Congrats, stalwart Austinite! You’ve survived yet another work week and have earned the “Enjoy Live Music” reward. To help you cash in your points, we recommend two incredible festivals and a chilled out, retro-style band that defines Austin in more ways than one. Enjoy the weekend and listen local!
Friday, September 7
Dr. Joe rocked Maggie Mae’s during SXSW 2018 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Pennyfest 2018 w/Quiet Company, The Well, Darkbird, Dr. Joe, The Black and White Years, much more
@ Barracuda (611 E. 7th St.) – Doors 7:30 p.m. – Tickets
So many bands, so little time, all of them absolutely awesome! This year’s Pennyfest, presented by the fine folks at Penny Loafer PR, is a tour-de-force of local musical awesomeness. The bands playing are:
- Quiet Company – Intricate, lyrical hard rock
- The Well – Melodic heavy metal
- Darkbird – Theatrical hard rock
- Dr. Joe – Virtuoso piano blues and funk
- Lowin – Emotional, spacey indie rock
- The Black and White Years – Art rock with hints of electronic and New Wave vibe
- Star Parks – Dreamy synth pop
- Blushing – Moody shoegaze, one of my favorite local bands of the genre
- Scott Collins – Americana singer/songwriter
- Chill Russell – Loud, brash alternative rock
Saturday, September 8
Mopac delivers chilled out soul rock with a distinctive retro vibe (Credit: Donny Tidmore Photography)
Mopac w/Marfa Crush, Midcentury
@ The ABGB (1305 W. Oltorf St.) – 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. – Facebook event
Laid-back chill/funk with a decidedly Austin vibe, Mopac’s sound fits the city it was born in. Tunes like “Dead Bone Strut” float along a touchy, smoothed out groove, while “Kayfabe” is the bouncy, buoyant soundtrack to a summer walk along Barton Springs.
Simplistic yet sweet with a mellow ’60s vibe, Mopac makes the sort of music I expected more of when I moved here from the dreary northeast. Energetic, yet relaxed, and uniquely Austin.
Also playing: Marfa Crush and Midcentury.
Sunday, September 9
Kalu & the Electric Joint stunned The Parish during SXSW 2018 (Credit: Bill Tucker)
Waterloo Music Festival w/Kalu & The Electric Joint, Hard Proof, Sour Bridges, Deadeye, more
@ Carson Creek Ranch (9507 Sherman Road) – 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m – Tickets
Finish the weekend strong with a Sunday Funday at Carson Creek Ranch and some ridiculously good music. Running Friday through Sunday, Waterloo Music Festival is a celebration of jam bands, good vibes, and a healthy dose of local flavor.
From the ATX side of the lineup, Kalu & the Electric Joint’s signature blend of ’60s psych and new age soul leads the way, followed closely by the brassy funk of Hard Proof and Sour Bridges’ bluegrass twang.
And don’t forget Austin’s beloved Grateful Dead tribute band, Deadeye. A wonderful to way to close out the weekend with rad people and killer music.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What local show are you looking forward to most in Austin this weekend?
