Welcome to the weekend! As we settle back into our weekly grind, we often forget the important stuff: family, taxes, and live music. To help you with the latter, we recommend body-shaking world music, expressive, trippy soundscapes, and rootsy Americana. Enjoy the weekend and Austin’s amazing live music scene.
Friday, Jan. 12
Credit: Ex-Romantika
Latin Dance Party w/Ex-Romantika, Afrofreque, Timberos Del Norte, Este Vato
@ Stubb’s (801 Red River St.) – 8:30 p.m. – Free
Need a remedy for the January doldrums? Dance! Better yet, do so to the scorching samba/salsa rhythm and wail of Ex-Romantika. Funk, Latin jazz, and samba make up the meat of Ex-Romantika’s core sound. But with touches of big band, rock, and the occasional Carlos Santana guitar scream, your ears will be busy. And the boogie doesn’t stop there. The entire bill is chock-full of world music designed to make you move. If you’re fancying a dance, then look no further.
Saturday, Jan. 13
The Halfways w/Palm Daze, Geranimum Drive, Jack Ferrara
@ Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.) – 9 p.m. – Free
If thoughtful head-space music fills your dreams of a perfect Saturday night, then The Halfways at Cheer Up Charlies is your ticket to an amazing evening. Serene harmonies and sparse instrumentation manage to create evocative soundscapes. Imagine Fleet Foxes mixed with the folk chops of Iron & Wine, with a touch of Fleetwood Mac tossed in for good measure. And occasionally they’ll rock your socks off. Pure dream music.
Beth Lee and the Breakups
@ Riley’s Tavern (8894 FM1102, New Braunfels, TX) – 8 p.m.
To those fearing a slow and steady demise of Americana country in the Austin music scene, come off the ledge and check out Beth Lee and the Breakups! Tunes like “Baby, It’s Alright” jump with Broken Spoke swing, while “Bellville County Line” chugs along a railroad drum beat with power and energy. My favorite is “Keep Your Mouth Shut,” a smoky slow burn full of rasp, soul, and country groove. With a sound that’s both familiar yet unique at the same time, Beth Lee will help you believe in country once again.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Where are you going for live, local music this weekend in Austin?
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