Antone’s marquee, one of many venues for the Front Festival, displays the letters “The Front Festival 2025” out front, inviting music and film lovers for a weekend full of art across Austin. Local Austinites and those from out of town travel to Antone’s to hear different types of music, including R&B and Latin music.
Founded by journalism alumna Jane Hervey in 2016, the annual Front Festival spans four days and highlights creatives from the Austin area, bringing together local musicians and filmmakers. The festival took place from Thursday to Sunday at venues like Antone’s, Line Hotel and The Contemporary Austin. Prices from general one-day admission to the full weekend spanned $12 to $55. Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in a night swim, music and film showcases and a pool party.
“It really is a showcase of local talent and what makes being not just an artist in Austin, but an artist in Texas unique,” Hervey said. “We are started by women and LGBTQ+ artists and creative(s), and we’re still artist-led and community-led today.”
Hervey originally founded The Front Festival as a small non-profit, called Boss Babes, to support local women and queer artists.
“I organized my first music showcase when I was at UT,” Hervey said. “I did a lot of independent magazine writing, (and) I ran this publication called ‘Orange’ alongside some friends. Through doing magazine work, studying journalism and doing a lot of arts and culture writing, it got me into the festival world and curating.”
Operating on an open-call basis inspired artists came to Hervey to showcase their talents for a chance in the Front Festival spotlight. Hervey said this makes her festival unique among other festivals because it allows the community to get involved in the festival lineup. Chasity Jacobo, an attendee on night two, came to the event to introduce the festival to her friend from out of town.
“(The festival) is beautiful,” Jacobo said. “I’m a queer woman of color, so it’s such a safe space and such a liberating moment to see these queer folks getting to express and share their love because it’s so important, and we have so much love to give.”
The festival’s second night focused on musical talent, including Olivia Komahcheet, a multi-instrumentalist. Komahcheet started as a DJ for Future Front Texas in 2024 and decided to perform at this year’s festival.
“It brings a sense of camaraderie and comfortability within your own town,” Komahcheet said. “With social media, there’s sometimes a lot of separation that can breed within the times that we live in. (The festival is) a really great catalyst to bring people together (and) share and experience art.”
