Austin Record Show (October 2021)

sonnyboypaco

sonnyboypaco

Ikon Class
Joined
Apr 23, 2011
Hi guys, I'm planning on attending this event for the first time next October (Covid/travel restrictions for non-US citizens permitting, of course). Any recommendations (nearby hotels, pre-show action, thrift stores in the area with plenty of holy-grails to be had for peanuts,...) ? What should I expect garage-wise? I've read both rave reviews and nah-nothing.-to-write-home-about accounts from various crate-diggers. Thanks in advance.
 
I would say that "nearby" hotels are kind of pricey, and Austin hotels are kind of pricey to begin with. My buddy got 5 of us an air B&B for the May show (My first time going that route) and that was swanky. Other than that I had been staying at the Best Western on I-35 and Oltorf (which is also kinda pricey but less cracked out than the Howard Johnsons or La Quinta in that area... Best Western needs a room key to get through any of the interior doors so hotel shopping is kind of non-existant since the demise of the North Austin Plaza scene. There are some people with rooms selling records but you sort of have to know who and where in order to find them. Not like the old days.

A car is key in that city if you ask me. The parking lot at the Palmer is $8 a day but you get a couple ins and outs with that so... might be worth knowing that part. Unless you don't mind paying for an Uber or something. That adds up but allows you to have a refreshing cocktail or ten without dying... which is nice...

There are records there. If you reach out to Jason from the On The Road South blog (and sometimes here) he tends to have some fun 45s for sale. It is also the sort of convention where you can't judge a table by looking at it. You need to actually shop through all the records cause you never know what is there for you to find....

As far as the stores, I think that the locals have already gobbled up the grails for peanuts if there were ever any, but you never can tell!

The May show was a little sparse as far as a room full of dealers. Maybe 60% full? I think October might be way better. I was pleasantly surprised at how masked up everybody was in May. Hopefully that vibe persists as no sense dying for the ability to shop.

If you bring a wad of cash and approach the trip as a chance to buy some things, see some friends, eat some delicious foods... Should be a good time.

Also there tends to be no place to charge your phone (or plug in a portable) so make sure your electronics are at 100% battery when you start the morning.
 
Also, If you buy your tickets for early shopping online ahead of time, you can save a smidge of cash. (May it was $30 instead of $40 at the door)
I find that the early shopping is a very good idea. Assuming that you do not sleep late. Back in the day the tuesday/wednesday finds at the hotels were where all the heat was. These days early shopper means more as I have yet to crack the code of who is set up at what hotel etc...
 
Thanks a zillion, sir. I'll take heed of all your amazing tips, sounds like a promising weekend., I really appreciate your info. Tickets are not for sale yet according to the website but I'll definitely go for the early birds admission as soon as they are out. I've also bought from Jason in the past, nice chap with awesome stuff for sale.
 
Naw...probably just walking around for an hour looking for odds and ends like Jason C. and
the other locals. I'm planning on having a couple of small boxes of LPs and 45s at the ARC
show in Austin next month like I did last time. No quantity 'monsters' but a few nice items.
 
have there been any recent announcements about ARC? I was about to look at plane tickets a month ago, but then Covid started spiking there. sounded like the spring show was only about half full, this fall show seems like it will be even weaker dealer turnout. I haven't bought a plane ticket anyway.

of course, if you're looking for garage, you'd prob do just as well skipping the show and meeting up with you all and Jason
 
Keep watching the website for updates. Austin is one of the few places in the State of Texas that is still
pushing face-diaper compliance on everyone, so expect to be ordered to 'mask up' by total strangers
(even if you have already developed natural COVID-19 immunities or have been fully vaccinated).
 
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