Another week, another weekend! As we find ourselves knee-deep in the swelter of summer, we’re fortunate to have an incredible music festival on the horizon. Hot Summer Nights 2 is the second edition of Red River Cultural District’s four-day celebration of Austin music, and the lineup is a who’s-who of local excellence. It was nigh impossible to pick only three shows from among the nearly 30, but I did my best.
Comment to tell us who you’ll be seeing this weekend in Austin. Listen local!
Friday, July 27
Golden Dawn Arkestra commands the stage (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Golden Dawn Arkestra w/Mamafesta, Hard Proof, Mobley, Trouble in the Streets
@ Stubbs (801 Red River) – 7 p.m. – Event page (free show)
How’s this for a fantastic Friday night? Take Austin’s premier afro-jazz funk band, combine it with a wealth of local talent, and make it a free show. Can’t loose!
The Arkestra’s latest record, “Children of the Sun,” is pure gold. The album’s titular song is a groovy, conga-peppered instant classic plucked from a Sun Ra record, while “The Wolf” delivers a message of defiance as a surf rock jammer.
Also playing: smooth groovers Mamafesta, world music party band Hard Proof, one-man musical magician Mobley, and hip hop group Trouble in the Streets.
Saturday, July 28
Leslie Sisson of Moving Panoramas rocks a midnight set at Cheer up Charlies (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Moving Panoramas w/Fragile Rock, SMiiLE, Sometimes a Legend
@ Empire Control Room Garage (606 E. 7th) – 8 p.m. – Event page (free show)
Carefully crafted indie pop with a dreamy, serene vibe, Moving Panoramas is always a joy to see live. The band’s most popular song, “One,” is an ’80s-style head nodder with Cure guitar lines and reverb-laced harmonies, while “Radar” takes it down a notch in a ’90s slacker emo tune plucked from an episode of “Daria.” Unique talents and one my favorite local bands.
Also playing: emo rockers/puppet masters Fragile Rock, avant garde indie pop group SMiiLE, and soul/funk band Sometimes a Legend.
Chief White Lightning w/Booher, Ghost Wolves, Altamesa
@ Mohawk (912 Red River) – 8 p.m. – Event page (free show)
Cleverly written Weezer-style rock in a rad white suit, Chief White Lightning balances the rock and roll chops of Rivers Cuomo with a genuine sense of old-fashioned fun. His main single, “Bleach Blond Heritage,” is a two-minute sparkler full of slamming riffs and double-tracked vocals.
Add to the mix alt rock act Booher, garage punk group Ghost Wolves, and rock and roll band Altamesa, and you have an exceptional show.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Where are you going for live, local music this weekend in Austin?
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