Live music review: Dawes returned to Austin bigger and better

Photo: Tammy Perez

When Dawes front man Taylor Goldsmith addressed the audience at Stubb's BBQ last Thursday, he recalled the band's first visit to Austin in 2009 when they opened for Delta Spirit. Later in the set it was with genuine awe he informed the nearly sold-out venue this was their biggest audience ever in Austin. The observation could just as well be that of the arc of growth Dawes has earned. Their new album, "All Your Favorite Bands" is number one on the Billboard folk chart and working its way up the Billboard 200 (currently 37) less than three weeks after the record dropped. This will be their best-selling work at this rate.

The band arrived with a talented new member since their last stop in Austin... Continue reading

Live music preview: Utah indie rockers Desert Noises return to Stubb's Friday

Last March during South by Southwest we were invited to the Do512 Lounge to watch a few bands the entertainment site invited to perform. One of those bands, Desert Noises was so impressive for a young, unknown group we struggled to get them out of our head after the show. Fortunately, we never did get that foursome out of our head and we watched the indie rockers from Orem, Utah twice more after seeing them at SXSW. On Friday lead singer and songwriter, Kyle Henderson and company return to Stubb's BBQ to play on the inside stage.

We asked Henderson why the band likes playing Austin. He replied... Continue reading at Axs.com

Live music review: Desert Noises rocked Stubb's BBQ after return to Austin

Last Friday Utah buzz band Desert Noises returned to Austin in support of their latest album, "27 Ways" at Stubb's BBQ. The foursome played an official showcase and several more appearances during SXSW in March. After we caught them at the Do512 Lounge playing their fusion of psych-rock, blues, folk and alt-country we were hooked. Friday's performance... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: White Denim are ready to be Austin's next big thing

Austin writers have a penchant for prematurely announcing the "next big thing" in regards to local bands, however, there is nothing premature in claiming White Denim is an act that is going places. We knew it from the first time we saw the band several years ago at the old Emo's downtown. Last Thursday the band displayed a maturity in their live performance at Stubb's BBQ that indicated theJames Petralli-led group has already jumped from buzz act to national recognition. The jammy, psych-rock infused set the foursome played featured almost no... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music preview: The Shears CD release, The Pixies, 2nd Street Soundcheck

With the South by Southwest interactive, film andmusic juggernaut around the corner one would think the Austin live music calendar would be relatively sparse. That would be a false assumption because the "Live Music Capital" never rests not even to take a deep breath before the insanity that is SXSW. This weekend Austin will host a free street festival in the 2nd Street District, a really great electro-pop band, The Shears (see interview below) and legendary alternative rockers... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: The Bright Light Social Hour and The Tontons Valentine show

Austin music fans took advantage of unseasonably warm weather Friday to enjoy a special Valentine's Day double bill at Stubb's BBQ with The Bright Light Social Hour and their guests, The Tontons. Despite the fact that the Live Music Capital's holiday concert schedule was packed with great options for ticket buyers, the two Texas bands nearly sold-out the 2600 person capacity venue. Indeed, by 9 p.m. when Houston indie-rock outfit, The Tontons hit the stage, Stubb's was packed with fans. They stayed until TBLSH's encore which concluded with bassist, Jack O'Brien and guitarist, Curtis Roush crowd surfing with a ...Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: Language Room returns to stage at Stubb's BBQ

Austin indie band Language Room appeared on stage at Stubb's BBQ Thursday for the first time since entering the studio to record their second full-length album. Seeing the band perform again cemented our belief that these guys may be headed for a breakout year. Three new songs were included in the set list that also featured their catchy tune...Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: Alabama Shakes, Lee Fields and the Expressions at Stubb's

Brittney Howard of Alabama Shakes   Credit: Casey Brewer

Last Thursday evening, the night before music fans got to set foot in Zilker Park for Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) soul crooner, Lee Fields got things going with an emotional performance that was equalled by the amazing... Continue Reading at Examiner.

Live music review: Toadies and Ume rocked sold-out Stubb's BBQ Saturday

When we heard the Toadies were headlining with Ume before heading out on tour with Social Distortion we figured the show would be well attended. In fact, the show sold-out Stubb's BBQ which indicates the Fort Worth natives still have mass appeal over 15 years after the release of their multi-platinum selling, "Rubberneck". Hits from the record still get frequent airplay on alternative radio.  Having Austin rockers Ume open the performance was the icing on the cake for music fans.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Toadies and Ume rocked sold-out Stubb's BBQ Saturday - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-toadies-and-ume-rocked-sold-out-stubb-s-bbq-saturday-review#ixzz1rZcNPYbr

Live music review: Quiet Company played to sell-out crowd at Stubb's BBQ Friday

Local favorites, Quiet Company who have been on a steady, upward trajectory over the past couple of years, sold-out Stubb's BBQ Friday evening. The band dusted off some older songs, broke out light sabers (yes, you read correctly) and left fans sated and smiling. While the light sabers and ensuing "rave up" led by drummer, Jeff Weathers and trombone player and newly minted percussionist, Cody Ackors. It was a humorous departure from the usual during a performance that

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Quiet Company played to sell-out crowd at Stubb's BBQ Friday - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-quiet-company-played-to-sell-out-crowd-at-stubb-s-bbq-friday-review#ixzz1nXueiiMj

Live music review: Manu Chao's frenetic pace at Stubb's ACL Fest after show

One of the first official Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) after shows to sell-out was Manu Chao La Ventura, the French performer with Spanish parents who sings in multiple languages (primarily Spanish). Chao is known for his high-energy shows often pushing the tempo to a frenetic pace leading fans to crowd surf, mosh, pogo and get crazy.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Manu Chao's frenetic pace at Stubb's ACL Fest after show - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-manu-chao-s-frenetic-pace-at-stubb-s-acl-fest-after-show-review#ixzz1YXEjTOm3