Thursday, June 4, 2026
The Cosmic Clash

indie rock

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: The Dandy Warhols assert legacy at Levitation Night Show

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Portland, Oregon indie rock socialites The Dandy Warhols aren’t just surviving the volatile world of music, but thriving for the generations of vinyl collectors that hold them dear as a formative force that sparked a love of music and acting as a harbinger of an industry revolution. With countless tours under their belt, a relentless and boundary-breaking creative output, The Dandy Warhols have gone independent, away from the clutches of major label business and built their own studio for all Dandy endeavors since the turn of the millennium. For Austin’s 2025 Levitation Festival, the Pacific Northwest hardliners went to work to further assert their legacy with a Friday (September 26) late-night performance at Mohawk in the downtown, Red River Cultural District. For fans new and old, what the Dandys made for a career-spanning set of favorites and deep cuts alike. 

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Lola Tried PR photo
Becky RodriguezReviewSong

Song review: Austin act Lola Tried released single off new EP, Hot Shot Barbie

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“And just like that…” Austin’s rock four-piece, Lola Tried released the latest single on September 8 for their EP, Feast which dropped four days later. As this is the fourth EP release for the long-running local act, “Hot Shot Barbie” is clear in its effort to build upon their power pop, garage, and indie rock background and make giant leaps toward revamping and further evolving their sound with the upcoming record.

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Spoon-landscape- 4 Moody Amp Angela Betancourt
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Indie rock legends Pixies and Spoon played Moody Amphitheater

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Indie rock legends come in many forms. Whether you’re discussing the likes of Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, or Guided By Voices, someone in the room is going to eventually bring up The Pixies. Hailing from Boston and now entering their 40th year, the prolific songwriting of singer and guitarist Black Francis remains influential. For their 2025 North American tour, the Northeastern outfit enlisted the help of hometown heroes Spoon, making a sensible pairing of two leading musical entities in their respective birthplaces. For the Austin stop on the run, the double-headline bill made its way to Moody Amphitheater on Saturday, September 6, a sweaty occasion that made it all about the music. 

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AlbumMike CosmicReview

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

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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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Of Montreal Radio East Troy Gonzales
Live MusicReviewTroy Gonzales

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

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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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Wavves Mohawk Troy Gonzales
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

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

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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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Tropical Fuck Storm 29th Street Ballroom Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

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

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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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TBLSH Fest Mohawk Mike Cosmic
Amanda QuraishiLive MusicReview

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

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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

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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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Hooveriii 2 13th Floor Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

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

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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

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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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