Wednesday, May 13, 2026
The Cosmic Clash

live music

26_SXSW_Flatstock_1080x566
CultureGreg AckermanPreview

SXSW preview: Flatstock offers unparalleled free fine art show to fans

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As a purveyor of good music, The Cosmic Clash rarely discusses visual art as we’re usually busy telling readers about music we love. Fans already know, visual art is a relevant component of the independent music scene that matters to us. Flatstock, the fine art poster show that has been present at South by Southwest (SXSW) as long as we can remember. In fact, Flatstock has been around since their first exhibition in San Francisco in 2002. The show features hand-printed and limited-edition poster art by over 50 artists and studios from around the globe for sale – all of whom will be in attendance to interact with visitors directly. The location this year is new as the Austin Convention Center is a pile of rubble at the moment. The new location at Moonlight Exhibit Hall is in the Austin Marriott Downtown (304 E Cesar Chavez St.) on March 13-15, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

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Bryan Ritchie courtesy of Bryan Ritchie
Case CockrellInterviewsMusic News

Interview: The Sword’s Bryan Richie works hard to sustain the Austin music scene

Case Cockrell 1451 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

If you’ve spent any real time in the Austin music trenches, you know the difference between hype and longevity. Bryan Richie has been on the longevity side for over 20 years. Between his work with The Sword, Spaceflight Records, and his electronic outlet Galactic Protector, he’s watched the local ecosystem evolve through boom cycles, venue shakeups, and the streaming era’s slippery slopes. We caught up with him to talk about staying busy, supporting artists the right way, and why Austin’s scene, while ever-changing, is far from dead. Richie is gearing up for a European tour this year while celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Sword’s triumphant debut Age of Winters, and will release the sequel to his 2019 solo record on February 24. We caught up with him to discuss the upcoming release and why the Central Texas music system still matters and how every bit of fan support is crucial to making it all happen. 

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Blackwater Holylight Radio East Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Blackwater Holylight drew diehards in droves to Radio East Tuesday

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The industrial area of southeast Austin carries a unique vibe. With no gentrification within yelling distance (or amplified music distance) in our case, there’s not much worry about noise complaints and the fuzz coming with the decibel reader to dock the venue for “Rock and roll mischief.” For Los Angeles-based via Portland shoegaze outfit Blackwater Holylight, an early-week bill on Tuesday evening at Radio East drew Austin diehards in droves to experience the Austin Psych Fest alums alongside local favorites, Glassing and The Well. With new LP Not Here Not Gone showcasing their multi-layered brand of luscious psych-infused soundscapes, the Blackwater quintet accounts for all the sounds that make up their dreamy biome.

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atmosphere 3 acl live drew doggett
Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Atmosphere Winter Carnival at Moody Theater ACL Live was a hip hop showcase

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Minneapolis legends, Atmosphere, brought a crew of hip hop elites to ACL Live at the Moody Theater on their Winter Carnival tour on February 6. The performance showcased prominent contemporaries of hip hop before the duo commanded the attention of each concertgoer in the room during their performance.

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APF 2025 day 3 Oscar Moreno
Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Austin Psych Fest returns to Far Out May 8 with stacked lineup

Case Cockrell 1051 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Austin Psych Fest returns this Spring on May 8 – May 10 to the Far Out Lounge & Stage, bringing yet another Spring festival edition to South Austin and a stacked three-day lineup. The 3-day festival will feature APF legacy acts and underground picks that showcase yet another year of reverberation appreciation from the Austin homegrown festival. The lineup features acts from all over the world to commemorate its fourth Spring edition since the return to an annual Springtime, one-location, two-stages, no-overlap festival experience. This one is a music fan’s dream format. All tickets can be purchased on the Levitation website.

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Megafauna 2026 Michael Worchel
Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Megafauna and Slomo Drags premiere singles, play Mohawk February 6

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This Friday, January 6 Andrew Cashen and Disciples of Creation are set to headline Mohawk. We love Cashen’s solo act as well as his other projects, A Giant Dog and Tear Dungeon but we’re here to tell you about a couple of impressive singles dropping this week from veteran Austin acts, Megafauna and Slomo Drags who are on the bill with the singer. Both bands have new songs to share with fans while they prepare to release more material in 2026 and perform for fans Friday evening at the crown jewel of Red River Cultural District rock clubs. The entire bill is worthy of any real Austin music fan’s attention with the three aforementioned artists, along with Transit Method and DJ Dead Flowers. The whole shebang is presented by 101X Homegrown and show host John Laird who knows a thing or two about Austin music.

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Bob Weir Memorial courtesy of Bob Weir
OpinionRobert Dean

Opinion: Bob Weir is irreplaceable so why not ask Sturgill Simpson to step in?

Robert Dean 25879 Views ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

Just for clarification, as I write this, my girlfriend, who is a massive Deadhead, is appalled.
With the announcement of the passing of Bob Weir on January 10, the future of The Grateful Dead Empire is now in question. Whereas most bands stop when one of the OG’s pass on, the Dead are a different animal. It’s part of their credo to celebrate the music, to cherish the culture created not only by the band and the fans but also with people in general. The Dead became an integral part of our musical culture a long time ago. There’s nothing like it, an ongoing celebration in different forms that’s been going since Jerry Garcia passed back in 1995.

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Brian HillsmanLive MusicReview

Live music review: legendary Austin act Soulhat played holiday show at Continental Club

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On December 26, legendary Austin rock outfit, Soulhat, performed in front of a packed audience for their annual holiday concert at the Live Music Capital’s oldest rock venue, Continental Club. After 36 years since forming, the Austin mainstays returned to the venue that most reflects Austin’s past with multiple residencies by longtime city players while simultaneously looking into it’s future with select newer acts.

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Parker Woodland Free Week 26 Troy Gonzales
Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Free Week returned in 2026 with cover free showcases

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Free Week returned to the Red River Cultural District last weekend, marking another successful year of cover free showcases that benefit local businesses throughout downtown Austin. The RRCD non-profit presents Free Week to keep venues and other establishments running during the slow period in both the service and music industries for employees and musicians until the Spring. With 80+ artists across 10+ venues, Free Week 2026 proved a massive success, as thousands attended to welcome yet another year in the vibrant Austin scene. The Cosmic Clash team participated in both days of the festival and wanted to highlight what stood out to us about the extravaganza.

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Hispter prognosticator
CultureOpinionRobert Dean

Opinion: Eight predictions for Austin music and culture in 2026

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Because it’s the beginning of the year, I wanted to try something new. I’m going to make some predictions about things I think will happen over the next twelve months. I’m not a swami. This is just my best shot as someone who’s stood next to enough sweaty, drunk guys with bad opinions at countless shows for over thirty years. I can’t do worse than them. Jesus. I feel old just typing that

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