The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: August 3-4, 2018

Happy August, brave soldiers of the Austin music scene! According to the calendar, we’re on the downward slope of our “surface of the sun” weather pattern. But we locals know better. We’ll be dealing with this summer swelter until November.

To keep things as cool as humanly possible this weekend, we recommend you check out a pair of aggressive hip hop producers, local soul/funk, and a classic blues/rocker’s CD release show. Dig the music and listen local!

Friday, August 3

NGHT HCKLRS w/Fort Never, Interrobang, more

@ Sahara Lounge (1413 Webberville Road) – 10 p.m. to 12:45 a.m. – Facebook event

Dark, intense, and dripping with a synth/hop grind culled straight from the depths of your nightmares, NGHT HCKLERS is pure hip hop fire. While their work with ATX hip hop luminaries like Zeale have gained them local acclaim, tracks from the 2017 EP “HaHaHaHaHaHaHa” combines classic trap beats with smart samples, and the aforementioned evil synth. To truly appreciate NGHT HCKLRS, you need to experience a live set. Do so Friday at east side Sahara Lounge.

Also playing: soul/pop act Fort Never, Interrobang brass band, and a variety of assorted DJs filling out the sets.

Saturday, August 4

Ray Prim w/Graham Wilkinson, Paul Oscher

@ Continental Club (1315 S. Congress Ave.) – 8 p.m. – Event page

My appreciation for and admiration of the wonderful Ray Prim have been heavily documented on this blog, but let me say it again. If you’ve never seen Prim and the band play live, then make Continental Club a mandatory visit this Saturday. A spicy blend of soul, pop, rock, and funk, Ray Prim’s diverse music remains grounded in smooth vocals and genuine heart. All it takes is one listen of the heartfelt point/counterpoint ballad “Hey” or the southern soul jam “Find a Suit” to make you a fan for life.

Also playing: folk rock virtuoso Graham Wilkinson and blues legend Paul Oscher.

➡️ Keep reading: Ray Prim Celebrates New Record During Soul-filled Set at North Door

Ian Moore w/ Eric Tessmer

@ Antone’s Nightclub (305 E. 5th St.) – 8 p.m. – Tickets

There’s nothing better than listening to masters perform. At the age of 50, Ian Moore is better than ever as time marches on. This birthday event is also a celebration of Moore’s newest EP “Toronto,” a six-song tour de force of blues rock.

Tunes like “You Gotta Know” blister with fuzz guitar and staccato drum shots, while “Looking for the Sound” is reminiscent of a ’70s-era pop/rock jam. Classic without feeling dated, Ian Moore’s latest effort is easy to recommend to anybody who digs old school rock-a-blues with an edge.

Also playing: ATX guitar virtuoso Eric Tessmer.

 

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Where are you going for live, local music this weekend in Austin?