SAN ANTONIO – An annual event is giving San Antonians the opportunity to listen to local musicians at no cost, but for the artists, the two-day event can mean much more.
- Paper Tiger Free Week was January 2-4
- Allowed local artists to reach new audiences
- Annual event every January
Free Week is an annual event that started in Austin where every January, artists perform free shows at music venues across the city. Paper Tiger brought the tradition to San Antonio when the venue first opened in 2015.
“They are vital for the artists because it gives people the opportunity to perform on a big stage in front people really from the city,” musician AJ Bray says. “You can really spread your market out, spread your brand out in front of people that are going to be your consumer.”
John Michael Villanueva selects the local talent to perform at Free Week and promotes the events. Villanueva went from expediting food at Hot Joy to becoming an essential piece in the Paper Tiger’s success.
The 28-year-old South-sider produces music and is part owner of Midnight Swim, a bar owned by the Paper Tiger. Villanueva’s platform has allowed him to serve as a resource for artists.
“If I can help somebody connect the dots, like this opportunity was given to me and I don’t know why or how, but I got it and I just want to share it,” Villanueva says. “The opportunities that weren’t given to me when I was 19, 20 and 21 are given to the people right now that are 19, 20, 21.”
San Antonians often say that the city is underestimated as a music destination, so venues like Paper Tiger can help change the narrative.
Elnuh, a 22-year-old indie artist, believes that San Antonio’s pool of talent is often overlooked because Houston, Austin, and Dallas overshadow the Alamo City.
“There’s a lot of really talented artists here that I think deserve the recognition for sure,” she said.
Villanueva has seen artists from San Antonio like Xavier Omär, Blake, Hoodlum, and Mateo Sun grow and bring attention to the city’s musical side. But his favorite part is watching an artist begin his or her journey.
“It’s like we are now entering a different era of music and it’s exciting to see everybody just trying to make it,” he says. “And everyone shows each other a lot of love and I’m super down for that.”