Review

Amanda QuraishiLive MusicReview

Live Music Review: The Bright Light Social Hour headlined stellar Scoot Inn performance last Saturday

The band played Austin for a few SXSW-adjacent shows this spring and now they’re back on the road, taking Emergency Leisure eastward – but not before one more local show at Austin’s Scoot Inn on Saturday, April 13. Local favs The Mammoths opened early, followed by Mo Lowda & the Humble who are scheduled to continue on tour with The Bright Light Social Hour through the end of spring. By the time Mo Lowda was done vibing, the crowd was primed and the mood shifted in anticipation. 

Read More
Case CockrellPremiereReview

Single premiere: Holy Wire released new single Lost this week

Holy Wire has released their new single “Lost,” out this week on all streaming services. The single, accompanied by two music videos, one lyric and one visual, showcases the unique blend of influences that define the Austin electropop act. Frontman Alain Paradis’ inspired prowess for post punk, infused with synth and moody vocal deliveries, draws from the New York City rock and roll revival and the eclectic nature of the Austin music scene, creating a musical utopia that is both familiar and refreshingly new. 

Read More
Case CockrellFilmReview

SXSW film review: This is a Film About The Black Keys premiered at Sx Film Festival

For South By Southwest 2024, The Black Keys premiered their triumphant story of rock and roll stardom, which didn’t come as an immediate success as their long tenure as a band might suggest. In the premiering “This Is A Film About The Black Keys,” we get to see their rise as a band, along with the friends they met and the legends they crossed paths with along the way, allowing for all the laughs, pitfalls, and eventual success of being famous rock stars in the present. 

Read More
Case CockrellPremiereReview

Single premiere: Big Bill drops new single Ex-Con today in nod to Austin act Smog

Big Bill has released their newest single, “Ex-Con.” The release comes with unveiling the Austin punk act’s upcoming LP, Strawberry Seed, due out June 14. Big Bill is a band that makes a unique event out of every live show, demanding audience participation with inclusive stage presence, pogoing mosh pits, and matching red stage-wear that depicts their distinctive logo and creates a vibe of special occurrences that requires their own regalia

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

SXSW live review: Music festival wrapped up with seven great acts

Austin’s South by Southwest finished things up with countless showcases that made the last two days of the music festival a pick-and-choose affair that didn’t let up until the crack of 2 a.m. on Saturday night. For most festival goers, energy can run slim on these last two days, and seeing what you can before the festival’s end is essential to closing the book on yet another March festival edition. Here’s seven great acts we closed out our SXSW with on the final two days of our festival experience. 

Read More
Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

SXSW Ramble: From Ben Nichols to The Spits to a neighborhood block party to Tear Dungeon and Fugitive

Some people hate SXSW. But just the same, another contingency finds magic within the chaos. The festival is draining; it takes a lot out of the festival goer, the musicians, and the service industry staff slinging the tacos, cleaning up the puke, and loading up the plastic cups full of whatever poison gets the job done. Standing late Sunday night at Empire Control Room at the crossroads of that perfect place of drunk and happy, I consistently remain in the latter regarding where SXSW lives within my heart. 

Read More
April RiggsLive MusicReview

SXSW live review: The Black Angels performed at Marshall Fun House party and it ruled

Fast forward to SXSW 2024 and asking Greg why in all these years he’s never asked me to write for TCC and him finding out that I’ve seen The Black Angels (give or take) 40 times since that fateful night back in 2006. And here we are – you’re here to get a recap of Friday’s SXSW show at The Parish for the Marshall Fun House and I’m giving my brief history with the band as it pertains to writing about them.

Read More
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

SXSW live review: UK acts including buzz band SPRINTS thrilled at Music For Listeners party

Lazarus Brewing Company hosted the annual Music For Listeners showcase again this year, and, as should be expected, it did not disappoint. The Cosmic Clash was on hand to witness the third of five days of live music on March 14 at the East Austin Brewery that featured SXSW buzz band SPRINTS from Ireland along with a slate of primarily UK acts.

Read More
Case CockrellPremiereReview

Song premiere: Austin act Grandmaster has released their latest single Holy Star today

Austin act Grandmaster has released their latest single, “Holy Star” today. The single will be featured on their upcoming full-length studio release produced by Nolan Potter, due out May 3 to coincide with the Grandmaster Gala, scheduled to take place on May 4 at State Theatre at the Paramount in downtown Austin.

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

SXSW live review: Music portion of festival kicked off with a slate of great bands from all over the globe

The South By Southwest Music Festival is an annual, all around-the-clock event that spans venues across Austin and showcases musical talent from all over the globe to perform in town for the SXSW festivities. Each day of music starts at noon and usually continues until the 2 a.m. closing time for each day of programming. For the first two days of the Sx music showcases, we rounded up some of our favorite acts that kicked off our live festival coverage.

Read More