The new year is here, and the first thing on deck for Austin’s music scene is a bevy of free shows via the Red River Cultural District’s pay-what-you-can festival, Free Week. See below for a handful of fest recommendations, plus a few more local gigs that you should try to catch in the first half of January.

Free Week – January 3-4
The Red River Cultural District’s Free Week will officially take place across a variety of venues this Friday, January 3 and Saturday, January 4. The best approach to the annual free event is a freewheeling one where you simply wander around from venue to venue and randomly sample the 75+ local bands on the lineup. But for those that would like a bit of guidance, we’ve got you covered with some select artist picks. Although the shows are technically free, this festival is a fundraiser that accepts donations.

• Being Dead: Indie rockers Being Dead had a monster 2024 that saw them release EELS, their second stellar album in as many years. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch them for free. They’ll play the Mohawk on Friday, January 3.
• Marry Cherry: With two great 2024 singles — “New Direction” and “Knockout” — in their pocket, psych rockers Marry Cherry should for sure be on your radar. You can see them at 13th Floor on Friday, January 3.
• Nuclear Daisies: Get yourself a high-quality dose of dream pop and shoegaze via Nuclear Daisies, which features members of Ringo Deathstarr and more, at Hotel Vegas on Friday, January 3.
• Jet Cemetery: Jet Cemetery is a fairly new but already noteworthy electronic project that’s comprised of TaSzlin Trébuchet (of Fuck Money) and Lars Wolfshield (of Wolfshield Records). Give them a shot at the Mohawk on Saturday, January 4.
• Prehuman: Prehuman released a pair of fantastic two-song 7-inch records late last year, so they’re entering 2025 with plenty of momentum. Definitely check out their alt-rock stylings at Chess Club on Saturday, January 4.
• Variety: Variety put out Subtropical, one of the best albums out of Austin last year, and that’s reason enough to catch them at Free Week. The indie rock band will play inside at Stubb’s on Saturday, January 4.

Parker Woodland at Hotel Vegas – Thursdays in January
Starting on January 9, indie rockers Parker Woodland will be taking over Hotel Vegas every Thursday this month. See below for the full run of support. Each show is $12 and has an early start time of 6pm.

• 1/9 – Militant Babies
• 1/16 – Lavender Scare and BRiAN
• 1/23 – Mikky & The Doom
• 1/30 – Sex Mex

Jackie Venson at Antone’s – Saturdays in January
Singer/songwriter/guitar wiz Jackie Venson will get 2025 underway by playing at Antone’s every Saturday in January. Each show is $25 and will feature different support acts. The full lineup is here:

• 1/4 – Sydney Wright
• 1/11 – BLAKCHYL
• 1/18 – Kiko Villamizar
• 1/25 – 80H Project

Mountain Time at Hotel Vegas – Wednesday, January 15
Mountain Time — which is Chris Simpson of Mineral, The Gloria Record, and more — put out a great album last year titled Dream Homes, and your first chance to experience some of it here in 2025 will happen at Hotel Vegas on Wednesday, January 15. Genuine Leather and Pocket Sounds are also on the bill for this early show that’s set to get underway at 6 pm. Cover will be $12 at the door.