The Austinot Weekend Concert Picks: Feb. 22-23, 2019

Another week closer to SXSW 2019 and the initial rumblings are being felt. Before the ground swells with toe-tapping tourists, make your way downtown and indulge in some badge-free live music. This weekend, we recommend classic Americana, hook-heavy indie rock, and an exuberant Latin music showcase that must be heard to be believed. Enjoy the weekend and listen local!

Friday, Feb. 22

 

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A post shared by Harvest Thieves (@harvestthieves) on Dec 31, 2018 at 1:55pm PST

Harvest Thieves w/Western Youth, Otis Wilkins, Ben Ballinger

@ Hotel Vegas (1502 E. 6th St.) – 9 p.m. – Facebook event

While this may be the fourth time I’ve featured Americana experts Harvest Thieves in my weekly picks, I simply can’t help it. Clever lyrics wrapped around four-on-the-floor rhythms and Western picking and plucking, this country six-piece is pure magic. From the Southern rock-tinged “Bob Dylan’s 78th Hangover” to the banjo-propelled slow burn “I Killer Laura Palmer,” Harvest Thieves evokes memories of the past and hopes for the future in equal measure.

Also playing are Americana act Western Youth, Otis Wilkins of Otis the Destroyer, and folk singer Ben Ballinger.

Cosmico album release w/ A. Sinclair, Slomo Drags

 

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A post shared by C O S M I C O (@cosmicoband) on Dec 18, 2018 at 1:05pm PST

@ Empire Control Room (605 E. 7th St.) – 9 p.m. – Tickets

Feel good indie rock with a knack for joyous hooks and clever lyrics, Cosmico celebrates the release of its new record “Overthinker Know It All’ this Friday at Empire. The album’s opener, “Ivory Coast,” straddles screaming guitars and mid-tempo drum thump like a bouncing carousel. Meanwhile, “Constant Blur” adds tight synth lines to the party, allowing the lead singer’s Dylan-esqe vocals to truly shine. Pure indie ear candy, Cosmico’s newest releases has it poised for big things in 2019.

Also playing are rockers A. Sinclair and Slomo Drags.

Saturday, Feb. 23

 

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A post shared by Frederico7Music (@frederico7music) on Nov 17, 2018 at 8:06pm PST

Frederico7 album release w/Cilantro Boombox, Maracatu Texas, Manolo Black, Kiko Villamizar

@ Empire Control Room (605 E. 7th St.) – 8 p.m. – Tickets

A scorching melange of Latin jazz, wah-wah funk, and Brazilian rhythms, Frederico7 blazes stages with the best of Austin’s world music scene. The group’s debut record, “Exotico Americano,” touches so many genres, it’s nearly impossible to describe. The opening title track warbles and flows along a bed of funk guitars and soaring vocals, while “Samba Revelation” stays true to the promises of its title with crisp percussion and rich instrumentation. One of the pleasant discoveries that makes this series so much fun, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a more joyful show this Saturday.

Also playing are world music luminaries Cilantro Boombox, Maracatu Texas, Manolo Black, and Kiko Villamizar.

 

@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Where will you be going for live music in Austin this weekend?