Live music preview: Austin psych rockers Holy Wave set to play International Bar November 18
Longtime Austin psych rockers, Holy Wave are set to play International Bar in downtown Salt Lake City on November 18. The foursome from El Paso who have been making music in Central Texas for about two decades come with a beautiful album in tow, I’m DADA which will easily make our list best Austin albums of 2026.
The new record, out on Suicide Squeeze might be their least psych-rock record to date. We realize that doesn’t sound like a selling point for an act known for psych rock, but this synthesizer-driven album delicately drives home the fact that Holy Wave are among some of Austin’s most talented songwriters. 20 years of making music will refine your skills in ways that are both entirely pleasing and occasionally unexpected. Advance tickets are available here.
The Holy Wave boys will be bringing along beloved psych-shoegazers Queen Serene. A band The Cosmic Clash has successfully booked for our events more than once. The group makes beautiful music while bringing just the right type of feel to the stage. They’re consummate performers as most Austin acts become amid the mountain of musical talent. Check their latest single “Glitter Disco.”
Most recently, the group played TCC’s Webberville Block Party Cavalier Stage in March during SXSW. SLC fans are pretty great about giving love to the support acts and they’d be smart to arrive early to catch bandleader Sarah Ronan and company set the table for Holy Wave. There’s a good reason Holy Wave asked Queen Serene to come along on this tour. It’d be a shame if fans in Salt Lake didn’t know why.
The good times will actually begin with local garage-punks, The Groanies. If you follow our humble publication then you already know we’re fans of this great little SLC power trio led by guitarist, vocalist and songwriter, Gage Omana. Unlike Holy Wave, The Groanies are at the beginning of their career, with almost four years of creating great tunes and playing gigs like S&S Presents’ now defunct, Psych Lake City event that showcased psych-rock acts at Urban Lounge. They’re part of a small but lively local underground scene that comes with a some good, enthusiastic energy.
Check their latest recording, Burn It All then grab tickets if you haven’t already. Trust us, this bill would be worth the ticket price if it was only The Groanies playing on November 18. But fans will get three great acts for one ticket. Seems like a deal to us.
The truth is this little triple bill is filled with sonic gold waiting to be unearthed by smart music fans hungry for the “real stuff.” One thing we know for sure, Austin bands always bring it. You should too.
Featured photo courtesy of Holy Wave
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