This is fine.
After over 2 years of being a home body and living with anxiety, mixed with a dash of unease, it was an overwhelmingly cathartic experience to get out of the house to see live music again. Seeing old faces, visiting old haunts, and of course being treated to an incredible live set by one of the best live bands around, Idles. I’d say BGray and I were like little kids going to a show for the first time. Hit the jump for a few thoughts and some fancy photos from BGray.
Shows are back, y’all, and in full swing. We’ve got a bunch of touring acts coming to the ATX in the next few weeks…looking at you Levitation 2021, but also some great bands to catch while they’re in town before hand. This Monday, we’re welcoming IDLES to Stubb’s, who are known for their raucous post-hardcore/punk sounds and wildly entertaining live shows. They’re just about to drop their fourth studio album, CRAWLER, on 11/12, and they’ve released the single “The Beachland Ballroom” for us to preview the latest effort. Now, this show is sold out, but I’m sure if you scramble you can find a way in. It’s bound to be an evening of fun, mayhem, and exceptional tunes.
Yes! The return of one of my favorite festivals/events in Austin. Long ago, Levitation was once Psych Fest, and it was glorious. Then it switched from Psych Fest to Levitation, then switching from one giant beautiful field to multiple venues, and honestly its been like the best part of SXSW! It’s the part where you get music heads chasing great bands like this year’s line-up featuring Black Midi, Chicano Batman, Tinariwen, The Hives, Japanese Breakfast and more! But, at least the 2019 version, it was pretty absent the free-swag army chasing beers and keychains. This year, the event will be spread out over four days, across venues like Stubbs, Mohawk, Cheer Up Charlies and Empire.
You can grab yourself some tickets right HERE, with more bands to be announced as the date draws near. And then check the recap of the 2019 experience!
Tuesday night, the Better Oblivion Community Center graced us with their presence at Stubb’s, alongside the company of Lala Lala and Christian Lee Hutson for the first real Stubb’s Sweat of the season. One of the most buzzed about acts of 2019, BOCC is a cult of sadness, with its two founders, Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers at the helm of the vessel of sadness. What we got was a great night for fans of both artists individually as well as new fans of the project. Read past the jump to get my brief thoughts on the night.
This Tuesday night (4/9), we’ll be graced by the presence of Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst in the form of the Better Oblivion Community Center as they take the stage at Stubb’s. Previously slated for the Mohawk, overwhelming support for the early 2019 self-titled album caused a move to a bigger venue; the hype is real and with good reason. Not only are both artists incredible on their own and in their various projects over the years, this new joint album is quite phenomenal. Tickets are still available and are a pretty sweet deal for the amount of talent you’re getting for the price. Openers are Lala Lala, who put out a great album last year, as well as Christian Lee Hutson. Some of our favorite locals, Being Dead will take the inside stage at Stubb’s Jr post-BOCC. Check out “Dylan Thomas” from Bridgers and Oberst (if somehow you haven’t already) and go scoop some tickets before they’re gone–it’s a great option for an early week night treat.
I think there’s one thing that most people in the indie world can agree upon, and that’s the quality of Big Thief; even my wife and I agree on how great the band is! Today, the band share a new single off their U.F.O.F LP, which is slated for release on May 3rd. Knowing that the album was written in rural Washington makes it easy to follow the band’s music on this new single; it seems like a straight nod to traditional American folk music. But, of course, Adrianne Lenker’s voice is sublime; it walks a fine line between intimate folk whisper and soulful powerhouse; this is perhaps my most favorite Big Thief tune…that’s just for today, though.
Austin fans can catch the band at Stubbs on November 4th.
After the great many successes of my Gimme 5 playlist feature, I thought it was nigh time we feature a Texas based artists on this thing. Imagine my luck, Houston based band Wild Moccasins are coming through town on January 17th at Stubbs Jr. and they were feeling the idea. Zahira Gutierrez, who fronts the band, chose five songs which truly inspire her and bring her joy as she creates her own music. To see what she came up with, hit the post for words, songs, and videos.
Last weekend started off with a dance party. Friday may have been the single nicest day of the year; it was like nature was air conditioned. What better way to celebrate than with a show at Stubb’s? How about a little Cut Copy to add to that pleasantry? How about a solid opener like Kauf?
The show wasn’t a total sell out, but it got close which is not really surprising given they were at SxSW. Cut Copy was sharing some new jams surrounded by all the hits. This was the second date of the actual tour after a few small fest sets and aforementioned SxSW action.
Did you go? Did you miss it? Click through and let’s review while viewing all the photos together…
If you don’t know anything about me, know that I will go see Cut Copy any chance I get. Of non-Austin bands, I’d say they are the one band I have seen more times than any other. That kinda snuck up on me. Sure, they played one exclusive party during SxSW and did some DJ sets, but tonight, they play Stubb’s, the unofficial home of Cut Copy in America. I am curious if they are just hanging about, playing Dallas last night, but being almost two weeks removed from SxSW, you have to wonder if they were doing some recording here?
But they are the known here. How about I give some love to the opener? Kauf has been in and out of The Bucket playlist over on Soundcloud. I use that playlist to mix newer faves into other playlists when entertaining. The song featured below is called “Pacify”, a song with an understated elegance that builds, ebbs and peaks before release; Nicole shared it on ATH in late 2016. Maybe also check out “A Ruin”. Hopefully, it will push you over the edge to pick up a ticket, show up early and dance with us.
Tickets: HERE
Nicole and I are going to tag team coverage for The War on Drugs with Land of Talk at Stubb’s plus bonus coverage of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Mohawk.
NB: Saturday night was another one for the books as Austin was lit up as ever with great bands and crazy antics on Red River. My main event was at Stubb’s for The War on Drugs, touring incredible latest album, A Deeper Understanding. B. Gray was on double duty–taking killer shots of The War on Drugs and then bouncing over to The Mohawk to catch King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard. Follow the jump to see his pretty pics and read some brief thoughts on a night at the gravel pit.
BG: Click through, y’all.
