LUCKTOBERFEST LIGHTS UP LUCK, TXAN INCLUSIVE CELEBRATION OF CULTURE AND COMMUNITY
With unforgettable performances from Orville Peck, Paul Cauthen’s Big Velvet Revue, Tanya Tucker, Shinyribs, Los Lobos, Jake Wesley Rogers, Alex Meixner and more
Orville Peck Credit: Brittany Halberg
Austin, TX - October 30, 2022: This past weekend, Luck Presents’Lucktoberfest took over Willie Nelson’s Luck, TX for an incredible, culturally-rich weekend of unique music, food, and artisan experiences that celebrated the diverse, amazing people that call Texas home. It was a weekend of non-stop connection, inclusivity, and experiences at a party that only Luck Presents could create. The three-day festival saw show-stopping performances from Orville Peck, Paul Cauthen’s Big Velvet Revue, Tanya Tucker, Shinyribs, Los Lobos, Alex Meixner, Jake Wesley Rogers, and more, with plenty of surprise guests taking the stage.
Paul Cauthen’s Big Velvet Revue Left to Right: Kirby Brown, Paul Cauthen, David Ramirez, and The Kernal Credit: Brooke Hamilton + Amanda Cooper
On Friday, Ryan Quiet, Los Lobos and The Kernal all took the stage ahead of a spectacular performance of Paul Cauthen’s Big Velvet Revue where he was joined by special guests David Ramirez and Kirby Brown.
The Beer Hall tent lived up to its name, offering patrons the option of a pint or pitcher from Real Ale, Deep Ellum, Lagunitas, Thirsty Planet, and Yuengling. Music wasn't the weekend's only attraction. Guests of all ages were treated to a midway carnival with classic games and Luck-themed prizes. In addition, local creative collective Preacher took over the chapel for a recorded confessional activation, inviting attendees to anonymously broadcast their deepest, funniest, or weirdest thoughts - to the crowd throughout the day.
Jason Scott kicked things off for Saturday’s Outlaw Masquerade with Jonathan Terrell and Jake Wesley Rodgers both taking the stage. Saturday was a fashionable affair, with fans fully decked out for the occasion. The Desert Roses Southern Glamour Fashion Showbrought the runway to the center of Luck, with outstanding queer southern glam looks and more from central Texas designers NICÓ, This is Sloane, DASHE, FLAMER, and Alive By Benjamin, and TheJigglewatts Burlesque took over the town with an extravagant burlesque show. The love amongst the community was palpable as festival goers embraced the genre-bending, binary-defying art, fashion, and performances of the weekend.
In addition to the themed flair, many attendees dressed in elaborate Halloween costumes - and were able to enter a costume contest to win a $400 Southwest Airlines gift card. Guests could also top off their look at Tecovas' braid bar and shoe shine station. Headliners Orville Peck and Tanya Tucker ended the night with two show-stopping sets under the glow of the iconic Luck sign. While Tucker surprised the audience with appearances from Country hero Sonny Throckmorton and Craig Dillingham, Peck made his biggest (littlest) fan’s night with an onstage greeting.
Tanya Tucker | Credit: Brittany Halberg
Throughout the weekend guests enjoyed beverages from Tito's Vodka, White Claw, TX Whiskey, Bev, Epic Western, Topo Chico, Sap's Original, Liquid Death, and Guayki.
The weekend came to an epic conclusion on Sunday for ‘Prost, Y’all!’, a night of German-influenced entertainment celebrating cherished Bavarian traditions from everything to polka to the stein holding competition, hosted by New Braunfels' Krause's Beer Hall, celebrating the end of October in true Bavarian fashion. Participants competed for VIP tickets to Luck Reunion 2023. Music was of course the centerpiece with performances from Alpenmusikanten, the Walburg Boys, Yodel Blitz, Tanzenfest and Alex Meixner, who was joined by friends Walt & Tina Wilkins and Sunny Sauceda for a very special set. Shinyribs pulled out all of the dance moves for their Southern soul headlining set, with a crowd pleasing performance of hits.
Orville Peck with Fan | Credit: Brooks Burris
$1 from every ticket sold went directly to the Central Texas Food Bank through the Luck Family Foundation. Now in its 40th year of serving those in need, the mission of Central Texas Food Bank is to nourish hungry people and lead the community in the fight against hunger. The Food Bank provides food and grocery products through a network of nearly 300 Partner Agencies and nutrition programs, serving nearly 60,000 people every week.
Renowned as one of the most exciting, singular musical experiences of the calendar year amongst artists and fans alike, Luck Reunion will return to Willie Nelson’s “Luck, TX” on Thursday, March 16th, 2023 for it’s 11th year. Tickets will go on sale to the public soon.
Jake Wesley Rogers | Credit: Brittany Halberg
Desert Roses Fashion Show | Credit: Brittany Halberg
Jake Wesley Rogers Interview | Austin City Limits
Interview by: Wesley Smoot
Jake Wesley Rogers. If you don’t know the name already, you will. He’s an absolute powerhouse— singer, songwriter, showman, and a master on the keys. At 25 years old, he’s done Madison Square Garden (opening for Panic at the Disco), has been a musical guest on The Ellen Show, and currently has a track featured on the major Universal Pictures rom-com, Bros. His lyrics transcend generations with a kind of depth you’d find hard to believe is coming from someone his age.
I got the chance to chat with Jake Wesley Rogers at Austin City Limits.
Pinkies up, now sip!
Jake Wesley Rogers by Chad Wadsworth for ACL Fest 2022
Weslo: Howdy ya’ll, this is Wesley Smoot (Weslo) with Unleashed LGBTQ, in Austin, Texas at ACL– today I get the chance to sit down with Jake Wesley Rogers. How’s your ACL?
JWR: Hey! It’s very hot. Literally. But it has been so much fun.
Weslo: So freakin’ hot. Texas heat!
Well the crowd obviously loved your performance. What are your thoughts on Texas, besides the heat?
JWR: Well, I'm from Missouri, so I understand what it means to come from a complicated place, but I’m always astounded by how much love there is, even in a state where there is a lot of bullshit going on.
Weslo: It’s a big state with lots of fabulous folks, I’m glad you get to see there are all kinds, plenty of like minded people.
JWR: Of course. You sometimes have to remind yourself, we’re everywhere and we’re not going anywhere. So, I’ll always keep coming back.
Weslo: Please do.
I have to talk to you about the movie Bros with Billy Eichner. One of my favorites of the year, not just because it’s a gay film, but it’s just so well done. You have a song featured in the movie— your single Hindsight. What’s it like having your music on such a groundbreaking film?
JWR: It was mind-blowing to hear my song in a movie theater and be part of such a historical film. I would actually call it a surreal moment for me.
Jake Wesley Rogers & Wesley Smoot in Media Tent at Austin City Limits 2022
Weslo: So you’re on the cover of The Advocate this month, it seems like you’re well on your way to becoming a LGBTQ+ icon. How does that feel?
JWR: I don’t want to speak for anyone. I can only tell my story, I do that on purpose. Tony Morrison says “The function of freedom is to free someone else” so I think if I show up, even if I’m not feeling confident, tell my story, the hope is to allow anyone to feel free to be themselves, because that makes everything better.
Weslo: I agree 100%.
I know some LGBTQ+ artists might not care to be labeled or pigeon-holed as a gay artist, I’m sure with you, there’s a lot of crossover with other demographics.. I mean, you have been opening for Panic at the Disco. Have you seen your fanbase grow with the non-LGBTQ+ audiences?
JWR: I'm always surprised how many straight people are at my shows. I think my favorite thing about being queer is that it shows very explicit on the outside. But we all feel different, excluded, even if only to some degree. I think we’re the superheroes that have no choice but to show it.
Weslo: Well you really go into that with your song Pluto. Which I love by the way.
JWR: Yes! Exactly, and thank you. That is very much what the song is about, using Pluto as a metaphor, as the outsider. And just giving everyone permission to embrace it because I think that’s how things change, when everybody realizes we have this tendency to hide something. It’s the queer life. We’re accustom to it and learn it at such an early age. But not only us, everyone feels that on some level, we’re just the lucky, fabulous, beautiful ones that get to show others that it's ok. It’s ok to be free.
Austin City Limits 2022 | Jake Wesley Rogers | Photo Credit: Jakob Wandel
Weslo: Inclusion is incredibly important. I think ACL, it’s organizers, and bookers do an amazing job bringing in queer artists. I have been able to see so many over the last few years. Did you get to see anyone here? Lil Nas X? Boy George, Izzy Heltai?...
JWR: Sadly, because of the tour, no. We have been doing red-eyes to come in and make these events. Usually I come in, play, and go to bed (laughing). So I’m sad I missed Lil Nas X but hoping to catch Kacey Musgraves tonight.
Weslo: That will be a great show.
You covered I’ll Stand by You by The Pretenders. You did it magnificently. It has millions of streams… Do you plan on covering any other artists' songs in the future?
JWR: That’s a great question.
We have been covering Welcome to the Black Parade (My Chemical Romance) on the tour. But we’ll have to see. I enjoy singing so many… I’ll keep you posted.
Austin City Limits 2022 | Jake Wesley Rogers | Photo Credit: Jakob Wandel
Weslo: Your outfits for live shows are Everything! What inspires you in picking your wardrobe? Are you inspired by other artists?
JWR: This outfit I’m wearing now is like a red dandy number inspired by the movie The Velvet Goldmine, it’s like an unofficial David Bowie bio pic and there’s this one scene where a character is wearing this dandy outfit — I did a photo shoot for Vogue, they had me wear something similar, and when i wore it, I felt I had been there before. So I wanted to make something, something to recreate that feeling.
But you know before every tour, I think about what I want to wear, feel like, and present to my fabulous audience. But yes, I’m proud to say all the costumes from my tours are made by queer designers— which is always very exciting to me. I love a great collaboration between creative minds.
Austin City Limits 2022 | Jake Wesley Rogers | Photo Credit: Jakob Wandel
Weslo: I love that.
Many queer artists I see perform to tracks in the background. You not only have a full band but you are also slaying it on the piano. Has that always been the vision?
JWR: When it comes to music, for me personally, it’s always been me and the piano. I don’t think that will ever change. As far as having a band to perform with, it just feels right to me.
Weslo: Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk with us. You’re an amazing talent and we wish you all the success. You have our full support.
JWR: Thank you for that, I appreciate you as well.
Make sure to check out Jake Wesley Roger’s new EP LOVE
The EP includes two brand new songs “My Mistake” and “Call It Love” along with previous releases, “Modern Love,” “Lavender Forever,” which he performed on ELLEN, “Dark Bird” and the most recent “Hindsight” from the Billy Eichner film Bros.
Jake Wesley Rogers to Perform at Austin City Limits
Rising superstar Jake Wesley Rogers is set to play ACL both weekends with sets Sunday 10/9 and 10/16 @ 1:15pm on the Miller Lite Stage. Attendees will not want to miss this electrifying, live show.
With the release of new song “Hindsight” for gay rom-com film, BROS this past Friday, major buzz is surrounding up-and-coming queer artist and advocate Jake Wesley Rogers.
Jake released his first major-label single “Middle Of Love” last May, Paper Magazine said “Give Jake Wesley Rogers a stadium” and now he is performing in arenas across the country, opening for Panic! at the Disco.
“Hindsight” along with earlier releases from this year including “Modern Love” and “Lavender Forever” which he performed on Ellen and HBO Max’s Legendary can be found on Jake’s upcoming EP.
"My new song Hindsight is very special to me, especially since it will be the end title track in Billy Eichner’s historic new film, “Bros”—the first gay rom-com made by a major motion picture studio. I wrote it with my go-to collaborator Justin Tranter, as well as the producer, Jason Gill. The song is about looking back at the past and longing to make the future better, by actually living and loving (and dancing) to your fullest potential." – Jake Wesley Rogers
Interview coming soon.
