Friday, September 11, 2026

live music

ReviewTroy Gonzales

Single review: Wild Heaven’s “One To Go” Is a Slow Burn With Teeth

Who said lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place? We have once again been given the privilege of previewing

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Seven more bands to see at Levitation 2026

Levitation 2026 is coming up fast, and with programming scattered across Austin, a tight plan is a necessity if you want to catch everything worth catching. The festival will take place over a four day stretch on September 10 – 13, bringing a wide variety of bands to build a packed fest experience. The festival traces back to The Black Angels and founder Rob Fitzpatrick, who’s kept the lineups deep and eclectic year after year. Here’s another round of seven bands curated by The Cosmic Clash team worth building your schedule around. Set times and tickets are on the Levitation website.

Read More
Live MusicMatt BassReview

Live music review: The Rupert Selection Turns Off Cabot Into Evening to Remember

Do you ever leave a show and have that moment of realization that you just witnessed something really special? That was the vibe walking out of Off Cabot this past Sunday (8/23) after The Rupert Selection, Bad Larrys, Spinworld, and a surprise set by Reilly Somach + The Frozen Ponies rocked the sold-out downtown club in Beverly, Massachusetts, all while the sun was still out. The event was a benefit for Reilly who’d been diagnosed with cancer. 

Read More
Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Social Distortion Sang Their Hearts Out at Moody Amphitheater

Attending Social Distortion’s show at the Moody Amphitheater, on August 28, it was probably my tenth time seeing the band. I know what to expect at one of those shows: lots of gray hair, lots of parents trying to pass on their music to their kids, and those on the come up looking back to the classics as something of their own. Catching Australia’s The Chats was a plus;

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Six bands to see as Levitation returns to multi-venue format

Levitation returns to Austin September 10-13. Founded by members of The Black Angels and rooted in the city’s psych scene, the fest outgrew that single genre label a long time ago, with lineups running doom metal, darkwave, punk, and electronic acts alongside the psychedelic elements. After centering 2025 at Palmer Event Center, it’s back to the multi-venue format that’s anchored the fest since 2018. The Far Out Lounge & Stage on South Congress carries 2026’s main programming, with showcases scattered across downtown filling out the rest. Here’s who’s worth building your schedule around curated by The Cosmic Clash team. 

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: King Gizzard’s Field of Vision nights two and three with no song repeats

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard don’t rest. The Melbourne sextet closed out the second Field of Vision Festival with two more three-hour sets on August 15 and 16, pushing deeper into the Meadow Creek grounds in Buena Vista, Colorado they’d already claimed as their own. They’d fired the first shot on day one: a surprise drop of their 28th LP, Alien Metal, with zero warning. Then came the dare. “No song repeats,” the band promised Friday night, and fans spent the rest of the weekend hunting for new-album cuts and deep tracks to see if that promise would hold. Field of Vision was three of only seven U.S. tour dates. There was no room to coast.

Read More
April DawneLive MusicReview

Live music review: Black Moth Super Rainbow set weekend vibe at Radio East

It’s been an uncomfortable year between perimenopause and aging and three different car wrecks, so forgive me for not keeping up with the setlist for Friday’s bad-ass Black Moth Super Rainbow (BMSR) show at Radio East. I’m thankful that it’s near my house and a delightful place to see an outdoor show, so even if I’m feeling oddly antisocial, I can typically make myself get out to see a show there. Even at my most awkward, I wasn’t missing this BMSR show, and I’m glad I didn’t. Black Moth Super Rainbow set my weekend vibe to a T.

Read More
Live MusicMatt BassReview

Live music review: Miracle Blood engulfs Davis Square at Somergloom, fire department called in

Friday (August 7) evening marked night two of four of Somerville’s annual Somergloom Festival, and the first night at Davis Square’s iconic Crystal Ballroom. Fresh off a 15-date tour spanning the U.S. and Canada, Boston noise-punk power trio Miracle Blood brought a scorching, powerful set to the chandelier-clad ballroom and an eagerly awaiting hometown crowd as the band engulfed Davis Square at Somergloom Festival.

Read More
Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Legendary punks ALL played Chicago’s Thalia Hall for a rare treat

Whenever someone goes to see Descendents or ALL, there’s one universal truth: we’re all there, at least in part, to pay homage to Bill Stevenson, a legendary punk rock pioneer. The band played Chicago’s Thalia Hall on Wednesday, August 5.

Read More
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: inaugural Mayhem Fest at new Crow Bar ended on blistering note

Austin metal venue, The Crow Bar hosted Raven Mayhem Fest 2026 ended on a blistering note on Saturday, July 25 featuring bands from all across the Austin heavy spectrum and beyond for the inaugural three-day long extreme metal music festival at the newly reopened Crow Bar in far East Austin off Highway 183 at 523 Thompson Lane. Since reopening for SXSW 2025, co-owner Aryn Jonathan Black and booker Jay McDowell have been curating some of the heaviest-hitting bills in the Austin area. After the first Crow Bar location was lost to arson, owners Black and Steve Gee are back with a vengeance, and there’s been hell to pay since getting the underground-leaning establishment back up and running.

Read More
Live MusicMike CosmicOpinion

Founder’s Corner: Mike Cosmic tells readers why they need to hear Prom Threat

Been itching to tell you about a little three piece band called Prom Threat that I know well. The three-piece formed in Austin fires like a V8 engine. They’re part Riot Grrl, part shy girl, all kick-ass post-punk act. Prom Threat is the brain child of punk rocker Anna Sawyer. Her off-stage demeanor transforms when her band hits the stage. The transformation embodies flawless punk rock energy that has been pent up deep inside her petite frame. Each breath, every note, all the feelings drawn onto a dynamic sonic canvas with aural symmetry. Prom Threat is like a VW Bug that turns into a semi-truck, splattering buckets of sound into art.  It goes without saying, Prom Threat is one of my favorite bands.

Read More