Thursday, March 5, 2026

mohawk

Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

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

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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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

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

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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Case CockrellLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Free Week starts January 9 with over 80 bands

Free Week in Austin’s Red River Cultural District returns this coming weekend on January 9 and 10, bringing yet another array of cover-free showcases to the downtown area to kick off 2026 with live music from the city’s fruitful scene. The event will feature a baker’s dozen venues and over 80 performing artists to showcase Austin’s nightlife. The RRCD is managed by the Red River Merchants’ Association, a coalition of over forty local small businesses found within the District, which include not only live music venues, restaurants, hotels, retail shops, and other small businesses, but also the Austin Symphony Orchestra, First Baptist Church, German-Texan Heritage Society, and Waterloo Greenway.​

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: 90s alt-rockers Belly resurfaced at Mohawk to celebrate King album 30th anniversary

The 1990s saw many monumental alternative rock and indie releases that many music fans, new and old, hold dear. For some, it’s The Lonesome Crowded West by Modest Mouse, Slanted & Enchanted by Pavement, or Dolittle by Pixies. There are too many hidden gems that fly under the radar, however, proving that we as music lovers, need to go crate-digging at our favorite record stores a lot more often. For Rhode Island’s Belly’s second album, King, a body of work with the underrated alt-rock icons exists, featuring crossover membership with the likes of Throwing Muses, L7, and The Breeders. With this seminal rock and roll legacy in mind, Belly released the now 30-year-old record in 1995 and disbanded shortly after. In 2016, the New England-hailing quartet reunited for another record and has since embarked on an anniversary tour to commemorate the now landmark release. On Wednesday, December 11 in the Red River Cultural District at scene staple Mohawk, fans both old-school and new were treated to a two-set experience by Belly that included that penultimate sophomore effort and other offerings from their scant but worthwhile catalogue.

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Live MusicReviewRobert Dean

Live music review: Murder City Devils brought rock and roll fury to Mohawk

I love a show where the band is not there to fuck around. No small talk, no rare material, no rambling monologues about the world. Just pure rock and roll fury. At the Mohawk on Sunday, November 23, The Murder City Devils crashed into Planet Austin and left no survivors. The band barely tours anymore—just fly-in one-offs where they show up, sell the same three merch designs they’ve had for twenty years, and play the hits.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Emo originals Cap n Jazz played Mohawk last Monday

The Midwest Emo Kinsella dynasty feels everlasting in 2025. For this outing, the emo originals Cap’n Jazz made their way to Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District on Monday night to assert a legacy that proved undeniable for an endless gauntlet of bands that came after them. Frontman Tim Kinsella, guitarist Nate Kinsella, and drummer Mike Kinsella remain a staying force within their niche. With all the records between them, the music has never halted, with over 35 years of nonstop creativity and touring. With bands like Owls, American Football, Joan of Arc, Owen, and many more making up their rotation of projects throughout the last few decades, the Kinsellas feel like they can’t miss. 

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong packed Mohawk last Friday

Baltimore funk jam outfit Pigeons Playing Ping Pong soared into Austin for another musical extravaganza, their third visit since 2022, in celebration of their eighth studio LP Feed The Fire. This time, the venue of choice came in the form of Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District on Friday night. Over the three-hour excursion, fans from all kinds of music spheres made their way to pack out the downtown Austin venue for two sets of pure joy. With loyalists being dubbed,”The Flock,” the level of fan inclusiveness was palpable throughout the packed venue for an episode of victorious energy. 

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Case CockrellInterviewsLive Music

Interview: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong talk Austin, Domefest and touring in 2025

Baltimore funk institution Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are a staying force in the world of jam bands. Rounded out by singer and guitarist Greg “Scrambled Greg” Ormont, bassist Ben Carrey, guitarist Jeremy Schon, and drummer Alex “Gator” Petropulos, the road warriors from Maryland aren’t accustomed to taking any time off since their inception 17 years ago. Ahead of their show at Mohawk on Friday, November 14 in the famed Red River Cultural District in downtown Austin, The Cosmic Clash caught up with Ormont and Carrey to discuss their storied career and thoughts about  Austin’s vibe

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Boris brought metal shapeshifting to Mohawk

Heavy metal in 2025 is in a healthy, hell-charged state. Bands are experimenting with the genre like Deafheaven, Full of Hell, Sunn O))), and even Austin acts like Portrayal of Guilt. For Tokyo, Japan’s Boris, a wave of extreme metal shapeshifting has paved the way for an everlasting gauntlet that’s redefining heavy music for 2025. With releases that dabble in drone metal, doom metal, and noise/experimental rock, Boris arrived for a Tuesday night gig in downtown Austin that came as a stop on their US tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their landmark tenth studio album Pink. For their third local appearance in two years, the Japanese berserkers stormed the stage at Mohawk in the Red River Cultural District yet again to astronomical results. 

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Live MusicReviewTroy Gonzales

Live music review: Unwound marked 30 years of The Future of What at Mohawk

On Thursday September 11, one of the 90’s most influential post-hardcore bands, Unwound played at the Mohawk as part of their ‘30 Years of The Future of What’ tour, which would see the band play their third album in it’s entirety. Admittedly, I had not seen them live during their heyday, but this time around I would not let the opportunity slip away again.

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