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Gary Clark Jr. played a surprise set for F1 attendees in Austin last weekend, taking over the city’s Franklin Barbecue for a private show sponsored by Velocity Black.
The invite-only event transformed Austin’s famed barbecue joint into an intimate showcase for the rock and soul star, who played an hour-long set that included his hits like “Things Are Changing” and “Low Down Rolling Stone,” as well as a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing.”
Clark Jr., who was born and raised in Austin, was joined by wife Nicole Trunfio (a successful model-turned-entrepreneur of maternity brand, Bumpsuit), while other guests in the crowd included Aston Martin Formula 1 development driver Jak Crawford; Franklin Barbecue owner Aaron Franklin; and ambassadors for whiskey brand Glenfiddich, celebrating the brand’s ongoing collaboration with the Aston Martin team.
“I got a call to play music at a barbecue joint and I couldn’t turn it down,” Clark Jr. told the crowd of 50 or so guests by way of introductions. “I’m trying to find my groove right now,” he said minutes later: “I did myself a disservice and had a whole bunch of barbecue, so this might be a low down blues set,” he joked.
Velocity Black
Though thousands of racing fans descended upon Austin for the 2025 U.S. Grand Prix, the night was reserved exclusively for members of Velocity Black, a luxury digital concierge service that offers insider access to premium dining, entertainment and travel experiences around the world — all from the convenience of a handy app. Velocity Black’s team of insiders come from the worlds of aviation, fashion and hospitality and can curate everything from a private jet pickup, to bespoke getaways, to scoring tickets to sold-out sporting events and concerts (think everything from World Series tickets to Sabrina Carpenter seats). Members also get access to special events tailored to their profile and interests, with the app using custom-built tech to identify “hyper-personalized experiences,” per a company memo.
Franklin Barbecue: A Meat-Smoking Manifesto
Bestselling cookbook
Access to the private Clark Jr. and Franklin Barbecue event was available only to Velocity Black members, who received invitations through the Velocity Black app as a complimentary perk of membership. The restaurant — which typically closes as soon as its meat is sold out for the day — re-opened exclusively in the evening, with Franklin pitmasters smoking up brisket, ribs and turkey to pair with the Glenfiddich x Aston Martin F1 16-year single malt. The party and music continued afterwards with a Dwight Yoakam concert at the Moody Center, with an official after-party in a members-only speakeasy dubbed “The Hideaway by Velocity Black.”
Glenfiddich Aston Martin F1 16-Year-Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The official collaboration with the Aston Martin team is a limited-edition release
Velocity Black has also been the official Luxury Lifestyle Partner of the Aston Martin Aramco Formula 1 team for the last three years, and Velocity Black members were able to access dedicated VIP tables in the Aston Martin paddock club lounge over the weekend, while taking in private garage tours and pit lane walks. Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso even made a surprise appearance in the paddock club the day before the race.
Velocity Black’s activations in Austin will continue on beyond the race, with the “Hideaway” returning to the Moody Center later this fall, offering VIP access in the “most exclusive corner of the arena’s event floor” for the upcoming Tate McRae and Billie Eilish concerts. More details about Velocity Black’s offerings, experts and membership dues are available on its website.
