Last June, “the West Texas Beatles,” so dubbed by Cactus Cafe booker and the show’s promoter Griff Luneburg, stormed the Texas Union Ballroom like Joe Ely on tour with the Clash – at Shea Stadium. Ely, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Butch Hancock wore neither Mohawks nor matching attire, but in their tall Lubbock tales and Everly Brothers harmonies, the Threetles kicked it positively fab. Once-local Nashgrass trio the Greencards stand in for last year’s opener, Oscar-winner Ryan Bingham. – Raoul Hernandez
Built by Snow, Focus Group, Marmalakes, Federal! State! Local!
The 1960s get thoroughly groped tonight. The Carrots take the straight-ahead girl-group route, while the Hi-Tones, celebrating an EP release, go for the power-pop throat. New Austin trio Agent Ribbons unwinds the dark love songs of October’s Chateau Crone, sort of like the Ronettes with a steampunk fixation. English Teeth kicks things off with some Stones worship, and Lucy the Poodle spins era-appropriate tunes. – Audra Schroeder