Liam Lawson to headline Racing Bulls music night in Austin on 22 October with custom Taylor guitar

Liam Lawson will swap his Racing Bulls cockpit for a stage in Austin next week. The New Zealander is set to headline the team's Garage Sessions event on Thursday, 22 October, playing a live set with his brother and two childhood friends, and launching a custom guitar with Taylor Guitars, the day before practice for the United States Grand Prix begins at the Circuit of the Americas.

The gig

The performance is part of Racing Bulls' Garage Sessions, a fan event the team has previously staged in Australia and Las Vegas. This time it takes place at Esses Bazaar at Inn Cahoots on Austin's East 6th Street. The wider event opens at 3pm local time, with the Garage Sessions music set starting at 7pm. For fans in Malaysia, 7pm in Austin is 8am on Friday, 23 October.

Lawson will play alongside his brother and two friends from his childhood band. A line-up of country music performers is also on the bill, and the afternoon programme includes food, tattoo artists, western-wear stalls and a chance to pose next to a Racing Bulls show car. Tickets are already on sale.

A guitar with his number on it

To mark the occasion, Lawson and Taylor Guitars are launching a special-edition LL30 GS Mini. The instrument has a pink-to-white finish that echoes his helmet colours, his race number 30 on the pickguard and his cartoon helmet logo engraved on the truss rod cover. Lawson said he was proud to begin the partnership at Garage Sessions.

Music away from the track

Lawson, 24, has played the guitar since childhood. His father played in a band when he was growing up and encouraged him and his brother to take up music from the age of six. He has previously jammed with country artist Warren Zeiders and has even taught Isack Hadjar to play. Lawson said playing helps him "clear my head during the season" and that he is looking forward to meeting fans away from the circuit.

A busy week for his future too

The gig comes while Lawson waits to learn where he will race in 2027. Racing Bulls, where he partners rookie Arvid Lindblad, have not yet confirmed next season's line-up, and team principal Alan Permane said on 11 October that a decision would come in the coming weeks and that the team was in no rush. Austin therefore offers Lawson another chance to make his case on track, once the guitar is put away.

The US Grand Prix weekend runs from 23 to 25 October, with Kimi Antonelli arriving in Texas with a chance to clinch the 2026 drivers' title.

Key takeaways

• Liam Lawson headlines Racing Bulls' Garage Sessions in Austin on Thursday, 22 October, from 7pm local time (8am Friday in Malaysia).
• He plays with his brother and two childhood bandmates at Esses Bazaar at Inn Cahoots on East 6th Street.
• Taylor Guitars is launching a special-edition LL30 GS Mini in his colours with his number 30.
• Racing Bulls have yet to confirm their 2027 driver line-up.

FAQ

When and where is Liam Lawson's performance? Thursday, 22 October, from 7pm local time at Esses Bazaar at Inn Cahoots on East 6th Street in Austin, as part of Racing Bulls' Garage Sessions.

What is the LL30 guitar? It is a special-edition Taylor GS Mini with a pink-to-white finish, Lawson's number 30 on the pickguard and his cartoon helmet logo on the truss rod cover.

Who will Lawson perform with? His brother and two friends from his childhood band, with several country music acts also on the programme.

Sources: The Race, RacingNews365, GPblog, Crash.net