Music Notes

S.L. Houser plays ACL Fest aftershow, plus more Austin music picks

S.L. Houser to play ACL Fest Aftershow at Stubb's

Photo courtesy of S.L. Houser

As usual, October is getting underway with a double dose of ACL Fest. Even with the festival dominating Austin, there are still plenty of great shows with local artists happening across the first half of the month. See here for recommendations.

Adrian Quesada's Trio Asesino at Central Machine Works – Friday, October 3
Adrian Quesada (Black Pumas, Grupo Fantasma, Brownout) will have his Trio Asesino project on display at Central Machine Works this Friday, October 3. This is a free chance to see the Grammy/Latin Grammy award winner. Also, a portion of the proceeds from the event (from drink sales) plus donations will go to ATX Free Fridge, a project that stocks and maintains free community fridges across Austin. More about the new music series here.

S.L. Houser at Stubb’s – Saturday, October 4
If you miss S.L. Houser at ACL Fest this Saturday, October 4, then be sure to swing into her aftershow later in the evening at Stubb’s. The singer-songwriter will be on the indoor stage after The Favors wrap up outside. Tickets are $13 or free with a wristband from the outdoors show.

Starflake at Hotel Vegas – Saturday, October 4
Starflake, which is a project from Jackie O’Brien of The Bright Light Social Hour, will ring in the release of a new single, “Porque Te Vas,” at Hotel Vegas this Saturday, October 4. The self-described “tropical booty-punk” act will be joined by Bruce and Aila. Cover will be $12 at the door.

Farmer’s Wife at Stubb’s – Thursday, October 9
Buzzy rockers Farmer’s Wife will make their ACL Fest debut on Friday, October 10, but you can catch them the night before on the indoor stage at Stubb’s. Tickets are $13 or free with a wristband from the MJ Lenderman show that will be happening outside.

Grupo Fantasma at Central Machine Works – Friday, October 10
Grupo Fantasma will take over Central Machine Works on Friday, October 10. This show with the beloved Latin funk orchestra is free, and a portion of the proceeds from the evening (from drink sales) plus donations will go to Save Our Springs, which aims to protect the Edwards Aquifer.

AC-HELL Fest at Hotel Vegas – Saturday, October 11
The third annual (and cleverly titled) AC-HELL fest will take place at Hotel Vegas on Saturday, October 11. Billy King & The Bad Bad Bad, Oogwei, Broken Gold, The Oxys, Gran Moreno, Banged Out, and Shivering Demons will perform across both stages at the venue. There will also be after parties with DJ sets from Suxxy Puxxy & Lodri and Orion Garcia. This event is free until 9 pm, as are shows on the patio and lounge after 10 pm. The show flyer does not give a price for paid indoor shows.

acl fest live music concerts festivals music

It's Trail Time

Austin's famous Trail of Lights opens soon for 2-week 2025 run

Austin Trail of Lights/Facebook

The Trail of Lights changes a little year-by-year, but stays the same at its core.

Austin's most famous holiday tradition is almost here. The Trail of Lights will start glowing at Zilker Park on December 10 and stay lit through December 23. This is the 61st year for the tradition, which shows off festive designs made with more than 2 million lights, 96 illuminated trees, and live programming.

This year, there are two new installations. One is the Neon Zoo created by the famous local studio Ion Art, which this November launched a new seven-day event at Willie Nelson's Luck Ranch. Like the ranch event or Ion Art's other famous installations, this one invites visitors to walk through an immersive space that "celebrates Austin's art scene." The other new addition will be the Texas Tunnel, which is inspired by a sunset and leads into a section that honors Texas.

The main draw is always the lights, but visitors can also look forward to live, local music every night. Folks who want to brush up their dance moves can do so with swing teacher Kari Kron and two step lessons by Dancin’ Austin.

This year, the following artists will perform:

Pedal Steel Noah
The Soul Supporters
Poet Hawkins
Nakia
Sherita Perez
Dave Madden
Wilson Marks
Jennifer Foster & The Audacity
BandAid School of Music
Los Coast
Ruby Dice
Midnight Snack
Nagavalli
Bluesqueezebox
Golden Hour
Oliver Steck
The Last Jimenez
Denis O'Donnell
Linda Gail Lewis
Libby & the Loveless
JaRon Marshall
LA 45 (La Quarenta y Cinco)
Jeska & The Vanity Project

The live music broadcasting series Texas Music Scene will record performances by Bo De Peña, Jeff Crosby, and Phil Hamilton for a broadcast December 18.

Some of the special events that lead up to official opening — including the preview party, fun run, tree-lighting ceremony, and private tours — have already happen. All that's left now is the grand opening with H-E-B and the Trail of Lights Foundation.

Many nights are free for everyone to attend, but some require tickets for adults. (Children under 12 always visit for free.) Guests can check the Trail of Lights' calendar to check which nights are free or paid. General admission, when it's required, costs up to $8.

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