Welcome to the weekend, Austin! If you can’t stay cool outside, you might as well feel cool watching our local musicians do what they do best. This time around, we recommend a local legend record release celebration, standout gig during a Red River extravaganza, and local singer/songwriter on the brink of a breakout year. Have a smashing weekend and listen local!
Friday, July 26
Spoon
@ Waterloo Records (600 N. Lamar Blvd.) – 1 p.m. – Announcement
Legends of Austin indie for over two decades, Spoon ranks among the finest talents our music scene has even produced. From classic tracks like the breakout single “The Way We Get By,” to new hits like “Hot Thoughts,” “Inside Out,” and last month’s “No Bullets Spent,” Britt Daniel and crew continue to churn out quality music on an annual basis.
It’s fitting the group’s next release is a greatest hits compilation, a rarity in this era of automated Spotify playlists and Pandora recommendations. The trim 12-track record includes all of the above tracks, along with personal favorites “I Turn My Camera On” and “Everything Hits at Once,” off 2001’s “Girls Can Tell” album.
In celebration of this new compilation, Spoon is playing a brisk show and signing this Friday at Waterloo Records. Take a half day off from work, run to North Lamar, and start your weekend early with our hometown heroes.
Saturday, July 27
Hot Summer Nights w/..And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead, Moving Panoramas, Caroline Says, Curtis Roush
@ Stubbs Outdoor (801 Red River St.) – 7 p.m. – Event page
In case you were unaware, this entire weekend is jammed to the rafters with fantastic local music thanks to Hot Summer Nights, an annual free music series in the storied Red River District. Over 100 bands will be playing shows across eight venues from Thursday to Sunday. It’s going to be amazing.
With respect to the jam-packed lineup, if I could only catch one show on Saturday, it would be this one at Stubbs. While the theatrical power rock of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead takes top billing, music from Moving Panoramas, Caroline Says, and Curtis Roush of Bright Light Social Hour make this a well-rounded evening of world class music.
But don’t limit your weekend to just this performance. Cruise the full lineup here.
Sunday, July 28
Nichole Wagner
@ Saxon Pub (1320 S. Lamar Blvd.) – 3 p.m. – Tickets
Sunday afternoons are a beautiful time of day to listen to awesome music, and this weekend is no exception. An Americana artist of range, power, and exceptional songcraft, Nichole Wagner takes no prisoners with her honest, homegrown storytelling style.
“Dynamite” extols the struggle of the small town worker through a gritty country tune, while “Rules of Baseball” uses America’s pastime as a metaphor for a failed relationship. “Yellow Butterfly” is a personal highlight, as it wraps a seemingly tender acoustic folk tune in the dread and uncertainty created by guitar stabs, string squeals, and off-kilter piano.
Spend your Sunday Funday with this standout talent. You won’t be disappointed.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What local music are you planning to catch this weekend in Austin?
We always have unique content on the Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like event tickets, gift certificates, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter two times/month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here!
