Before I jump into my concert picks, I want to wish all those affected by severe weather the very best as they begin to clean up and piece their lives back together. Fortunately, we have a vibrant music scene capable of transporting us above our current surroundings. That’s the magic of music.
This weekend, we recommend dreamy, soft indie pop, dance-tastic R&B/funk/soul, and theatrical ’80s electro-goth. Enjoy the weekend and listen local!
Friday, Oct. 26
Sun June’s moody, melancholy indie rock is as thoughtful as it is soothing (Credit: Bryan C. Parker)
Sun June w/PR Newman, Why Bonnie, Good Field, Ama
@ Cheer Up Charlies (900 Red River St.) – 9 p.m. – Facebook event
When a band lovingly dubs itself “regret pop,” you should know what you’re getting yourself into. In the case of Sun June, it’s sweet, sensitive indie rock tunes, dripping with sighing introspection and–yes–regret.
“Young” captures teenage naïvety with a healthy dose of up-tempo bop, while “Johnson City” paints a picture of longing for lost love, framed by the lonely streets of a forlorn city. The perfect soundtrack to our never-ending rain, crafted with smarts and a knack for killer hooks.
Also playing is ’60s-tinged rock act PR Newman, the laid-back pop of Why Bonnie, indie shoegaze band Good Field, and indie rockers Ama.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Jessie Liberty of Yuma delivers body-shaking funk, soul, and R&B (Credit: Belicia Luevano)
Yuma w/Lolita Lynne, Mountebank, Vacuum Repair
@ The Electric Church (5018 E. Cesar Chavez) – 9 p.m. – Facebook event
Yes! I’ve been dying to include Yuma in this series for what feels like years. I’m so glad the local band’s Saturday show at The Electric Church came across my desk. Blistering soul, R&B, and funk with chops for days, Yuma’s sound is pure party.
Vocalist and guitarist Jesse Liberty commands the stage with his soulful tenor and out-of-this-world guitar licks, while the backing band lays down a velvety blanket of horns, keys, and backing vocals. If fellow vocalist Ida Khojandpour doesn’t blow you away, then there’s something seriously awry.
If you’re still sitting quietly by the third song of the set, then check your ears for some sort of mad misconfiguration. Dancing not recommended. It’s required.
Sunday, Oct. 28
Alex Dugan of Culture Wars performs at The Parish during SXSW 2018 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Culture Wars in support of Robert DeLong
@ Scoot Inn (1308 E. 4th St.) – 7:30 p.m. – Tickets
Theatrical goth rock with driving beats, searing guitars, and lead vocalist Alex Dugan’s emotional tenor, Culture Wars screams with ’80s edge. Songs like the extraordinary “Money (Gimmie, Gimmie)” propels dance club beats, synth lines, and Nine Inch Nails guitars into a stratosphere of goth punk glam, while “Lies” flies from the speakers with an almost operatic vibe.
A great listen and an even better watch, Culture Wars is one of the rare openers that could also be closing.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
Where are you going for live, local music this weekend in Austin?
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