Low Cut Connie
Thursday 17, Antone’s Nightclub
Stumbling onto Low Cut Connie in Luck, Texas, during a Willie Nelson SX shebang felt like walking into the right pub on the right night. Antone’s will match that. Philly’s little bar band that could counts equal props from Obama to Springsteen. Seventh album in a decade and a half, 2023’s ART DEALERS road maps dream bar rockers across the ages: the J. Geils Band (“WHIPS AND CHAINS”), Southside Johnny (“DON’T GET FRESH WITH ME”), and especially Bowie (“I DON’T UNDERSTAND YOU”), who would’ve admired its title track, a slice of pure London 1973. LCC himself, pianist Adam Weiner, likely nabbed Elton John and Nick Hornby endorsements on “WONDERFUL BOY.” KindKeith opens. – Raoul Hernandez
Christian Löffler
Thursday 17, Parish
To gain a better insight into what German techno/deep house/ambient DJ/producer Christian Löffler’s music is about and what he aims to achieve, he sojourned to Usedom, a sunny, scenic island in the Baltic Sea between Germany and Poland, to record his 2012 debut. The location directly informs A Forest, a master class of Detroit techno melded with Trentemøller’s Danish engineering. 2015’s York EP, with its eerie, bass-forward title track, is likely one that will connect with dance floors and DJ sets. The producer’s latest offering, 2024’s bright and effervescent A Life, fights against hauntology in search of new musical pathways for imperfect human creativity and connectedness in the age of artificial intelligence. – Kahron Spearman
Sunny War
Friday 18, Radio/East
Like her stage name, Sunny War’s new LP Armageddon in a Summer Dress crashes together polarities of furious resistance and fiery joy. The Nashville songwriter calls back to her folk-punk roots while expanding her sound in cataclysmic barrages balanced with soothing, if brooding, soul. Sunny War may be the ideal soundtrack of our contemporary turmoil, and serves as a powerful choice to kick off the new Radio/East series hosted by KUTX DJ and perennial AMA winner Laurie Gallardo. Locals Taméca Jones and Ivy Roots open with their unique styles of eclectic soul and R&B. – Doug Freeman
BRONCHO
Friday 18, Mohawk
BRONCHO’s latest album Natural Pleasure is a hazy, wine-purpled capsule made for lazy late-night swaying and low lighting. Through the underwater drum beats, Ryan Lindsey’s dreamy falsetto, and back-of-the-throat slurred annunciation, the Oklahoma lo-fi rockers’ latest installment is an effortless addition to their ever-slouchier discography. As liquefied as the band’s seamless songwriting can feel, BRONCHO’s live performance accentuates their shimmying basslines and smirking melodies for a hypnotic and palpably energetic experience. Dipping into the quartet’s cheekier punk-infused past and weaving through their distortion-soaked descent into psychedelia, BRONCHO pulls off a versatile show distinctly their own. – Caroline Drew
¡Hotel Vegas Cumbia Night! Ft. Los Desechos Vinyl Release
Saturday 19, Hotel Vegas
When Miguelito starts seeing skeletons in Pixar’s 2017 Coco and then enters the Land of the Dead, where everything turns to the black neon of Día de los Muertos – that’s Los Desechos. An El Tule spinoff by way of their frontman John Dell and his local cumbia powerhouse El Combo Oscuro, the new sextet raises a Coco/Beetlejuice demographic on Cumbias Levantamuertos. Raising the dead with poking, stabbing, jangling chicha psych – surf guitars and bleating keys – Los Desechos’ full-length debut waxes street on instant taco anthem “Cinco de Pastor.” Las Chicas en 512, DJ Albert, and free cumbia lessons throw down también. – Raoul Hernandez
Doom Records Presents: Safely Home, Blister, Oncemore, Rose Ceremony, Sulk II
Saturday 19, Alienated Majesty Books
Looking to deflect – or at least delay – the midsummer scaries? DIY output Doom Records delivers a healthy dose of screamo catharsis at their upcoming Alienated Majesty takeover. The label’s left-of-center curation, including an upcoming compilation of grindcore from across the state, is sure to put a smile on the face of any hardcore-loving Texan. Tourmates Safely Home and Blister headbang into their Austin stop, while young and hungry fivepiece Oncemore joins from San Antonio. Local outfits Sulk II and Rose Ceremony wrestle melody from sheer emo chaos. – Genevieve Wood
Lifeguard
Saturday 19, Mohawk
It’s a band you should already know by now, but Lifeguard simply hasn’t been around long enough – on Earth, that is. The recent high school grads embody a teenage DIY dream, hailing from a youthful Chicago scene full of cut-and-paste zine scraps, basement dance circles, and analog four-track cassette tapes. Born in the wrong generation, the trio combines punk physicality with the earnest devotions of power-pop, singing the sounds of love and growth the whole country is bound to recognize soon enough. So if you don’t know the act, get on board this weekend at Mohawk, with friends Autobahn opening. – Levi Langley
Jonah Kim Plays the Bach Cello Preludes
Sunday 20, ConcertDome Austin
As a onetime cello player myself – okay, attempted cello player might be more accurate – I greatly admire the skill it takes to master such an instrument. Here comes Grammy winner Jonah Kim, then, with three showtimes on his schedule (3pm, 4:45, and 6:30) centered on Bach’s Suites for the Solo Cello. The cellist immerses his audience in these Preludes within Austin’s newest 360 space, where music and visuals mix. Recommended for folks 10 years or older, so maybe leave the preschoolers at home with a babysitter. – James Scott
Carnival of the Animals
Sunday 20, UT-Austin Bates Recital Hall
Ever wondered what orchestral instruments would sound like as animals? Curious minds are never too old for this family-friendly zoo trip of a chamber music concert. Originally composed by Camille Saint-Saëns, Carnival of the Animals is a whimsical and humorous series of musical movements, each representing a different animal, or animals, and often highlighting a specific instrument or grouping – from barnyard friends to kangaroos. Saint-Saëns prohibited public performances of these pieces, fearing their frivolity would damage his reputation, yet his legacy lives on in all who have learned the sounds of chamber instruments through these accessible arrangements. – Caroline Drew
Dayglo Abortions
Sunday 20, Come and Take It Live
Scandalizing their native Victoria, B.C., and the rest of the world since 1979, Dayglo Abortions – led by Murray “The Cretin” Acton on vocals and lead guitar – consistently skewer society’s ills through a scabrously sick sense of humor like a hardcore/thrash/metal Lenny Bruce. Locals Worm Suicide have performed the same function for our area since their mid-Nineties beginnings in Victoria, Texas. Hmmm…! Coincidence? We think not! They share the stage Sunday, alongside the Brothels, Armpit Motel, and Stuck on 45. – Tim Stegall
whisk
Monday 21, Mohawk
Layered with plenty of guitar solos and knee-high socks, whisk’s raspy punk sensibilities are rooted in Nineties plaid and ascending power chord structure. Their debut EP shows off Emily Gritsman’s full-throttle vocals, ripped straight out of a riot grrrl zine, and tight drum fills that keep everything moving at a mixing bowl-approved clip. As the name suggests, openers Retro Cowgirl also draw from the pastiches of rock’s biggest decades. Fronted by lyricist Lucky Steele’s rousing voice and slippery-smooth guitar licks, the fourpiece outfit is all rock with a touch of blues and country. – Caroline Drew
Hot Summer Nights
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26, Various locations
You enjoy sweaty, communal musical catharsis, and Austin artists, bartenders, and other venue workers get a paying gig. That’s the symbiotic mission statement of the Red River Cultural District’s entirely free local music festival, which returns to Downtown venues this weekend. Over 140 acts comprise this year’s lineup, but some standout combinations include: twangy indie folk via the 4411, Boone Carter, and Boomershack at Stubb’s on Thursday; Language, Prehuman, Matador Sphere, and the Pinky Rings’ Friday post-punk showcase at Chess Club; and Flamingo Cantina’s Latin wrap-up on Saturday with the Tiarras and more. Find the full HSM schedule at austinchronicle.com/events. – Carys Anderson
Nick Clark N’em
Thursday 24, Monk’s Jazz
There’s résumés, and then there’s bassist/producer Nick Clark’s CV. He’s worked with Jon Batiste, Janelle Monáe, Kanye West, Usher, H.E.R., Cory Henry, and the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, but he’s also earned a master of science in physics from Texas State University and worked as an engineer for Samsung Austin Semiconductor. He’s also a member of our premier jazz fusion band Progger, whose leader Brian Donohoe and guitarist Matthew Muehling, alongside rising star pianist Dayne Reliford and in-demand drummer Adam Jackson, join him for what promises to be an epic session of tunes ’n’ technique. – Michael Toland
Music Notes
by Derek Udensi
La Murga de Austin
Saturday 19, the ABGB
For those who bleed black and green, Austin FC-supporting band La Murga de Austin is releasing the vinyl edition of their second album, Volume II, which originally came out last year. The band’s release party at the ABGB features Los Alcos, Los Kurados, Danger Roosevelt, and two sets from Dead Music Capital Band.
Stalefish
Saturday 19, Hole in the Wall
Local indie rock outfit Stalefish celebrates the release of June EP New Pop Experiments Vol. 1. TC Superstar closes the night while Hewg and Sam Cooper go on before Stalefish.
Jessie Reyez
Saturday 19, Stubb’s
The Toronto-born R&B singer-songwriter tours in support of her latest album, PAID IN MEMORIES. Notable guest stars on the project include Ari Lennox, Big Sean, and Lil Wayne. Another Toronto native, RAAHiiM, opens the night. Only resale tickets remain.
EXOTIC FRUITICA
Tuesday 22, Chess Club
Local post-hardcore band EXOTIC FRUITICA plays their lone Austin show of the summer in support of touring Boston act Miracle Blood. Fellow Austin-based acts Laugh Track and SKRATZ will also perform.
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 July 18 • 2025.