Live music in Austin: Free Hot Summer Nights shows, KOKEFest, Leon Bridges, more

Here are our top picks for live music events in the Austin area Aug. 4-10.

Thursday-Saturday: Hot Summer Nights in Red River Cultural District

The sweaty summer cousin to the Red River Cultural District’s popular January Free Week celebration is back with more than 100 artists playing no-cover shows in a dozen venues, all located in a walkable stretch downtown. Thursday highlights include power punks Pleasure Venom and Sailor Poon at Mohawk, a Latin dance party at Mala Luna, dance rocker Chief Cleopatra and rapper Mama Duke at Cheer Up Charlies and pop breakout Primo the Alien at Empire. On Friday, pop diva p1nkstar plays Mohawk, synth bangers Urban Heat are at Elysium, heavy psych outfit the Well plays Chess Club and Caleb de Casper plays Stubb’s (indoor). Saturday’s closing festivities include a country night with Boi Orbison and the Gay Ole Opry Drag Show at Cheer Ups, cumbia powerhouse Como Las Movies at Stubb’s (indoor) and a blowout bash with Austin punk rock lifers Riverboat Gamblers at Mohawk. Free. See redriverculturaldistrict.org for more info.

— D.S.S.

Thursday: Emily Wolfe, Zach Person at Antone’s

“Who are you to tell me what I can and can’t do?” Wolfe sneers as she unleashes a defiant barrage of guitar fury and contempt on the 2021 rager “No Man,” a fierce statement of self that also feels like a rallying cry for angry women everywhere. Austin’s ace ax-slinger joins forces with up-and-comer Person in a power bill that presents some of the most vital rock & roll coming out of the city right now. The show helps kick off a two-month tour of the western U.S. for the pair. $30.99. 8 p.m. antonesnightclub.com.

— D.S.S.

Friday: John Calvin Abney at Waterloo Records

The recent resumption of in-store performances at Austin’s top record store has gone a long way toward reviving the city’s Live Music Capital vibe, which got put on ice in 2020 with the pandemic’s onset. This performance features acclaimed Oklahoma troubadour John Calvin Abney, who relocated to the Austin area for a stretch during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. Some of the songs on his new album, “Tourist,” emerged during that time. Free. 5 p.m. waterloorecords.com. (Abney also plays Friday night at Sagebrush with Kathryn Legendre and Aaron McDonnell & the Neon Eagles.)

— P.B.

Friday-Saturday: KOKEfest at Brushy Creek

This fifth annual event associated with country station KOKE is a two-day affair in Hutto featuring mostly local and regional acts. Joining headliner Clint Black on Friday’s bill are Aaron Watson, Randall King, Larry Fleet and Triston Marez. On Saturday, Turnpike Troubadours and Robert Earl Keen top a bill that also includes American Aquarium, Muscadine Bloodline, Steel Woods, Jamie Lin Wilson, Tanner Usrey and DJ Du. Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. $65-$150. kokefest.com.

— P.B.

Saturday: Leon Bridges at Moody Center

The Fort Worth singer-songwriter vaulted to stardom with his 2015 debut, "Coming Home." He's since released two more acclaimed albums, 2018's "Good Thing" (which included the Grammy-winning traditional R&B track "Bet Ain't Worth the Hand") and last year's "Gold-Diggers Sound," which have further established him as a major neo-soul talent. Little Dragon opens. $60-$266. 8 p.m. moodycenteratx.com.

— P.B.

Saturday: Good Looks, Will Johnson at Parish

Since taking over the former North Door space on Brushy Street just west of Interstate 35 this spring, the Parish (formerly of Sixth Street) has presented both local and touring acts. This double bill focuses on the home front. Self-described “blue-collar political indie-rock band” Good Looks will feature songs from “Bummer Year,” its recent album on local label Keeled Scales. Opener Will Johnson is perhaps best known for his long tenure with Denton band Centro-Matic, but he’s released several solo records since relocating to Austin many years ago. $15. 8 p.m. parishaustin.com.

— P.B.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Top Austin concerts: Free Hot Summer Nights shows, Leon Bridges, more