Vibe Vault: A Celebration of Global Music & Heritage
Thursday 22, Antone’s Nightclub
Oh, global music. What does it mean? Antone’s, expanding beyond its usual blues repertoire with this seven-act bill, celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by hosting local artists who encapsulate all that this genre catchall has to offer. Expect sets by the Diversity Band, which promotes education and multiculturalism through Dhol Tasha drum performances; blues rock veteran Lara Price; electronic duo Felt Out; indie poppers AZXO; pop rocker Cassio Stella; and composer/local arts advocate Nagavalli at this eclectic show. – Carys Anderson
Hot Luck Festival
Thursday 22 – Sunday 25, Mohawk
“I recently played in Austin, Texas. It was in conjunction with a food festival, because Austin, Texas, is a food festival.” Thurston Moore said that to Pitchfork in 2017, and, yes, he was talking about Hot Luck. The brainchild of Aaron Franklin, James Moody, and Mike Thelin, this annual convergence combines two of our city’s favorite things: food and music. There will be no Thurston S’mores this year, but the feast will still include a plethora of bites from chefs across the country, soundtracked at Moody’s Mohawk by long-running Michigan punks the Spits on Friday night and ATX alt rock vehicle White Denim on Saturday. – Carys Anderson
DJ Nobu
Friday 23, Kingdom
Representing Japan as one of international techno’s most respected selectors, DJ Nobu lands like a tornado. The Future Terror event series founder can hit heady territory, dive into a body rhythm, or keep a fast-as-lightning pace. His attention to sound design and reputation for layering hypnotic tracks screams of the influence from Jeff Mills, Rrose, and Marcel Dettmann in tense mood and build. But Nobu’s cultlike status is singular, perhaps owing to his devotion to collaborating with the dance floor rather than directing it. Nick McDonnough’s bass music-meets-techno sorcery provides the perfect runway. Young gun Apellum completes the heat wave. – Christina Garcia
Allison Russell
Friday 23, Scoot Inn
It took Allison Russell nearly two decades and a number of notable folk outfits (Po’ Girl, Birds of Chicago, Our Native Daughters) before she stepped out solo with 2021’s Outside Child, but the accumulated experience helped produce a stunning debut that pulled together a ranging palette of folk and pop styles into an affirmative, poignant celebration of survival. The Canadian songwriter’s follow-up, The Returner, struck even more eclectic in sound and vision, garnering a Grammy and establishing her and her Rainbow Coalition Band as a powerful collaborative force stretching broadly beyond Americana. Kara Jackson opens. – Doug Freeman
Ego’s Day Party and Fundraiser
Saturday 24, Ego’s
Fear not, karaoke lovers: Ego’s isn’t closing. The beloved South Congress bar is instead raising funds for one of its bartenders, Paul, who broke his foot and needs help paying for surgery. Come one, come all, to this 4-7pm party, where burgers and hot dogs, games, a silent auction featuring items from local small businesses, and – of course – an open mic promise to help Paul get back on his feet (pun intended) in the best way possible. – Carys Anderson
Mid-Range Jumper
Saturday 24, Hole in the Wall
Big news for indie-loving Texas Exes: Mid-Range Jumper are about to have two songs available to stream. Formed at the tail end of 2023, this “countrygaze” supergroup features several notable local musicians (and UT alumni), including Riya Mahesh of Quiet Light, Andrés Garcia of sleep well., and Jonah Brown of Eli Josef. Sole single “I Want a Life” opens with freewheeling banjo before the sixpiece kicks in with electric MJ Lenderman twang. As for new track “Present Tense”? You’ll have to come to this single release show, featuring support by Why Yes and Willy Steg & the Understanding, to hear what these prolific songwriters have cooked up next. – Carys Anderson
Cactus Lee
Saturday 24, Buddy’s Place
Cactus Lee has released a slew of music over the past five years, each album sliding eclectically through folk styles but always hanging on his knack for crafting immaculately smooth melodies. His new self-titled seventh LP marks the songwriter’s debut on local imprint Western Vinyl and delivers an easy-rolling, reflective sheen that feels like the friendly back porch after a long day. In his delicate tenor, weariness and the road turns into wonder and epiphanies held close. Lee sets up at Buddy’s Place for a free show as the longtime neighborhood dive bar seeks to amp up its live music offerings. – Doug Freeman
Here Be Monsters
Saturday 24 – Sunday 25, Radio/East
Dedicated to showcasing new works by local composers, indie contemporary classical collective Tetractys New Music has been presenting its annual Here Be Monsters festival since 2023. Sort of the classical concert version of speed dating, the festival gives 20 artists 20 minutes to display their wares, both conceptually and technically. Performers include the Kraken Quartet; Golden Hornet; Goliath Was Bigfoot; Invoke; Panoramic Voices; Man, Woman, Friend, Computer; Anuj Bhutani; One Ounce Opera; Studio A; Jessy Eubanks; LOLA; Austin Unconducted; and more. At least 11 of these new works will be world premieres. Both single-day and festival passes are available. – Michael Toland
Los Campesinos!
Sunday 25, Empire Control Room
If you take their word for it, Los Campesinos! is the UK’s “first and only emo band.” True to that distinction, they rose to indie scene heights and beyond in the late Aughts with catchy crowd-vocal proclamations, cathartically dynamic song structures, and clever song titles. 2024’s All Hell smooths out the septet’s sound without losing its verbose, ironic edge. Despite a shifting lineup, Los Campesinos!’s energetic angst remains resonant for emo-pop lovers young and old. Others may claim the UK has produced several emo bands, but sold-out shows around the world would tell you this is the only one you need to see. – Caroline Drew
Sleigh Bells
Sunday 25, Mohawk
Sleigh Bells burst – literally – onto the indie rock scene in 2010 with fireworks whose dust still lingers 15 years later. Treats opens with bazooka fire: Derek Miller blasts drums and squalls guitars like some kind of twisted American anthem, while Alexis Krauss trills “Did you do your best today?” with the patronizing optimism of those faceless cheerleaders on the album cover. From early classics “Infinity Guitars” – so stupidly perfect with its cheer chant beat, über-crunchy riff, and “Ah-a-a!” refrain – and the Funkadelic-sampling “Rill Rill” to new LP Bunky Becky Birthday Boy, the Brooklyn duo’s maximalism never lets up. [Editor’s Note: This show has sold out. Sorry!] – Carys Anderson
Samara Joy
Thursday 29, ACL Live at the Moody Theater
Samara Joy leaves all five of her Grammys at her parents’ house. Although the silky-voiced 25-year-old has quickly catapulted into the spotlight as a Gen Z jazz leader ranking with the likes of Laufey, the gospel-raised Bronx native prioritizes music over awards and TikTok trends. Her latest album, Portrait, paints the vocalist’s jump into production and message-fueled songwriting as she pens lyrics to instrumentals like “Reincarnation of a Lovebird” by Charles Mingus and fuses her first original, “Peace of Mind,” with Sun Ra’s “Dreams Come True.” – Amber Williams
No Idea Festival Vernacular Residency with Ken Vandermark & Mabel Kwan
Thursday 29 – Friday 30, Monks Jazz
Anchored by Chicago saxophonist Ken Vandermark and Austin native Mabel Kwan, Chris Cogburn’s No Idea Festival emerges from the shadows with the Vernacular Residency. Night one features a film screening of Vandermark doc Musician, a Vandermark/Kwan duo set, and a panel discussion. Night two includes a Vandermark master class, the Mabel Kwan/Juan García duo, the saxophonist’s Texas Ensemble (with various Young Mothers and former Sons of Hercules drummer Kory Cook), and a set of music by founding AACM member Fred Anderson and Dallas avant trumpet pioneer Dennis González, whose son Stefan co-leads the band with Vandermark. Heaven for musical improv junkies. – Michael Toland
Music Notes
by Derek UdensiDarude
Saturday 24, Kingdom
Many who frolicked through the gaming-centric portions of the internet last decade are familiar with the memes around this Finnish EDM producer’s most popular single, “Sandstorm,” which was initially released in 1999.
Key Glock
Saturday 24, Moody Center
Cousin to the late Memphis rapper Young Dolph, Key Glock still waves Paper Route Empire’s flag sky-high. “Imma go and get the money, just like Dolph told me to,” he raps on the opener to brand new album Glockaveli. “Blue Devil” samples Three 6 Mafia’s 2005 hit “Stay Fly” while “The Grinch” samples Curtis Mayfield’s “Little Child Runnin’ Wild.” Sheck Wes (“Mo Bamba”) and KARRAHBOOO support.
Kaash Paige
Sunday 25, Antone’s
Paige’s crooning floats over dramatic, Mike Dean-styled synths and EDM beats alike on her 2024 album Catch Me While I Care. She returns to Antone’s after headlining iLL MANNER’s A FAT A$$ RAP SHOW during this year’s South by Southwest. Austin-bred R&B singer Grace Sorensen (“Digits”) opens.
I AM Cricchi
Wednesday 28, Come & Take It Live
This local rapper’s new single, “Take Me Home,” helps further pave his road of overcoming hard times through musical expression. Canadian rapper Merkules headlines.
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 May 23 • 2025.
