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A deep brooding soul project from vocalist Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada, Black Pumas arrived like a bullet in 2018. The funky felines debuted in February and soon graduated to festivals from Oregon to France on the strength of single “Black Moon Rising.” The psych quintet rings in what should be a breakout 2019 alongside Hard Proof, a stampeding herd of honking horns and pounding polyrhythms inspired by Afrobeat deity Fela Kuti.

Energetic klezmer ensemble.

For better or worse, 2001 was an unforgettable time in American Music. With Napster getting stymied in federal court and CD sales still platinum as Justin Timberlake’s frosted tips, the music industry reveled in carefree opulence. As such, forth wave boy-bands hyperventilated teens, Destiny’s Child dominated the charts with “Bootylicious,” nu-metal jumped the shark with Crazy Town and Stain’d, and Britney Spears wore a Burmese python around her neck at MTV’s Video Music Awards.: On New Year’s Eve, Hotel Vegas beams us back to the fresh new millennium with NYE 2001, featuring Austin musicians portraying the year’s biggest stars. Flesh Lights singer/guitarist Max Vandever leads a Blink 182 set, Tinnarose channels Britney Spears, Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band tributes Radiohead, newlyweds Sara Houser (Löwin) and Taylor Wilkins (Otis the Destroyer) bash out the White Stripes, and ridiculously capable Magic Rockers of Texas frontman Jim Campo leads a parade of Nync and Backstreet Boys hits. The Strokes, Daft Punk, Outkast, Interpol, Destiny’s Child, Franz Ferdinand, No Doubt, and the Family Values Tour also get reanimated.: “It’s really about having fun,” Hotel Vegas co-owner Jason McNeely says of the venue’s era-specific NYE shows. “Musicians love it because it’s an opportunity for them to play together with people aren’t usually in bands with.”: McNeely, along with partner Brian Tweedy and marketing/promotions guru Alex Geiser, began the tradition in 2011 at Spider House’s 29th Street Ballroom with a 1977 tribute before moving to Hotel Vegas where they’ve time-machined 1984, 1994, 1968, 1979, 1989, and 1976. McNeely says the immensely popular — and often imitated — events evolved organically.: “We’re able to do this because we have a working relationship with the bands year-round,” he says. “Usually, we’ve already made a decision about the next year. So, after the bands play, we tell them what we’re doing next and they immediately tell us who they want to do.”

Punk rock NYE extravaganza.

Aud Lang Syne, Outlaw style.

This is how Austin does holiday lights. This yearslong tradition took a hiatus, but it's back this year and it's weirder than ever.

Join the Austin Swing Syndicate for an NYE party with an Old Hollywood glam theme. There will be a cash bar, apps & dessert, a selfie station, live music by Dan Walton & His Orchestra, and a champagne toast at midnight. Dance lessons start at 8pm before the band.

Enjoy breathtaking views of Downtown and Lady Bird Lake, and take in the fireworks from the very front row; plus sets from Walker Lukens and DJ Son Fjord, food from your favorite Austin restaurants, and an open bar.