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Rock Star Surprises F1 Fans with Intimate Barbecue Performance
26 Oct
Summary
- Gary Clark Jr. played a surprise set for F1 attendees in Austin
- Event transformed Franklin Barbecue into an intimate showcase
- Velocity Black members had exclusive access to the private event
On the weekend of the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, rock and soul musician Gary Clark Jr. delivered a surprise performance for a select group of Formula 1 fans. The intimate event, organized by Velocity Black, a luxury digital concierge service, transformed the city's renowned Franklin Barbecue into an exclusive showcase for the Austin-born artist.
Clark Jr. played an hour-long set that included his hit songs as well as a cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing." The event was attended by a crowd of around 50 guests, including Aston Martin Formula 1 development driver Jak Crawford, Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin, and ambassadors for the whiskey brand Glenfiddich, which is collaborating with the Aston Martin F1 team.
Velocity Black, which has been the official Luxury Lifestyle Partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team for the past three years, offered its members exclusive access to the private event through its app. The members also enjoyed VIP experiences in the Aston Martin paddock club lounge over the race weekend, including private garage tours and pit lane walks.
The evening's festivities continued with a Dwight Yoakam concert at the Moody Center, followed by an after-party in a members-only speakeasy called "The Hideaway by Velocity Black." Velocity Black's exclusive offerings in Austin are set to continue beyond the race, with the "Hideaway" returning to the Moody Center later this fall for upcoming concerts by Tate McRae and Billie Eilish.
