Charley Crockett
South by Southwest, the annual summit of creative industries and popular culture that consumes downtown Austin for a week each March, is in full swing. And with a total participation count last year of 432,500 people—including 75,000 conference attendees—an emerging aspect of the conference week is the smattering of peripheral events springing up beyond the city limits that cater to out-of-town visitors by offering them a break from the crowds.
Luck Reunion has been putting on a one-day festival at Willie Nelson’s ranch in Spicewood since 2012, and this year Revival Experience joins the fray with this Wednesday’s one-day concert in Dripping Springs, featuring a lineup of Americana heavy-hitters curated by Mathew Logan Vasquez (most famous for his work with Delta Spirit). Headliners include Nathaniel Rateliff and Patty Griffin, and the Texas contingency includes Vasquez, Shakey Graves, Charley Crockett, the Texas Gentleman, Wild Child, Carson McHone, and others.
Held at Camp Lucy, a Hill Country event venue about 30 miles west of Austin, Revival promises an intimate experience with a capacity of 500 attendees, small stages, and “white-glove guest services and amenities.” Tickets start at $547 for day passes, while overnight lodging options—the ranch accommodates 80 in its high-end cabins—range up to about $10,000 for a cottage that sleeps 10.
We asked Inspire Productions, the Woodlands-based production company behind the new event, for their take on Revival Experience:
Shakey Graves
How’d you choose the location?
Upon finding Camp Lucy, a not-so-hidden gem located in Dripping Springs, we knew we had discovered the ideal location to debut our Revival Experience concept. Small enough to facilitate an intimate and exclusive experience, while boasting five-star lodging, dining, and amenities, this picturesque ranch-style resort immediately feels like home.
Why hold this during SXSW?
Our aim in hosting Revival during the chaotic weeks of SXSW was to offer a unique and luxurious escape for the thousands of visitors seeking a day of relief from the hustle. Camp Lucy offers just that, the perfect destination to unwind, relax, and, more importantly, catch some incredible live performances. In addition to providing an escape for SXSW attendees and Austin locals alike, we wanted to create an entirely unique offering for the thousands of music fans descending upon the city.
Do you think most attendees are people visiting Austin for SXSW or locals?
After releasing a limited amount of tickets to the public, we were pleasantly surprised to see both locals and out-of-towners taking notice of our diverse, yet focused lineup.
What distinguishes Revival Experience from other festivals?
Revival differs from your traditional music festival in nearly every way. In fact, we avoid referring to the event as a “festival” when “experience” seems to be a more natural fit for the occasion. Apart from the seldom seen micro-capacity of 500 total attendees (including bands, vendors, guests, and staff), we’re offering an all-inclusive experience that features a family-style banquet dinner, complimentary beverages, and a sense of community that can only be found in an environment void of the traditional fences and barriers seen in the current live event landscape.
Do you anticipate putting on another Revival Experience in 2020?
Revival Experience at Camp Lucy is only the beginning. After our inaugural year at Camp Lucy, we’re looking to expand Revival’s portfolio to include additional intimate experiences across all genres, while maintaining our dedication to expertly curated, small-capacity events in unique locations around Texas and beyond.
