Surreal Luck: Two Weekends Where the Hill Country Glowed Electric
After eight years showcasing their transformative "Surreal" neon experience in iconic Austin locations, Ion Art approached Luck Presents with the concept of a wild west iteration, and Surreal Luck was born.
“We were so proud to introduce Surreal Luck 2025, a Western Surreal show like never before,” shared Ion Art Founder and Co-Owner Sharon Keshishian. “To host this at the Luck Ranch on the set of Red Headed Stranger on the 50th anniversary of the song ‘Red Headed Stranger’ couldn’t feel any luckier. It was such a privilege to be able to partner with the Luck family, whose ideals align with ours, to create this new twist on such a special show.”
What began years ago in a parking lot has grown into a full-scale neon wonderland curated by some of Austin’s most imaginative makers. Ion Art lit up Willie’s backyard with installations that shimmered across the horizon, and the result was a cosmic playground that pulled people in from every corner of the Hill Country.
Weekend One felt like stepping into a spark that just kept burning.
Friday started with a soulful performance from Hendrix Frankenreiter. Coming from Hawaii, Hendrix brought his introspective, deeply-rooted sound that manages to blend that distinct note you’d find on its shores with an expressive guitar tone that feels all too familiar in Hill Country. That evening, we also had the always electric Jigglewatts perform against the backdrop of the chapel and saloon lit in a neon glow.
As the weekend continued, we had Matthew Logan Vasquez, frontman from the Delta Spirit, take the stage on Saturday to bring his poetic lyrics that dance between parody and deep introspection. The Inkcaps, led by frontman Dylan Washington, who doubles as Sendero Provision’s Music Community Manager, closed out Sunday with a sound that felt true to Hill Country, a mix of psychedelic and soul.
Between weekend one and two, folks convened on the ranch for a culinary experience never-before seen on Luck Ranch: Thursday’s Spaghetti Western, hosted by local culinary icon Chef Fiore Tedesco. The nine-course menu featured everything from fennel black pepper breadsticks to fresh rigatoni with Sunday sauce and spicy pork sausage to torta caprese. As forks clattered on plates, the evening sky was filled with the haunting voice of Candi Jenkins. The night turned into something that felt both familiar and wonderfully strange.
Weekend Two picked up the story right where we left it. Friday night opened strong with a performance by Austin-native band The Point, whose genre-bending, psychedelic sound was the perfect backdrop to lose yourself in Ion Art's surreal neon world. A longtime Luck Family friend returned Saturday night, but you may not have recognized him - by day, he's the self-described "county-adjacent" Jonathan Terrell, by night he's a disco-loving, dance tracks-spinning Vegan Leather. While we love Jonathan, we were very pleased to meet the previously unknown to us side of his dual personality.
On Surreal's final night, we invited another Central Texas-grown group to the stage, Company L. Punky ska music played Surreal Luck to a close...a perfect fit considering the angst we felt over saying goodbye to this wild western wonderland.
Surreal Luck lived far beyond the stage. Tarot readings took place under a soft neon glow. Dancers, builders, and artists filled the streets with movement and color. Mixologists passed out potions. Everywhere you wandered there was something new sparking your curiosity.
“We are thrilled with the outcome of the Surreal Luck Neon Exhibition. It exceeded all our expectations! The neon installation was stunning, and it felt right at home on Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch. We deeply appreciate the relationships we've built with the Luck Reunion Team, Chef Fiore Tedesco, our Vendors, and Sponsors from this event, and we sincerely look forward to collaborating again in the future.” - Ion Art Team
Call it a festival, an art show, or a neon daydream. Whatever name you give it, Surreal Luck pulsed with everything we love about this place.
So to everyone who showed up, thank you. Ion Art brought the light. You brought the life.
If you missed a night or the entire run, you are still in Luck.
Every moment lives on the Surreal Luck website.
Now that the dust has settled, we are already looking toward Reunion season.
And as a thank you for those of you who walked through the neon gates with us, we hope you got those coveted early bird tickets.
It has been surreal, y'all.
Until we meet again.
