Yard Dog 30th Anniversary Show
Friday 5, Continental Club; Saturday 6, Yard Dog Gallery
Purveyor of arts from fine to pop, Yard Dog celebrates 30 years showcasing sensational artists with a – you’re not gonna believe this – showcase of sensational artists. The party starts kicking on Friday with a show at Continental Club featuring strumming from rockers Ice Cold Singles, the post-punk-influenced Wild Seeds, and Jon Langford & the Far Forlorn, who also make an appearance at Saturday night’s opening reception for the Dog’s anniversary group show. They join the live music lineup alongside Rico Bell and Deano Waco, while on the walls artists like Jane Reichle, Krissy Teegerstrom, and Mikki Itzigsohn (among many others) get featured. There’ll also be an Eric Bellis retrospective, a Yard-Dog-through-the-years slideshow, folk art in the new trailer out back, and probably new memories being made as year 31 looms in the not-so-distant future. – James Scott
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute Show: Brown Sabbath
Friday 5, Mohawk
“A staple of rock & metal,” texts Beto Martinez, majordomo for Grupo Fantasma, Brownout, and Money Chicha, “who seemed too legendary to die and who gave us his approval to do what we do with his work.” What the Latinate guitarist did with Brownout, aka Brown Sabbath, inhabited the same realm as Carlos Santana opening his sole ACL Live visit covering AC/DC’s “Back in Black.” The band met Mr. Crowley via Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour, filmed in 2017 at Ginny’s Little Longhorn. Here, ATX doom romantics the Well open, and don’t miss the vintage Oz/Sabs vintage T-shirt contest. “Ozzy came and watched us play, then played Chicken Shit Bingo.” – Raoul Hernandez
Pixies
Friday 5, Moody Amphitheater
Sex and aliens and the Bible and that loudQUIETloud formula – it’s hard to overstate the influence of the Pixies on more than one generation of Subbacultchas. From the crash-in crisp drums of Surfer Rosa to the bubblegum magic of Doolittle to the Lynchian surrealism of Bossanova to the scorched-earth surf of Trompe le Monde, the band’s original, most iconic lineup – Francis, Deal, Santiago, Lovering – gave Cobain the tools for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and forged an enduring Alternative Nation. Deal’s long gone, but the band continues to plow through their ever-growing catalog in fever-dream, near-wordless sets of pop and existentialism. – Carys Anderson
The Speaker Wars
Friday 5, the 04 Center
Can Texas now claim a Heartbreaker? Stan Lynch met Tom Petty in Gainesville, but decades after leaving the Southern rock innovators behind, the drummer met the Dallas-born Jon Christopher Davis. Along with guitarist Jay Michael Smith, bassist Brian Patterson, percussionist Steve Ritter, and keyboardist Jay Brown, the artists form the Speaker Wars, a new yet familiar vehicle for twangy guitar chug who recorded their self-titled debut with Mike Pisterzi in – get this! – Denton. The Americana-tinged rockers roll into the 04 Center with support from the Andy Timmons Band. – Carys Anderson
Chest Pain, Imminent End, Kuru, Tank Division
Friday 5, 29th Street Ballroom
Late-night (start time is 11pm), hardcore shenanigans return to a perfect room for such goings-on. Starting with the openers, Tank Division plays traditional straight edge hardcore. Kuru leans more in a powerviolence direction (both of those bands are at the demo stage). Imminent End is more in the deathgrind vein with Neanderthal riffs and guttural roaring. Which brings us to the almighty Chest Pain. They have been kicking around since 2009 but have been unusually active this year. Kids, this is the real deal; take a nap, and drink all the coffee. – Joe Gross
Crescendo: An Austin Gay Men’s Chorus Benefit
Saturday 6, KMFA
The roots of every gay men’s chorus are grounded in community celebration. Austin’s version has been here, been queer, and continues to joyfully sing resistance with every glorious note. Now, decades past its founding, it’s still as vital as ever to fight against tyranny through song. Join host Trevor Scott in a cabaret-style evening with songs by the chorus with soprano Sarajane Dailey. Demonstrate with your dollar in this sweetly saucy celebration of true freedom. – Cat McCarrey
Bat Fest 2025
Saturday 6, Congress Bridge
Do you hear the flutter of nocturnal wings thundering through ye olde Austin Downtown? Well, that just means Bat Fest’s back. Created to educate Austinites on their winged cohabitors, aka bats, the family-friendly festival gathers on the bridge beneath which over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live. Hopefully they’re not too annoyed with the noise, as Bat Fest promises performances by Silversun Pickups, Waka Flocka Flame, RiFF RAFF, and many other musical artists alongside DJ sets and the Austin Bats Dance Team. Plus, a kids area, food and drink vendors, arts & craft booths, and a costume contest where the best bat looks win $100 and other prizes. – James Scott
West Texas Exiles Album Release
Saturday 6, Sagebrush
“I spent 8000 days in the desert/ Somehow I got away, now I can’t go home,” the West Texas Exiles croon on the opening title track to their debut LP, 8000 Days – an apt intro for the locally transplanted quintet. Featuring a core trio of songwriters in Marco Gutierrez, Daniel Davis, and Colin Gilmore, the Exiles lean more toward Band of Heathens than Flatlanders, with an array of influences from trad punk to indie folk that filter into the country bent of their road-running rockers and bruised ballads. Caroline Hale and Nether Hour bookend support for the release show. – Doug Freeman
Sounds of Africa With Elizabeth Kahura
Saturday 6, African American Cultural & Heritage Facility
For African Immigrant Heritage Month, Austin Public Library brings in one of Austin’s foremost experts to lead an engaging workshop on African music, dance, and instruments. Elizabeth Kahura, founder of the African Safari Program, was born in Kenya and now shares her cultural knowledge via storytelling, singing, and performance. At this workshop, learn all about music from different parts of Africa, and even create your own instrument. – Kat McNevins
The Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival
Sunday 7, The Far Out Lounge & Stage
We’ve been torturing taste buds for 35 years now, so you think we’d be used to the heat. Yet we – and all y’all – sweat it out every year. Local and national heat makers converge to showcase new and classic tastes suitable for any palate at this hot-sauce celebration conjured up by us, the Chron crew. If your taste buds need a break, there’s food and beverages that live somewhat lower on the Scoville scale. Live music from Gran Moreno, West Texas Exiles, Los Desechos, and Mira Mira ensures that your ears aren’t jealous of all the attention your tongue is getting. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite spicy condiments, assuming the heat hasn’t gotten to your head. – James Renovitch
Conan, Anciients
Sunday 7, Come and Take It Live
Reached at midnight in March, Liverpool’s fifth best band after the Beatles, Echo & the Bunnymen, Carcass, and Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Conan lounges backstage in Bangkok. “Ridiculously hot,” grins Evertonian doom fantasist Jon Davis, seated next to ex-Fudge Tunnel bassist David Ryley. “Definitely humid.” Ditto sixth slab since ’06, massive doom event Violence Dimension. Paired with Vancouver’s extreme prog hammers Anciients – imagine Rush as a death metal act – whose breakout third LP Beyond the Reach of the Sun will solar flare their merch table, Conan ought to outweigh its previous local showing at the old Lost Well. “We all bought shorts yesterday,” revealed Davis. You’ll need ’em. – Raoul Hernandez
francene rouelle Album Release
Sunday 7, 29th Street Ballroom
Heartbreak and self-reflection, fairy-tale falsetto and bubblegum synths – francene rouelle’s off the carousel has everything you’re looking for in a deliciously danceable sad-girl pop record. With an artful blend of poised vocal trills and authentic emotiveness, these eight tracks were made for bedroom karaoke and cathartic concert sing-alongs, like the one you could be sharing with the crowd at this release performance. The stylish singer will celebrate her sophomore record with support from R&B-influenced fellow mHart signee Allie Arnaez and Dallas-based independent songwriter and producer Xysza Love. – Caroline Drew
The Hives
Monday 8, Stubb’s
Yes, sir! The return of the Swedish garage revivalists, who for five minutes owned the world with “Hate to Say I Told You So,” which sounded like Pink Flag-era Wire covering early Kinks. (Or was it the other way around?) They’re back with The Hives Forever Forever the Hives (released on Aug. 29 via Play It Again Sam), produced by Mike D and Pelle Gunnerfeldt, with Josh Homme in the mix. Expect high-energy chaos, new singles like “Enough Is Enough” and “Legalize Living,” plus Jack White-endorsed Nashville sugar-rush egg-punks Snõõper opening. – Tim Stegall
Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra
Tuesday 9, Bass Concert Hall
Jeff Goldblum might be the perfect modern Renaissance man, with a successful and varied film career starring in box office hits like Jurassic Park and Independence Day as well as various Wes Anderson films, cult classics like The Fly, and smaller gems like Igby Goes Down. He’s been an internet boyfriend into his 70s with seemingly eternal charm, dramatic range, and class, and continues to act in franchises like Wicked and the MCU. Beyond being one of the most beloved actors ever, he’s also an accomplished pianist and somehow found the time to start an orchestra 30 years ago, which has since gone on to perform jazz standards worldwide. What better plan could you have for a random Tuesday than to hear Jeff tickle the ivories? – Lina Fisher
Swans
Wednesday 10, Mohawk
There’s no other band like Swans. Though leader Michael Gira’s vision contains recognizable elements – menacing drones, dreamy melodies, seething anxiety, and loud/soft dynamics that will give your cochlea aural whiplash – he molds them into a truly distinctive sound. Birthing, the NYC ensemble’s latest album, holds up in both tone and quality within their 35-year catalog. Gira claims that this will be the final tour for this version of the band and that the next incarnation will be less extreme. So this might be your last chance to have your ears shattered and mind blown. Little Annie and Paul Wallfisch open. – Michael Toland
Unwound
Thursday 11, Mohawk
Rarely has a reissue project breathed new life into a once-defunct band more than Unwound. The hard-touring, prog-punk trio released seven thoughtful, explosive albums and notched more than 500 shows in a decade or so, then called it quits in 2002 only a tad more popular than they were when they started. After Numero Group reissued the band’s entire catalog with plenty of bonus material in 2014, original members Justin Trosper and Sara Lund – bassist/shouter Vern Rumsey died in 2020 – hit the road with Jared Warren and Scott Seckington. This tour celebrates 30 years of The Future of What, which remains ferocious and moving. With Austin’s Unwound-influenced Porcelain. – Joe Gross
Synth Salon
Thursday 11 – Sunday 14, Crashbox
Crashbox’s Synth Salon series returns for a second year of open freeform nighttime salon sessions for producers and specific evening workshops covering electronic and modular synths and drum machine basics. Experienced producers and electric music novices are invited to swap knowledge and follow along in hands-on lessons, supported by the theatre’s accessible project space, provided gear, and knowledgeable community members. The smooth beats and soaring synth riffs of your dreams are within your reach, thanks to this low-cost, inclusive sequence of classes and practice sessions. – Caroline Drew
Music Notes
by Derek Udensi
Youngboy Never
Broke Again
Friday 5, Moody Center
At first glance, NBA Youngboy’s ascent to nationwide arena tour status feels slightly surprising because he’s engaged in his fair share of beef and legal issues. The Baton Rouge rapper’s rabid fan base, however, adores his propensity to frequently drop work packed with raw emotion and intense crooning. This particular tour supports MASA, which is the 25-year-old’s first album since his release from prison this year. Austin’s the third stop, so attendees will get an early scoop on how many of his plentiful projects he pulls from. Houston rapper DeeBaby supports.
E.S.G.
Saturday 6, the Far Out Lounge
The member of Houston’s influential Screwed Up Click started off 2025 by releasing his most recent album Lost It All, Got It Back. He comes to town with support from fellow Houstonian K-Rino and Austin-based crew College of Hip-Hop Knowledge.
RXKNephew
Thursday 11, Saturn
This prolific, humorous Rochester rapper puts out so much music that he can’t even keep all of his releases under a single profile on digital streaming platforms. He released his seventh project of 2025, From Da 99 2 dA 2000’s, a couple months ago.
Want to see all of our listings broken down by day? Go to austinchronicle.com/calendar and see what’s happening now or in the coming week.
This article appears in The 35th Annual Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Festival.
