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 July picks.
July 3: Annabelle Chairlegs w/ Go Fever, Major Grizz and Ladyfang at Hotel Vegas, 9pm
Kick off July with a kinetic Monday night: the psychedelic-tinged, surf-punk vibes of local quartet Annabelle Chairlegs are set to stir up some dancing (OK, maybe moshing) at Hotel Vegas. New act Go Fever (members of Sweet Spirit, the Erika Wennerstrom band and more) are warming things up with material off their recently released, self-titled debut album. Show up early for even more electrified goodness from Major Grizz and Ladyfang!
July 4: Willie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic presented by Budweiser at Austin360 Amphitheater, noon
Now in its third year at the Circuit of Americas’ Austin360 Amphitheater, this year’s 4th of July Picnic is a staple Independence Day extravaganza. As always, it's helmed by a performance from Willie Nelson & Family and boasts an impressive bill of contemporary and classic country and roots rock all-stars, including Sheryl Crow, Kacey Musgraves, Margo Price, Asleep at the Wheel, Billy Joe Shaver and Ray Wylie Hubbard, to name a few. For fans of stellar songwriting, some true Texas twang and fireworks, it’s a can’t-miss all-day event.
July 7: Lola Tried w/ Mean Jolene and Talkies at Lambert’s, 9pm
Up-and-coming Austin quartet Lola Tried will satisfy your rock & roll cravings with choruses and riffs from fiery frontwoman Lauren Burton (local openers Mean Jolene and Talkies won’t hold back, either). And for those other cravings, Lambert’s has you covered with their top-notch BBQ fixins. Delicious digs plus raucously rad tunes—what more could you want from a Friday night?
July 12: Blues on the Green w/ Shinyribs & Jackie Venson, 8pm
What is country-soul/swamp-funk? Find out when Shinyribs, the mainstay project of energetic frontman Kevin Russell (formerly of the Gourds) takes over the stage at Zilker Park for the latest installment of KGSR’s Blues on the Green, which is free and open to the public (glass and alcohol are prohibited, but picnicking is encouraged). Major bonus: rising shredder Jackie Venson opens the evening with her brand of Austin-bred blues.
July 13-16: Hot Summer Nights presented by Red River Cultural District, various times
You’ve heard of Free Week—basically, Austin’s locals-only SXSW in January—and now there’s something comparable to get music fans through the most hellishly hot part of summer. The appropriately titled Hot Summer Nights, presented by the Red River Cultural District, runs July 13-16 with more than 100 bands (mostly local, including heavy hitters like the Octopus Project, White Denim and Israel Nash) performing for free across 10 venues, with various local food vendors touting specials along the way. Full lineup and specific show/food info available here.
July 14-16: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit w/ Amanda Shires at ACL Live, 8pm
Of all the touring shows coming through Austin in July, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (with his incredibly talented wife, Amanda Shires, opening solo) is the one to catch. And with three consecutive shows at ACL Live, it should be easy enough to see the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, whose sixth studio album The Nashville Sound is the highest charting of his career. Check ‘em off your bucket list in this relatively intimate auditorium before you can’t catch him anywhere smaller than an arena.
July 22: Sherry album release w/ the Halfways, Megafauna and SMILE at the Mohawk (inside), 8pm
Some nights you hit the Red River Cultural District and hop from venue to venue in an attempt to keep it fresh. And sometimes the lineup at one place is so incredible, you end up stick around until closing time. This will be one of those nights: catchy-as-hell polyrhythmic pop-rock from SMILE, epically intricate heaviness from Megafauna (who have promised to play some new tunes!), and shades of chilled-out psychedelia from the Halfways and Sherry, who celebrate their album release this night. Trust us—all of it rocks!
July 26: Sound & Cinema w/ Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and A Giant Dog at the Long Center, 6pm
A contemporary classic film and one of Austin’s most riotous rock acts—A Giant Dog, who will be smack in the middle of touring behind new album Toy—are part of the Long Center’s annual Sound & Cinema series (doors at 6 p.m., A Giant Dog at 7:30pm, movie at 8:45pm). Admission is free, the event is kid/family-friendly and some of the city’s most mouthwatering eats will be available for purchase from trucks like the Peached Tortilla, Garbo’s and Slab BBQ.
July 28: Calliope Musicals w/ SIP SIP and the Sour Notes at Empire Control Room & Garage, 8pm
Haven’t partied at a Calliope Musicals or SIP SIP show before? Then you haven’t yet partied properly in Austin. As far as live music theatrics go, both bands are poised to blow your mind: the former group’s infectiously positive pop-rock typically comes laden with confetti, costumes and cathartic sing-alongs, while the latter, larger outfit (they usually run 17-strong) combines hip-hop, funk, soul and all manner of horn-and-synth-driven jams to whip up some of this city’s most momentous dance-offs. This one’s worth arriving early for, too—local openers the Sour Notes are a perfect primer for this overall upbeat bill.
July 29: Alex Napping (tour kickoff) at the Mohawk, 9pm
Alex Napping has plenty of new tunes on the table fresh from the release of superb sophomore album Mise En Place (released May 5). And what better way to support one of ATX’s most promising up-and-coming acts than to wish them well at their tour kickoff—their Mohawk show marks the beginning of a lengthy fall run. In other words, it’s your last chance to see ‘em locally before they’re not around for a good bit.
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