The steamy streets of Austin, Texas, will be alive with fine local music all weekend long. Our handpicked favorites include a brain-blowing festival, driving 80’s synth pop, and sensitive, emotional Americana. All excellent, all accessible, and, most importantly, all local. Enjoy the weekend!
June 15-17
Mobley rocking RAS Day at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Solstice Fest
@ Pan Am Park (2100 E. 3rd St.) and locations around Austin
One of the most diverse festivals of the year, Solstice Fest descends on Austin this weekend with a jam-packed lineup. Local favorites like The Bright Light Social Hour, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Bayonne, Leopold and his Fiction, CAPYAC, Riders Against the Storm, Mobley, and dozens more will be playing sets all around town. The full band lineup can be found at solsticeatx.com and GA tickets are still available as of this writing.
Friday, June 16
Night Drive’s SXSW set was a driving force of Euro-pop goodness
Night Drive – Record Release Party
@ Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.)
If you’re not adventuring out for Solstice Fest, Austin’s masters of moody 80’s synth are a phenomenal second choice. Night Drive will be celebrating its self-titled debut record with an evening of electronic groove, touching lyrics, and soaring keyboard harmonies. The group’s new single, “Trapeze Artist Regrets,” drips with “Knight Rider” keyboard lines and pulses with a driving, robotic heartbeat. One of my favorite sets from SXSW 2016, Night Drive is a must-listen.
Saturday, June 17
The Wheelwrights (Credit: Celena Hart)
The Wheelwrights – Record Release Show
@ Cactus Cafe (2247 Guadalupe St.)
The Wheelwrights are everything I love about Americana music. Lush harmonies, tight instrumentation, and a varied sound separates this ATX threesome from the pack. Their new record, “A Forest In Trees,” is a satisfying listen as it bounces from soulful folk to jumping bluegrass in the space of a song. Opening with Fleet Foxes-flavored “Ashes” and closing with the mournful finger-picking of “Dust,” this album is a beautiful front-to-back listen. Expect a fine night of music during their Cactus Cafe celebration.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What local music are you planning to catch this weekend in Austin?