Monday, April 21, 2025

Review

Michael MalyReview

Live music review: Courtney Barnett and Here and There Festival at ACL Live

This past Thursday evening in Austin, found the Courtney Barnett curated, Here and There Festival planting it’s all female fronted bands version of the revolving lineup on the ACL Live Moody stage. While the constantly changing touring artists has featured the likes of Wet Leg, Fred Armisen, Lucy Dacus, Snail Mail, Japanese Breakfast, Bartees Strange, just to name a few of the many diverse artists making some of the most impactful music today, Austin fans were treated to support acts Ethel Cain and Indigo Souza on this night as they were warmed up the audience for the main act, Melbourne’s Courtney Barnett. 

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Japan’s Boris destroyed Empire Garage, Megafauna played Chess Club after show

Guitar-heavy noise rockers, Boris visited Empire Garage August 25 for a stop on their Heavy Rock Breakfast tour with support from Philadelphia’s Nothing. Needless to say, it was an evening of loudness that fans felt in their organs at various points during the intense, 15-song set headliners Boris delivered.

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Greg AckermanReview

Live music review: Lyle Lovett and his Large Band taped ACL TV episode, invited Chris Isaak

There’s only one Texas artist who has played more Austin City Limits TV episodes for the Austin PBS show than Lyle Lovett and it’s none other than Willie Nelson. If that says anything about Lovett’s impact on Texas music then he’s a bona fide legend on the television show which set out to feature the unique brand of music Texas artists have been making in the Lone Star state. The man just recorded his 17th appearance on the show and 12th as a solo act last Wednesday at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin.

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Michael MalyReview

Live music review: UK indie rock heroes Echo and the Bunnymen played ACL Live on Saturday

Echo and The Bunnymen took the ACL Live at the Moody Stage in Austin this past Saturday night, executing a show that could easily be titled, “A Tale of Two Types.”  Essentially the Bunnymen pulled off what any experienced act should be able to execute… a set that pleases everyone.

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Jess StrohReview

Live music review: Father John Misty at Moody Amphitheater

On Friday, August 12, the crowd at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Greenway (formerly Waterloo Park), was treated to an electric three hours of music on a colorful stage set in contrast against the dark downtown Austin sky. While a full moon shone down from above, the audience swayed and cheered to Father John Misty and Suki Waterhouse’s captivating performances. 

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Michael MalyReview

Live music review: Boy Harsher thrilled a sold-out Empire Garage

The sold-out crowd at Empire Control Room last Friday night was treated to an electronic, ambient music voyage by composer, performer Hiro Kone as the anticipation for headliners Boy Harsher was slowly increasing as the hour grew closer. The band last took the stage in Austin, in this same venue during the 2021 Levitation Festival and the hearty reception they received less than a year ago indicated the band’s rise in popularity.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Live music review: A ruckus at Chess Club July 1 with Dregs, Leche and Richard

Not long after sunset on July 1, members of Richard, Dregs, and Leche hung out on the back patio at Chess Club, chatting with band mates, catching up with friends, and preparing for their respective evening sets. The dimly-lit, intimate room set the perfect stage for a punk showcase.

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Drew DoggettReview

Live music review: Fleet Foxes brought fireworks to Moody Amp 4th of July weekend

Seattle’s Fleet Foxes debut received similar lazy comparisons to Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon and Garfunkel reincarnate. While it’s great company, the band has routinely broken the mold in each album cycle, challenging themselves to push the outer edges of their competence and confidence. On July 3 at Moody Amphitheater, they demonstrated why harmony-rich folk-rock can be sophisticated and breathtaking.

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