Will Taylor, a violinist from Austin, is bringing his “Concert in the Dark” experience to the Price Center in San Marcos for the first time this Saturday Oct. 4 from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. with doors at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be offered in a tiered format, ranging from $15 to $50, to keep the event accessible for all while supporting the musicians and venue.
Taylor is known for his group Strings Attached and for collaborations with artists like Willie Nelson, Pearl Jam and Shawn Colvin, spending decades blending classical instrumentation with modern music. Now, he’s inviting audiences into a space where music meets mindfulness, and where the absence of light helps bring a deeper presence to sound.
Guests will sit or recline in a darkened room — no stage, no spotlight — and be immersed in the music of Radiohead, performed live by strings, clarinet and piano. As the lights fade, the boundaries between performer and audience dissolve, encouraging a shared experience of deep listening.
There will be a traditional cacao ceremony to open the evening. Audience members are welcomed with warm cacao, a plant medicine used for centuries to create calm, connection and clarity. The ritual isn’t religious or formal — it’s gentle and welcoming, meant to create a collective atmosphere of peace and attentiveness. Many guests who’ve attended past versions of the concert say the cacao helped them feel more emotionally open, present and connected to those around them.
Though rooted in Austin’s rich music scene, Taylor is intentionally bringing this experience to smaller communities across Central Texas.
“There’s something really beautiful about doing this in places like San Marcos or Lockhart,” Taylor said. “You feel that people are ready for connection. You feel the hunger for something meaningful, something shared.”
The Oct. 4 performance marks the start of what Taylor envisions as a regional series, with more dates to follow in neighboring communities.
The Price Center is located at 222 W. San Antonio St. For tickets and more information, visit willtaylorandstringsattached. com.
Violinist Will Taylor and Cellist Tony Rogers have fun before a set. Photo courtesy of Strings Attached
