The lineup for Free Week 2025 has arrived. Ringo Deathstarr, Geto Gala, Being Dead, and some 70 other local acts will play completely free shows throughout the Red River Cultural District Jan. 3-4, 2025.
Apart from those O.G. shoegazers and on-the-rise surf rockers, the alternative contingent of the mini-fest lineup features favorites in indie rock (Half Dream, Lola Tried, sleep well., the Stacks, the Irons), post-punk (Lauren Lakis, Queen Serene, Variety), punk (Pussy Gillette), garage (Magic Rockers of Texas), and psych rock (Megafauna).
Geto Gala (who also plays the Chronicle’s final Free Press Forever concert on Dec. 19) leads a hip-hop bill that also includes Austin Music Award-winner Ben Buck, prolific MC Kydd Jones, and experimental project haha Laughing. Interestingly, SoCal natives 60East and A-F-R-O also appear.
Other notable names playing no-cover shows include country rockers Rattlesnake Milk, whose 3-LP discography traverses cowpunk and vibey Americana; the Crack Pipes, veterans of the aughts Austin garage rock scene who began releasing music again in 2018; and electro-pop duo Felt Out. Post-punk favorites Font also made the lineup, though they’ll play a DJ set instead of their own music. Matador Sphere inked a similar deal, opting to play electronic music instead of their usual easy-listening indie. Check out the complete lineup below.
Launched over two decades ago as a way to encourage live music lovers to come out to shows during the traditionally slow winter months, Free Week ditches door fees for concertgoers while – thanks to sponsorships and donations – making sure bar staff and musicians get paid. This year, the fest takes place at 13th Floor, Barbarella, Cheer Up Charlies, Chess Club, Elysium, Empire Control Room & Garage, Flamingo Cantina, Mohawk, Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, Swan Dive, Valhalla, and Vaquero Taquero.
This article appears in December 6 • 2024.
