Review

Drew DoggettReview

Live music review: Japanese Breakfast closed LEVITATION with jubilant celebration

As Austin’s LEVITATION festival closed out on Halloween night, many fans still wore three or four wristbands from their full weekend of psych rock events the festival organzied. Sundays can be a drudge for any festival, but the sold-out, costume-wearing Japanese Breakfast crowd at Stubb’s BBQ proved that the Live Music Capital of the World is as vibrant as ever.

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: LEVITATION Fest got off to a visually psychedelic start Thursday

After almost two years of uncertainty and turmoil in the music festival sector, one of Austin’s most beloved mid-tier music fests returned Thursday to venues primarily located in the downtown-adjacent Red River Cultural District. The music festival that began as Austin Psych Fest has since rebranded to LEVITATION to expand to other markets

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Semihelix had magical night at Radio Milk with my education and ThunderStars

The unbridled bliss that comes when thing are aligned was present Saturday at East Austin’s Radio Milk Recording Co. The studio White Denim built is also a performance space that is truly special. It was the perfect spot to highlight the work Geannie Friedman of Semihelix has done with her new record, Recoil, which by all accounts is a hit with listeners near and far.

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Drew DoggettReview

Live music review: Feeling Alive with TOPS At Mohawk Austin

With their concise old-school rock formula, it’s tempting to label Montreal’s TOPS as a nostalgia project. But pop-rock doesn’t account for the band’s intricate layers and synthpop negates the group’s prowess in both their instruments and songwriting. Sure, the keys pop and levitate into a lush atmosphere, but it’s a dreamy wave that invites you to dance not brood as was the case last Friday in Austin’s Red River District at The Mohawk.

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Asleep at the Wheel 50th Anniversary featured George Strait

Friday evening Austin Western Swing legend, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel (AATW) celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the hallowed Texas band that has won nine Grammy awards and put out over 20 albums, charting 21 singles on the Billboard country charts since forming. It was a special evening of music that felt like the authentic Texas country crowd were putting their stamp of approval on the beautiful new Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. 

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Drew DoggettReview

Live music review: Philly punks Mannequin Pussy slayed Empire Garage last night

Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy is an aggressive punk band with a lot of energy and a lot more to say. Sold out for Austin’s downtown venue, The Parish, last night’s show moved to Empire Garage in the adjacent Red River District to accommodate a significantly larger crowd than what the 400 capacity, The Parish can hold.

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