Live music in Austin: Karol G, Gorillaz, Flaming Lips and more
Here are our top picks for live music in the Austin area Sept. 29-Oct. 5.
Friday: Gorillaz, Earthgang at Moody Center
“Cracker Island,” the new album from everyone's favorite fictional band, features appearances from Bad Bunny, Stevie Nicks and Beck. It isn’t out until February, but lead primate Damon Albarn — who spent the early days of the pandemic building the mythology around his wayward cartoon rock stars with his “Song Machine” web series — decided to hit the road with a 14-piece live band. It's the first Gorillaz North American tour in four years, and the band promises special guest appearances along the way. Earthgang, one of the most exhilarating hip-hop acts to emerge from the Dirty South in the last decade, opens. 7:30 p.m. $69 and up. moodycenteratx.com.
— D.S.S.
Friday: Poguetry at Scoot Inn
Anyone who's listened closely to Celtic music from the British Isles and Cajun music from Louisiana recognizes the bonds between these two folk styles. As prominent members of Irish band the Pogues, O'Riordan and Stacy understood the connection well enough to seek out the Lost Bayou Ramblers for a collaboration that bridges the gap. They'll join forces at the Scoot to play Pogues songs as if the band arose from our neighbor state instead of Ireland. $30-$35. scootinnaustin.com.
— P.B.
Related:Heartless Bastards, Rosie Flores, more to play during Formula One at COTA in Austin
Saturday: Flaming Lips at Luck Ranch
Lips leader Wayne Coyne’s flair for the dramatic pushed this Oklahoma indie band to pop stardom with the groundbreaking turn-of-the-century albums “Soft Bulletin” and “Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.” But they’d already had long ties to Austin by then, visiting clubs here since the mid-1980s and workshopping their 1997 experimental project “Zaireeka” at South by Southwest before it was released. So it’s fitting that they’re helping to ramp up concert offerings at Luck, Willie Nelson’s ranch in Spicewood. Also fitting: Willie’s psych-rocker son, Micah Nelson, will open the show with his band, Particle Kid. $48-$125. luckpresents.com.
— P.B.
More on Luck:Willie Nelson's ranch becoming music hot spot near Austin
Saturday: Yung Bae at Emo’s
“Groove Continental: Side A,” the latest from the Portland artist aka Dallas Cotton, is a gloriously sunny collection of dance-floor-gyrating funk jams. With the likes of Jon Batiste, AWOLNATION and Pink Sweat$ signing on as collaborators, it’s clear the 28-year-old musician’s star is on the rise. Catch him now before he (inevitably) hits the big festival circuit next summer. $30. emosaustin.com.
— D.S.S.
Saturday: Daniel Romano’s Outfit, Carson McHone at 3Ten
It’s doubtful any artist in popular music has been more prolific than Canadian indie savant Romano, who’s released a staggering 12 records since 2020. His music ranges from psych rock to country folk to punk and beyond, and his touring band features a ringer, especially for Austin audiences. His wife, Carson McHone, is a native Austinite who’ll open this show with her own set. Ben Ballinger also opens. $16.50-$20. 3tenaustin.com. (McHone and Romano also will play a free in-store at Waterloo Records on Sept. 29.)
— P.B.
More music:Austin singer Ruthie Foster will get a star outside Paramount Theatre
Sunday: Margaret Slovak CD release at Draylen Mason Studio
Slovak, a jazz guitarist who plays both electric and acoustic models, moved to Austin from New York about a decade ago, but she returned there to record her new CD, “Ballad for Brad.” This release show is an ideal fit for the venue, an intimate space inside classical station KMFA’s new building along the north bank of Lady Bird Lake. Performing with her will be Austin drummer Masumi Jones and Fort Worth Bassist Paul Unger. $20. 7 p.m. kmfa.org. (Slovak also will play a free in-store set at 5 p.m. on Monday at Waterloo Records.)
— P.B.
Monday: Blk Odyssy at Antone’s
“Blk Vintage,” the stunning debut from the alt-soul outfit, was an easy pick for Austin album of the year in 2021. The deluxe “Reprise” edition that dropped this summer adds six new tracks, including “Benny’s Got A Gun,” an urgent examination of gun culture and the endemic violence that can break communities. It features Benny the Butcher and funk icon George Clinton. This is a homecoming date for the group’s Blk Revolution Tour, which has taken the crew all over the country. Soul artist Eimaral Sol opens. $20. antonesnightclub.com.
— D.S.S.
Tuesday: Karol G at Moody Center
With a danceable sound that blends melodic trap and reggaetón, the Colombian pop sensation has been on a steady rise since she snagged the Latin Grammy for best new artist in 2018. Last year at ACL Fest, she celebrated pan-Latin culture with a body-moving afternoon throwdown. For the $trip Love tour, her first solo arena outing, she’s been thrilling fans with impeccable choreography, a flying Ferrari and a setlist packed with her chart-topping hits. $180 and up. moodycenteratx.com.
— D.S.S.
More:Our 2021 interview with Christopher Cross
Wednesday: Christopher Cross at Paramount Theatre
The Grammy-and-Oscar-winning Austin singer-songwriter, diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome after contracting COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic, rallied to revive a national tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of his 1979 debut album. He played the Paramount early in the run but now returns for a show that will feature a string section conducted by the Austin Symphony Orchestra’s Peter Bay. $25-$200. austintheatre.org.
— P.B.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Top concerts in Austin this week: Karol G, Flaming Lips, Gorillaz
