With a mix of established studs like Jim Lauderdale and rising newcomers like brash 10-piece rap group Pnthn, there’s something for everyone this weekend.
FRIDAY
Jim Lauderdale
Threadgill’s North
Fri., August 3, 8pm
Jim Lauderdale shows no signs of slowing down at 61. This month unloads two LPs from the Americana pioneer, numbers 30 and 31 disseminating Southern country soul on Time Flies and recently rediscovered recordings with mandolin great Roland White. The two serve as mile markers to an extraordinary career, 1979 issue Jim Lauderdale & Roland White capturing the two-time Grammy winner just arrived in Nashville and the new material offering reflective mastery. – Doug Freeman
The Nightowls + Tameca Jones
The Scoot Inn
Fri., August 3, 6pm
Austin R&B/soul act the Nightowls released We Are the Nightowls back in April and gained national traction. In the midst of a summer tour, they stopover at home to co-headline with sweet singing Tameca Jones. The “Hot & Bothered” singer begins her own national march into breakout status on the road with Gary Clark Jr. this fall. Jai Malano supports with electric, old-school vocal flair and dynamic stage presence. On their heels, Aaron Stephens is rising a soul troubadour. – Kahron Spearman
Jerry Fest w/ Deadeye
Threadgill’s World HQ
Fri., August 3 9pm, Sat., August 4, 9PM
Landing between Jerry Garcia’s birthday (Aug. 1) and last day (Aug. 9), this Heads assemblage at Deadgill’s pays respects to the man-in-black-sweatpants. Expect Austin’s Deadeye, fronted by Jerry-approximate Joe Faulhaber, to mine Garcia’s solo oeuvre as well. Their “Rubin and Cherise” is exquisite. Guests include White Demin’s James Petralli, South Austin Jug Band’s Will Dupuy, and Hard Proof’s Joe Woullard. – Kevin Curtin
Ian Moore (50th birthday celebration & CD release), Eric Tessmer
Antone’s Nightclub
Fri. & Sat., August 3 & 4, 9pm
From Austin blues apprentice to journeyman Seattle guitarist, Ian Moore’s dozen albums since a 1993 Capricorn Records bow culminate in tight new EP Toronto. It’s “Looking for the Sound” exemplifies the disc’s Sixties pop, Seventies rock, and Nineties indie, whiling dismounting into contemporary awareness and hope like full-length predecessor Strange Days. SRV-fast firebrand Eric Tessmer opens a club answer to Steve Miller and Peter Frampton shredding the Moody on Monday. – Raoul Hernandez
SATURDAY
Pato Banton, Music4Life
Flamingo Cantina
Sat., August 4, 9pm
UK toaster known for a positive strain of hooky Jamaican messages like “Don’t Sniff Coke,” Pato Banton ranked among Gen X’s biggest reggae stars. Following his landmark dub record, Mad Professor Captures Pato Banton, the Birmingham-raised MC went on to collab with Sting, the English Beat, and UB40’s Ali Campbell. Studio production has dropped off, but the live show remains inspirational. – Kevin Curtin
Roni Size
Empire Control Room
Sat., August 4, 9pm
Jungle movement giant since attending the Wild Bunch soundsystem parties of the early Nineties, British drum and bass legend Roni Size (Ryan Williams) gained widespread notoriety with Reprazent following 1997’s Mercury Prize-winning New Forms. The Bristolian DJ and producer scored new critical success on 2000’s In the Mode. More recently, he teamed up with usual accomplice DJ Krust on 2016’s Past & Present. – Kahron Spearman
Freedonia
Threadgill’s North
Sat., August 4, 8pm
Moniker borrowed from a failed 1826 East Texas rebellion against Mexico or the Marx Brothers’ Duck Soup, Freedonia boasts a crack line-up exploring a Southern California blend of Seventies pop and jazz. Working that medium, locals could do no better than enlisting multiple Grammy winner Christopher Cross on guitar and vocals. The triple sax threat of Russell Haight, Seth Carper, and Justin Vasquez powers the octet’s debut LP. – Greg Beets
SUNDAY
MC Overlord Benefit
Come & Take It Live
Sun., August 5, 3:30pm
Close friends and associates come together in much-needed support for Austin’s 10-time Hip-Hop Artist of the Year Donnell Robinson, aka MC Overlord, aka Big Don, who’s currently hospitalized for an undisclosed illness. Fellow Nineties breakouts, Latin rock siblings Vallejo and soulful singer/songwriter Ray Prim bookend the benefit. Singer Bobby Bookout, rock quintet Michael Dillard Band, and blues-hewn outfit Derrick Davis Band also perform. – Kahron Spearman
Lil B, Keyboard Kid, Pnthn
Mohawk
Sun., August 5, 7pm
Self-proclaimed BasedGod, Brandon McCartney spreads love and laughter whether he’s the cult leader of his overtly optimistic “Based” movement, a motivational speaker at MIT, or a Twitter troll with his infamous NBA Championship curses. The Berkeley rapper’s stream-of-consciousness and mercurial character highlight the hyphy, funky Black Ken, universal love ethos on I’m Gay (I’m Happy), and cosmic Illusions of Grandeur. Rising San Marcos 10-piece Pnthn opens. – Alejandra Ramirez
This article appears in August 3 • 2018.