The time has come again to vote in the Austin Music Poll!
For the 44th year, The Austin Chronicle celebrates the musicians and music industry professionals that make our city sing – with help from the community, of course. After consulting a select group of record store clerks, venue owners, bookers, and other local experts, we’ve compiled a list of finalists in 53 categories, from Band of the Year to Best Miscellaneous Instrument Player, to celebrate the most notable names of 2025.
Now it’s up to you to decide who receives an award. See the full list of nominees in this week’s paper, then make your selections at vote.austinchronicle.com by Monday, Jan. 19 – or come to the Chronicle’s Free Week showcase, Jan. 10 at the 13th Floor, to vote in person. No pressure to vote in all 53 categories, but if you vote in 25 or more, you’ll be entered to win a South by Southwest 2026 music wristband.
We’ll announce the winners in the Feb. 27 issue of the Chronicle. It all leads up to our annual Austin Music Awards, returning to Antone’s Nightclub on Sunday, March 1. As always, a portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit the SIMS Foundation, which provides mental health and substance use recovery services for Austin’s music community.
Stay tuned for ticket information and the performance lineup.
This article appears in January 2 • 2026.
