Live Music to See This Weekend

Not sure if you heard, but Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. As such, there are scads of auditory options at any given time. Here's a little guidance to help you through your weekend.

Night Drive Album Release

Cheer Up Charlies
Fri., June 16, 9pm

Have you met future wave/synth-pop duo Night Drive? Recent excellence from Austin’s Rodney Connell and Brandon Duhon, “Trapeze Artist Regrets,” sets the tone of their eponymous full-length debut with compositional acumen and luxurious melodies. SOS Fest associate/DJ Ian Orth leads a quartet promoting Sueños, a lushly grooving EP. Synth-soul trio Keeper blends harmonies with futuristic trip-hop. – Kahron Spearman

Colombian Night

Flamingo Cantina
Fri., June 16, 9pm

Previewing next weekend’s inaugural WEPA Cumbia Roots Festival at Kenny Dorham’s Backyard, Colombian Night on Sixth Street master classes said same topic – specifically a variety of cumbia anchored by the gaita flute. Festival organizer Kiko Villamizar pours stellar sophomore LP Aguas Frías, while hosting heroes from his boyhood home. Tradition preserves Trapiche de Colomboy and Paíto y los Gaiteros de Punta Brava, who formed in the coastal town of Cartagena in 1969, the co-headliners making a rare North American appearance. – Thomas Fawcett

Girlpool

Barracuda
Sat., June 17, 9pm

Girlpool’s sophomore album Powerplant, released via Epitaph’s Anti imprint last month, lives up to its title. Originally a sparse sound delivered in quick songs via L.A. guitar/bass duo Cleo Tucker and Harmony Tividad’s shrill harmonies, Girlpool’s grown sonically. Their sharp, freaky, often uneasy folk-punk has given way to Nineties grunge fleshed out by a pulsing percussion section. – Libby Webster

The Revolution

ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Sat., June 17, 8pm

Prince’s most versatile backing band has reunited to celebrate his timeless jewel Purple Rain. While the 1984 film smash and its soundtrack catapulted Wendy Melvoin, Lisa Coleman, Bobby Z., BrownMark, and Doctor Fink to superstardom, they also helped generate Around the World in a Day and Parade over the next two years. Traversing psychedelic funk-rock with a Minneapolis fervor, the band boasts Billboard’s platinum accolades. – Alejandra Ramirez

Solstice Festival

Various locations
Friday-Saturday, June 16-17

Now 4, Solstice Festival bolsters eccentric live acts converging music, art, and technology. Though the music starts on Thursday, the main events are on Saturday, with bands like JJ Grey & Mofro and Built to Spill leading the pack. Saturday is also the only day that the festival boasts free yoga, which may be a dealmaker (or breaker) for some. There are various venues being used, so be sure to plan your route ahead of time. – Katarina Brown

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Not impressed by our recommendations? Check our club listings and make up your own mind.