Really sad how such a wonderful place can be destroyed by retail shopping.

here's the official press release...DIRECT EVENTS ANNOUNCES FINAL SEASON FORTHE
BACKYARD LIVE OAK AMPHITHEATREAUSTIN, Texas ­– April 22, 2008 ­– Tim O’Connor,
owner of Direct Events and the Backyard, announced that the 16th season will be
the final full season for Austin's acclaimed live oak amphitheatre, The
Backyard.“I built the Backyard to produce events in an atmosphere that signifies
Austin. When the venue opened we were in the middle of the Hill Country and it
was a true experience," said Tim O'Connor, President/CEO Direct Events. "The
Shops at The Galleria development that now surrounds the Backyard has taken away
from some of the venue's magic over the last few years.”The Backyard, located at
71 W and RR620, opened it doors in 1993 and has hosted over 1 million patrons
and 400 acts including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Norah Jones, Beck, Modest
Mouse, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Sheryl Crow, The Gipsy Kings, Lyle
Lovett, Coldplay, Widespread Panic, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, Chris Issak,
Alanis Morissette, Elvis Costello, Smashing Pumpkins, Nickelback and
more.Creating a natural, comfortable, and unique to Austin environment for the
Backyard performers and patrons has been of highest importance to Direct Events
since the venue's opening.“Set in a natural amphitheatre with sturdy live oaks
shading it, the place can be utterly magical on a warm, breezy night, and is a
delightful addition to the Austin Music venue scene. Within it’s confines are
green lawns, fishponds, and a multi-tier patio, and the sound system is far and
away the city’s best, achieving clarity and presence at volumes that are
comfortable to even the most sensitive ears (at a recent Leonard Cohen show, you
could even hear the cicadas chirping as the music played – magical). Right at
birth, it’s a classic Austin venue, and even the short drive out from town adds
to the charm of attending shows there,” said Austin Chronicle, Best Open Air
Music ’93.This may be the final season for the Backyard, but Direct Events is
not closing the door on this live music staple. Direct Events has proposed a
plan to the City of Bee Cave, and is working to secure their approval to develop
a new Backyard in a new location that will not compromise the atmosphere of the
venue."I have had the unique privilege to co-produce, with Direct Events, the
majority of shows that have graced the Backyard stage since its inception. I
have enjoyed the relationship with this facility and it's operator immensely. I
was always proud to be affiliated in some small way with the Backyard. While the
Backyard will soon be its own chapter in Austin musical history, Tim O'Connor is
a visionary, and I am confident that his next facility will be his masterpiece
that we can all be very proud of," stated Bob Roux, Regional President for Live
Nation.