Friday, April 24, 2026

indie rock

AlbumMike CosmicReview

Album Review: The Division Men to drop star studded album Hymns and Fiery Dances August 22

El Paso duo, The Division Men haven’t released an album in eight years. Their last album, Ninos Del Sol, was released in 2018 and featured a star-studded lineup of musicians; Rafael Gayol (Leonard Cohen), Steven Hufsteter (The Quick, Tito & Tarantula), Jay Reynolds (Asleep at the Wheel), and Jake Garcia (Black Angels) to name a few. Their new album, Hymns and Fiery Dances is nothing short of genius. The record drops August 22 everywhere you listen to music.

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Live MusicReviewTroy Gonzales

Live music review: Of Montreal sold-out Radio East for 20th anniversary of The Sunlandic Twins album

There comes a time in every music fan’s life, when the band or musical artist who they once viewed as hip and innovative, suddenly becomes seen as a nostalgic act. Which might be hard to argue when said band, of Montreal, founded by Kevin Barnes in 1996, is now celebrating the 20th anniversary of one of their most seminal and popular albums, The Sunlandic Twins with an ongoing tour. While it has never been my favorite album, (Satanic Panic in the Attic or Hissing Fauna and Are You The Destroyer both vie for that honor),  I’ve rarely missed one of their live shows. There was no way I was going to pass up a chance to enjoy this 2oth anniversary celebration with new and old fans for what turned out to be a sold out show at Radio East on July 16. 

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Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Wavves played to raucous Mohawk crowd in Austin

On a warm and muggy Saturday night in Austin, San Diego-based, surf-punks, Wavves, headlined a showcase for a packed, raucous Mohawk crowd on July 19 in the Red River Cultural District.  Three bands were on the bill for the night, all hailing from California, and each delivered their  respective takes on Golden State indie post-punk. Beach Goons and Chokecherry opened the show.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Aussies Tropical Fuck Storm sold-out 29th Street Ballroom

Melbourne’s Tropical Fuck Storm soared into Austin for a sold-out gig at the under-new-management 29th St. Ballroom in the University of Texas Campus area on a week ago Sunday night, a fitting conclusion to an action-packed concert weekend in the live music capital. The release of their latest LP, Fairyland Codex, has garnered an extensive array of praise from critics, some calling it their best to date, and has spawned a planned worldwide tour for the Aussies to promote yet another entry in the ever-growing discography

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Amanda QuraishiLive MusicReview

Live music review: A joyous solstice fest by The Bright Light Social Hour

The summer solstice is upon us, and that can mean only one thing: a hometown performance by Austin’s The Bright Light Social Hour.  This year, the band was joined for their one-night Endless Light Festival at Mohawk by four other outstanding Austin bands; Megafauna, Bruce, LLuvii, and Grandmaster on June 21 at the longtime downtown Red River Cultural District venue. 

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPhotos

Live music photos: Pinky Fest by The Pinky Rings at Far Out Lounge featured eight bands

On Saturday, June 7 Pinky Fest organized by Austin punk band The Pinky Rings took place at South Austin venue The Far Out Lounge and Stage. The event featured live music from eight local bands. Besides the all-female foursome hosts a raft of Austin acts including Molly Ringworm, Think No Think, Die Mart, Cormae, NSFWHO, Tied Up and Dregs performed on an unusually hot Spring weekend in Central Texas.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: L.A. psych punk act Hooveriii at 13th Floor

Los Angeles psychedelic rock collective Hooveriii made a not-so-rare Austin appearance at The 13th Floor in the Red River Cultural District on Monday, June 2, bringing an intimate experience ahead of their planned 2025 Levitation Festival appearance. The cross-country tour comes in support of 2025 LP Manhunter, a ripper packed with supercharged tracks that shows the Bert Hoover-led outfit staying the course as one of the indie rock underground’s most exciting acts

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: White Denim returns to Austin for Hot Luck Fest with Nolan Potter

Austin to Pasadena indie outfit White Denim, the musical fusion of chief songwriter James Petralli has seen many forms. Since making the West Coast his home, the Austin-bred group has undergone a creative shift, no longer a vehicle of constant members and making Petralli’s name synonymous with the consistent stream of records released amid numerous lineup changes throughout the years. On Saturday night (May 24) at Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District as a part of the annual Hot Luck Festival culinary celebration, White Denim fed their hometown once again, their third stop in Central Texas in 18 months.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Six bands to see at Kilby Block Party 2025

he DIY spirit of Kilby Court runs through the heart of the SLC music scene culminating each May with Kilby Block Party at the Utah State Fairpark. This year’s edition has expanded to a fourth evening on Thursday, May 15. The fest runs through Sunday, May 18 with a lineup of bands that stands out among American music festivals this year. The added day was to accommodate the schedule of New Order who haven’t played Utah in 35 years. The rest of the lineup is mind blowing with acts like Beach House, Weezer and Justice who will perform in Salt Lake for the first time. Four-day passes and single day tickets are still available here. Read on to learn more about six bands to see at Kilby Block Party in 2025. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Austin Psych Fest brought eclectic talent from across the psych spectrum

The Spring installment of Austin Psych Fest returned last weekend to The Far Out Lounge & Stage for a three-day, two-stage, no-overlap experience that brought over 30 acts to Austin for an eclectic weekend of music from all across the trippy psychedelic spectrum. For 2025, the billed talent stretched its boundaries by bringing a diverse array of artists that catered to fans of Psych Fest past and present. Here’s what stood out to us over the weekend-long stand in South Austin. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Haunting acoustic sets by Ty Segall and Mikal Cronin at Parish

y Segall and fellow songwriting partner Mikal Cronin shared an intimate acoustic bill on Sunday, April 6 at Austin East Side venue Parish, and the results were a haunting series of tunes to a seated crowd. A masterclass in both recording and touring, the duo pulled from various records that showed them presenting a side of them that we don’t hear that often. There was no electric guitar mania to be found, but something different was brought to the table by the two living indie rock overlords, and the results showed a realm of musical honesty and longtime friendship. 

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