Music Notes
More than 100 local acts play free sets during Hot Summer Nights, plus more Austin music picks for early July
A Giant Dog is playing Hotel Vegas on July 20, before Andrew Cashen (right) continues on for another performance during Hot Summer Nights.
Good news! The back half of July is jam-packed with local shows. And in even better news, a whole lot of them are free. See below for recommendations.
Blues On The Green at Zilker Park – July 18 & 19
Blues on the Green is back, and its pair of shows for 2023 are this week – tonight and tomorrow– at Zilker Park. The gig this evening only features one local (the opener, Paul Val). But night two, July 19, is all Austin with the likes of Wild Child, THEBROSFRESH, and ZachCarney. The event is free.
A Giant Dog at Hotel Vegas – Thursday, July 20
A Giant Dog have a special show set for this Thursday, July 20, at Hotel Vegas. The longtime rock act will be performing an acoustic preview of their anticipated new album, Bite, which isn’t officially out until August 25. Cover will be $10 at the door.
Hot Summer Nights – July 20-23
Hot Summer Nights is taking place this Thursday to Sunday, July 20-23. The annual festival will happen across the Red River Cultural District and will feature more than 100 local acts. It’s free (although donations are welcome), which means it’s easy to wander and discover as you please, but here’s a show for every night that should be on your radar.
- Thursday, July 20 – Country singer/songwriter Kathryn Legendre will headline a show at Stubb’s Indoors that also includes Texas String Assembly and Gus Clark.
- Friday, July 21 – Psych stars Annabelle Chairlegs can be found outside at the Mohawk with Big Bill and Andrew Cashen (of A Giant Dog, Sweet Spirit).
- Saturday, July 22 – The electro-pop artist Dossey will play Stubb’s Indoors with San Gabriel and Don't Get Lemon.
- Sunday, July 23 – Alt-rock act Club Coma (ex-members of Boyfrndz and Stiletto Feels) can be seen inside at the Mohawk with Shooks and EVNTYD.
Darkbird at 3TEN ACL Live – Friday, July 21
Fresh off the release of a new single titled “Crimes,” rockers Darkbird will play 3TEN ACL Live this Friday, July 21. A pair of buzzy pop acts – Primo The Alien and San Gabriel – will open the show. Tickets are $18.
Hong Kong Wigs at Pease Park – Friday, July 28
Hong Kong Wigs are calling it quits, and their final show will be during Pease Nights at Pease Park on Friday, July 28. The event is free. By the way, if you’re into quality pop rock tunes, you should check out the band’s 2023 EP, Lies.
Me Nd Adam at Antone’s – Saturday, July 29
Me Nd Adam will drop their new album, American Drip Part II, on July 28, and then follow it up with a release show at Antone’s the next night – Saturday, July 29. All-star pop trio KVN and alt-pop act Foxtales will kick off the evening. Tickets are $20.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri