Wednesday, August 5, 2026

rock n roll

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.

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Music NewsOpinionRobert Dean

Music News: Rest in Peace to the Irish Troubadour Glen Hansard

The world lost a real, dyed-in-the-wool character of the streets with the unfortunate loss of Glen Hansard. Hansard died in a motorcycle crash outside Dublin on July 29, 2026, at just 56 years old.

Hansard made music for the lost, the broken-hearted, but also the hopeful. Getting his start as a busker playing around Dublin, Hansard gained the kind of wisdom only allowed for those willing to give themselves over to the songs, and through his trials and tribulations, the world got something beautiful in return.

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OpinionRobert Dean

Thank you Lou Koller and Sick of It All

Unfortunately, that September, it was back. He kept going anyway, through what would have been the band’s 40th year together, the band he’d started with his brother in Queens back in 1986. He died on July 24, 2026, at 59, the disease finally outrunning him after two years of him refusing to let it define the band or the music. His bandmates put it simply: his fight was over, and he could finally rest.

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Case CockrellLive MusicPhotos

Photo Gallery: Hot Summer Nights 2026 brought the heat to Austin’s Red River District

The annual sweat-fest, Hot Summer Nights 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 neighborhood non-profit presents the free showcases to keep venues and other establishments busy during the summer slow period in both the service and music industries for employees and musicians until the things pick back up in the Fall.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Tomahawk and Melvins descended on a sold-out Emo’s

Mike Patton has spent three decades collecting bands like other people collect vinyl, and every one of them draws the same crowd, showing up less for the setlist than for whatever version of Patton decides to appear. This time it was Nashville’s Tomahawk, and the Monday, July 20 stop at Emo’s Austin sold out fast. After a canceled Sick New World Festival in 2025 for the band’s 25th anniversary, Tomahawk’s reunion after 12 years off took a backseat until now.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music preview: Hot Summer Nights promises Austin music discovery this weekend

The annual Hot Summer Nights in the Red River Cultural District of Austin is a RRCD-sponsored event that features hundreds

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Metal veterans Corrosion of Conformity rocked Far Out Lounge

It’s July in Texas. means it dsis a season of hiding inside until the deadly laser we call the sun disappears before even remotely considering an outdoor venture. Outdoor shows in Austin are a tall order, but for the return of North Carolina metal veterans Corrosion of Conformity, exceptions can be made. The Raleigh heavy-hitters made their way to South Austin on July 8 at The Far Out Lounge & Stage to deliver a career-spanning set, backed by an opening bill that paved the way in furious fashion. During an usually slow season for live music, both older heads and the young ones made their way to the homegrown Austin backyard for some metal riffs on a sweaty Wednesday night.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicReview

Live music review: Shakey Graves headlined Utah Arts Fest Saturday with a huge crowd

On the 50th Anniversary of Utah Arts Festival, Salt Lake City’s premier annual arts event chose to host Austin folk-Americana artist, Shakey Graves on Saturday, June 21 on the street adjacent to Library Square in the downtown civic center area. As huge fans of Graves’ since his return to Austin from Los Angeles where he was pursuing an acting career we’ve seen his steady ascent in music.

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Greg AckermanLive MusicPreview

Live music preview: Five bands to see at The DLC’s first Pogo Fest

One of the cooler spots to check out live music in Salt Lake City is The DLC, a small-capacity live music venue situated inside Quarters Arcade Bar downtown in the heart of SLC’s nascent live music corridor.  The room is intimate, cool and you can battle your homie at Mortal Kombat after the show. This Saturday, June 20 the venue is hosting their first ever Pogo Fest to highlight the great psych-rock and similar acts the venue is booking. Aside from The DLC the area includes venues; International Artists Bar, and SLC Pub . Those locations along with a an outdoor stage at Exchange Place will serve as the four stages for Pogo Fest which is highlighting psych-rock and psych adjacent acts from Salt Lake City for the most part. We picked out five bands to see from the 20-plus artists line-up for SLC concertgoers. The mini-fest is an ideal way for local fans to get to know some of the better up and coming acts playing the growing Salt Lake music scene. Advance tickets are available via 24 Tix.

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