bands step into the light.

2. Rock n Roll Is Back

As more people discover music through social media and even video games, they’re finding bands that never belonged to pop culture in the first place. Everything doesn’t have to sound like a Pepsi commercial—and the kids are figuring that out.

Every show I go to, the crowds are younger than they’ve been in years. More diverse, too. Always a good thing. Go grab some Fugazi and Sleater-Kinney records. Plug in. Start bands.

3. Some Red River Clubs Will Close… and Open

I don’t work for any institution. I don’t have inside info. This is pure speculation. But for some folks, the hens have come home to roost. It’s well known in Austin that independent venues are struggling. The second half of 2025 was not kind to some establishments. Hell, Cheer Ups took donations, sold and then un-sold all in the second of half of last year.

It’s going to be a weird year on Red River. Maybe someone reopens Headhunters. Stranger things have happened. The shirtless influencer bar? Absolute nightmare. I’ll see you never.

4. We’re Collectively Exhausted With “Small Plates”

Austin’s food scene sucks right now. Why does everyone feel the need to rip off Busty’s or Frazier’s? We don’t need any more menus with “sharables” on them.

Bring back working-class food that tastes good and doesn’t cost a week’s worth of groceries. No $18 burgers. Just say no to places like De Nada Cantina. Overpriced garbage. I’m predicting a diners revolt and more places advertising “dinner for under $20.” 

5. The Austin Tech Boom Is Over

It was nice while it lasted. But those insane salaries that inflated everything? The air’s leaking out. AI’s here. Quality remote work gigs have largely dried up. A lot of people who moved here during the work-from-home gold rush are already gone. Same with plenty of comedians who thought Austin was going to hand them a career.

The fallout is finally showing up in housing. Austin’s median rent dropped nearly 9% year-over-year in 2025, one of the steepest declines of any major U.S. city. Home prices cooled too, flattening or dipping after years of tech-fueled insanity instead of climbing forever like we were promised.

This isn’t some “fuck those people” rant. It’s just math. Tech drove the spike. Tech hiring in Austin slowed down. I don’t see a parade of new Googles lining up. Maybe—just maybe—rent comes all the way back to earth. One can hope.

6. SXSW: WTF

SXSW is like an abusive partner. They swear it’ll be different this time.

With music drastically cut down, what even is the festival now? I think it’s going to suck. Hope I’m wrong. An unnamed music venue GM told me: “Why would we bother booking with them [SXSW]? We make no money. Unofficial is the move. One hundred percent.” My take: SXSW licks its wounds following a particularly down year and realizes it screwed up big.
Ed note: That said, The Cosmic Clash will be announcing unofficial shows soon. Watch this space and our socials for details.

7. Levitation Only Gets Better

Levitation Festival at Palmer Events Center ruled. Ten-dollar parking. Smart stage rotation. Manageable audience size. Ideal location. Good weather, better vibes. No chaos.

Two wishes: more food options—the lines were brutal—and cleaner sound, which got muddy at times. Other than that? If Fun Fun Fun Fest had a spiritual child, this is it. 

8. The Right People Move Back

With rents dropping, maybe Austin becomes the affordable creative hub it should be again. Fingers crossed. Bartenders. Cooks. Stagehands. Everyone deserves to live here while earning a decent working-class income.

I want to live next door to a bunch of guys in a shitty death-metal band—not a dork in a vest who works in personal finance. Maybe that’s a fantasy wish rather than a prediction but the right intention is there. 

That’s what I’ve got. If you’ve got predictions, share this and tag us in your hot takes. I’m here for it.