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Gary Clark Jr. performed a shock set for F1 attendees in Austin final weekend, taking on town’s Franklin Barbecue for a personal present sponsored by Velocity Black.
The invite-only occasion reworked Austin’s famed barbecue joint into an intimate showcase for the rock and soul star, who performed an hour-long set that included his hits like “Issues Are Altering” and “Low Down Rolling Stone,” in addition to a canopy of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”
Clark Jr., who was born and raised in Austin, was joined by spouse Nicole Trunfio (a profitable model-turned-entrepreneur of maternity brand, Bumpsuit), whereas different company within the crowd included Aston Martin Formulation 1 growth driver Jak Crawford; Franklin Barbecue proprietor Aaron Franklin; and ambassadors for whiskey model Glenfiddich, celebrating the model’s ongoing collaboration with the Aston Martin team.
“I received a name to play music at a barbecue joint and I couldn’t flip it down,” Clark Jr. advised the gang of fifty or so company by the use of introductions. “I’m looking for my groove proper now,” he mentioned minutes later: “I did myself a disservice and had an entire bunch of barbecue, so this could be a low down blues set,” he joked.
Velocity Black
Although hundreds of racing followers descended upon Austin for the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix, the evening was reserved solely for members of Velocity Black, a luxurious digital concierge service that gives insider entry to premium eating, leisure and journey experiences all over the world — all from the comfort of a helpful app. Velocity Black’s group of insiders come from the worlds of aviation, vogue and hospitality and may curate every thing from a personal jet pickup, to bespoke getaways, to scoring tickets to sold-out sporting occasions and concert events (suppose every thing from World Sequence tickets to Sabrina Carpenter seats). Members additionally get entry to particular occasions tailor-made to their profile and pursuits, with the app utilizing custom-built tech to establish “hyper-personalized experiences,” per an organization memo.
Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto
Bestselling cookbook
Entry to the personal Clark Jr. and Franklin Barbecue occasion was obtainable solely to Velocity Black members, who obtained invites by means of the Velocity Black app as a complimentary perk of membership. The restaurant — which usually closes as quickly as its meat is bought out for the day — re-opened solely within the night, with Franklin pitmasters smoking up brisket, ribs and turkey to pair with the Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 16-year single malt. The get together and music continued afterwards with a Dwight Yoakam live performance on the Moody Heart, with an official after-party in a members-only speakeasy dubbed “The Hideaway by Velocity Black.”
Glenfiddich Aston Martin F1 16-Yr-Previous Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The official collaboration with the Aston Martin group is a limited-edition launch
Velocity Black has additionally been the official Luxurious Life-style Companion of the Aston Martin Aramco Formulation 1 group for the final three years, and Velocity Black members had been capable of entry devoted VIP tables within the Aston Martin paddock membership lounge over the weekend, whereas taking in personal storage excursions and pit lane walks. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso even made a shock look within the paddock membership the day earlier than the race.
Velocity Black’s activations in Austin will proceed on past the race, with the “Hideaway” returning to the Moody Heart later this fall, providing VIP entry within the “most unique nook of the world’s occasion ground” for the upcoming Tate McRae and Billie Eilish concert events. Extra particulars about Velocity Black’s choices, consultants and membership dues are available on its website.
