Live Music

Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Nation of Language treated Scoot Inn crowd to sublime synth rock vibes

Brooklyn’s Nation of Language treated the Scoot Inn crowd last Thursday to an 80s synth rock influenced masterpiece of of a show. The upstart trio who got a huge boost in the midst of the Pandemic with 2021’s A Way Forward which garnered streaming fans far and wide. The record’s success also got the band slots at ACL Festival last year where The Cosmic Clash witnessed an early afternoon set at a minor stage that impressed despite the less than ideal setting in the heat of the Texas afternoon

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Housing NPO The Other Ones Foundation present Been There 2 featuring Brownout and Pharcyde

This year, the lineup features local Latin funk heroes Brownout with hip-hop impresario, Pharcyde. Also on the bill are Nikki Glaspie (former drummer for Beyoncé) and The Homies, HeartByrne (Talking Heads Tribute Band), Croy and the Boys, Como Las Movies and more. There will also be a VIP stand-up comedy performance by Doug Mellard. The show takes place Saturday, November 11 at the Esperanza Community from noon to 10 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in advance by supporters and music fans. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: The best of LEVITATION Festival 2023

For 2023, Levitation, founded by Austin psych-rock wizards The Black Angels and festival organizer Rob Fitzpatrick, brought the goods for this year’s installment. From garage rock overlord Ty Segall to EDM titan Flying Lotus to the neo psych-rock of Black Angels, Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre,  Levitation brought a vast array of elements that makes festival’s Austin takeover something special for fans and performing artists alike

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Six must see acts Thursday and Friday at LEVITATION Festival 2023

Thursday, Austin’s most beloved music festival as far as the hipster crowd is concerned reconvenes in venues across the Red River Cultural District downtown along with this year’s venue additions, Far Out Lounge in South Austin and electronic music haven, Concourse Project. There are a ton of great performances slated so we’re going to distill it down to a select few shows that are considered must see acts at LEVITATION 2023. Our colleagues Case Cockrell and Brian Hillsman will weigh in with some other sets you should check out this week at the festival soon.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: GUM impressed fans at Parish October 12

Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, singer and producer, Jay Watson brought his solo project GUM to Parish Thursday evening to a mostly full venue. The artist is better known for his contributions to Australian psych-rock act, Tame Impala and the group he co-founded, Pond.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Birds Barbershop and Feels So Good presents Good Hair Day show benefiting HAAM Sunday

Sunday at Feels So Good’s headquarters in South Austin. Headliners Frankie and the Witch Fingers top the bill at the show that only requires a donation to HAAM to join the fun, Supporting Frankie are local acts, Cast of Thousands, GF Shannon, Ladyfingers and Nick Garza’s Get Along. DJ Boi Orbison will also be spinning tunes.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Eclipse Utopiafest brought eclectic music and community to Central Texas this month

Utopia Festival organizers Travis Sutherland and Wayne Dalchau have spent over the past decade working tirelessly to craft a small cap music festival that stresses the importance of expanding any music fan’s horizons while cultivating a community that keeps fans of the festival coming back year after year. For this Fall’s edition of the festival, the Utopia team celebrated the solar eclipse with an eclectic lineup that brought an array of diverse musicians that take the Utopia Festival mission to heart. 

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Amanda QuraishiLiveLive Music

Live Music Review: The Bright Light Social Hour Works Magic at Mohawk

The Bright Light Social Hour is currently on tour following the release of their new LP, Emergency Leisure but the band made a pitstop in their hometown last Saturday night, playing The Mohawk before a throng of loyal, exuberant fans. 

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