There are plenty of things to do in Austin throughout the year, but deciding on what live music to see is a whole different conundrum. In the Live Music Capital of the World, there are literally dozens of gigs happening each night, including plenty of touring artists plus more must-see local acts than the average concertgoer knows what to do with (we’ve got a ton of talent here, ya’ll). To help you out, we’ll be taking the liberty of putting together monthly lists of the top 10 concerts you’ve got to see. In chronological order, here are our August picks.
August 4: She Sir album release with Rose Selavy and Wildfires at the Mohawk (inside), 9 pm
As the saying goes, first Fridays are for shoegaze. Okay, we just made that up, but it will certainly be true when seminal Austin “shimmer-pop” outfit She Sir celebrates the doubled-up releases of Rival Island (their first album in three years), plus a remastered vinyl reissue of the EP that put them on the map, 2006’s Who Can’t Say Yes, on the first Friday of August. Fellow local reverb rooters Rose Selavy and Wildfires will open the show.
August 5: Doom Side of the Moon (The Sword, Brownout, etc.) with Mountain of Smoke at Emo’s, 8pm
Psych-loving metalheads, rejoice: members of ATX stoner metal mavens the Sword, Brownout and a few more local collaborators have conceived the ultimate heavy take on Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon, aptly titled Doom Side of the Moon, which drops on August 4. The following evening—the 50th anniversary to the day of Floyd’s debut The Piper at the Gates of Dawn—the supergroup will present their rendition of the record (plus a few more hits) live at Emo’s accompanied by a laser light display designed by locally renowned visual projectionists the Mustachio Light Show. With metal horns raised high, turn on, tune in, trip out.
August 11: Blondie, Garbage and Deap Vally at ACL Live, 7pm
The Spice Girls ain’t got nothin’ on the amount of girl power packed into this expansive Friday night fete: L.A.-based garage rock duo Deap Vally (guitarist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards) will kick things off with their gritty garage rock, then Scotswoman Shirley Manson will lead the guys in Garbage through a barrage of revered alt-rock tunes (likely to include a few fresh cuts off 2016’s Strange Little Birds). Rounding out the show is New Wave/punk pioneers Blondie, fronted by the inimitable Debbie Harry, who will pair plenty of dance-worthy classics with songs from just-released 11th album Pollinator. It's a triple-whammy worth every penny.
August 12: Jidenna at Antone’s, 7pm
Garnering heaps of attention for his high-energy performances throughout this year’s SXSW music conference, the self-proclaimed “Classic Man” returns to Austin for a Saturday night headlining set at Antone's. With a baker’s dozen of surefire hip-hop- and R&B-toned hits off debut album The Chief – which owes equal debt to East Coast rap, contemporary Nigerian music and push from neo-soul queen Janelle Monáe—he’s sure to sell out this intimate space quickly. Jump on it!
August 12: Transit Method LP release with Coattails, Danner Party and Gold Leather at the Sidewinder, 8pm
Citing such varied influences as Soundgarden, Jane’s Addiciton, the Mars Volta and Metz, the debut album from Austin’s Transit Method, We Won’t Get Out of Here Alive, is poised to make a powerful impression. Alongside ATX outfits Coattails, Gold Leather and Danner Party, the heavy rock trio will debut a slew of new songs from that record. Don’t miss your chance to cop the album a week before it’s released publicly on August 18!
August 16, 17: Fleet Foxes at ACL Live, 8pm
If you’re a fan of folk (or stunningly beautiful musical arrangements in general), the fact that it’s been six years since Fleet Foxes have performed in Austin should be reason enough to invest in this gig. Add to that the strength material off new album Crack-Up, a comeback as emotionally rich as the band’s self-titled debut and near-perfect follow-up Helplessness Blues, and attempting to attend at least one (if not both) nights is a no-brainer.
August 19: Quiet Company EP release w/ Darkbird, MCG, Buttercup and Criminal Birds at Barracuda, 7pm
Interesting fact about Austin rock quintet Quiet Company: their moniker is mostly antithetical to the raucousness of their live sound. Their anthemic powerpop is typically accompanied by explosive stage shows, and this Saturday night gig should be no exception given they’ll be celebrating the release of new 5-song EP Your Husband, the Ghost. Well worth arriving early for: Darkbird, who’ve likewise mastered the marriage of catchy melodies and moody heaviness, and will further prove their prowess with the release on a 7-inch vinyl this same evening.
August 19: J. Cole at Frank Erwin Center, 8pm
For more than a decade, J. Cole has proved himself as a formidable rapper, singer and producer (his credentials include tracks for Kendrick Lamar and Janet Jackson), and with the release of 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only, he scored his second album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and fourth consecutive release certified platinum. Following his cameo with Drake at ACL Festival two years ago, his Saturday evening stop at the Erwin Center will mark his biggest Austin show to date—part of a victory lap that any self-respecting rap fan won’t want to miss.
August 19: Project ATX6 kickoff showcase at YETI Flagship, 3-7pm
Since launching in 2014, music export and documentary film collaboration ATX6 has helped 18 local musicians showcase music at festivals spanning the globe. This year’s fantastically varied six—Mobley, Sisi Berry of Torino Black, Taylor Wilkins of Otis the Destroyer, Acey Monaro of Go Fever, Corey Baum of Croy and the Boys and Little Mazarn—will make stops in France, Germany, Japan and Canada. But first, they’ll perform at a kickoff showcase, with each musician performing original solo material, just outside the newly opened YETI Flagship store on South Congress. It’s an early gig, allowing you to hit up one of the other great shows listed for this busy Saturday, so you’ve got no excuse not to come out and support this group of artists before they set out to make international impressions.
August 30: Sylvan Esso with Flock of Dimes at Stubb’s, 7pm
North Carolina indie pop outfit Sylvan Esso provides living proof that you should never underestimate the power of a duo. On stage, vocalist Amelia Meath is a whirlwind of silky smooth moves while producer Nick Sanborn is a wizard at weaning impossibly infectious and bouncy beats from his compact array of tech. Together, and with mad grooves aplenty from sophomore release What Now, they eradicate any excuse to stand still during their shows, and might even get some added instrumentation from opener Flock of Dimes (Jenn Wasner), who recently assisted on live band recordings dubbed Echo Mountain Sessions (see video). Don’t sleep on what will surely be August’s biggest dance party to close out a month of amazing live music!
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