Live music review: Sweet Spirit and Walker Lukens led off year for Black Fret

Sweet Spirit and Walker Lukens at Black Fret 2016 opening

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Even if you are an Austin music fan that is 'in the loop" you may not be familiar with the non-profit organization Black Fret which donates $100,000 to 10 local bands each year. The funds come from annual dues collected from the group's members. The "Patrons of Local Music" charity was launched by Matt Ott and Colin Kendrick in 2013 as a way for Austin residents to support emerging musical acts. The majority of past recipients have used their $10K grant from Black Fret towards production costs to record new material.

Last week the group convened at The Parish in downtown Austin to introduce members to their first three grant candidates of the year; Sweet Spirit, Walker Lukens and Harvest Thieves. All three are... continue reading

Live music review: Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson revisit 90s at ACL Live

It seems as though everything 90s is cool again. Electronic music, flannel, Dave Grohl and a legacy act tour featuring two of the most popular bands of the era,Smashing Pumpkins and Marilyn Manson. Musically the groups have little in common apart from topping the Billboard charts around the same time. Both acts chose stage designs true to their personas. Shock rocker, Manson went with an uninspired but theatrical production while the Pumpkins' Billy Corganopted for a simple stage design choosing to allow his music to be the centerpiece of the performance at ACL Live on Sunday evening.

Manson opened his set with... continue reading

Live music review: Spoon shines at sold-out KGSR 24th anniversary show

Indie rockers Spoon let music fans know guitar rock is still relevant despite media claims to the contrary last Friday at their sold-out KGSR 24th Anniversary show at ACL Live.  The tour kick-off performance highlighted a several songs from their acclaimed recent release, They Want My Soul. It is no surprise Spoon is still a leading Austin rock band. What is surprising is the band appears to have hit a new peak 20 years into their career when most bands are playing album anniversary shows. Instead, Britt Daniel and company put out what may be their best... Continue reading at axs.com

4 great moments from day one of Austin City Limits Festival 2014 weekend two

Day one of Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) weekend two was filled with many great moments as waves of music fans descended on Zilker Park yesterday. Beck delivered yet another outstanding set at the Samsung Galaxy Stage to close out the day. St. Vincent thrilled fans at the smaller Retail Me Not Stage. UK upstarts, Temples played swirling psych rock at the Miller Lite Stage mid-afternoon as the sun shone brightly on crowds. We got to spend a few minutes with some of the guys from Temples at their Waterloo Records autograph signing. Find complete autograph signing schedule here. We also discovered ...Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: Post rockers Russian Circles sold out Red 7 Friday

Russian Circles played a sold-out Red 7 Friday evening in support of their fifth album, "Memorial" on L.A. indie label, Sargent House. Austin was just the third stop on a frenetic, 35 city American tour that concludes March 16 in the band's Chicago hometown. They was just as impressive as the last time we covered Russian Circles at ... Continue reading at Examiner.com

ACL Festival Day 1 recap: FIDLAR, Savages, Pinback, Black Angels, Purity Ring (Photos)

The 12th annual Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival got off to a good start yesterday in Austin's Zilker Park yesterday. For the first time, the festival has expanded to two weekends of performances. Friday marked only the first of six days of live music on eight stages spread across the park. Our coverage focuses on buzz acts... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: Avett and Wheeler Brothers sold out Whitewater

The phenomena known as the Avett Brotherscontinues to defy convention as the act enjoys further success on the road, selling out 3,500 capacity venue (Stubb's holds 2600),Whitewater Amphitheater in New Braunfels last Friday, July 28. The Avetts were supported by Austin's Wheeler Brothers who...

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Live music review: Brownout got Funky at Beauty Ballroom Thursday

What is the best thing about covering live music in Austin? The incredibly deep pool of talented musicians in the "live music capital" consistently exceeds expectations. Last night was no exception, as Brownout delivered a crisp, tight set to a nearly full house at Beauty Ballroom. The Latin-tinged funky beats infectiously work their way into fans' head until they have no choice but to dance as they did Thursday evening.
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Live music review: Lee Fields soul passion delighted fans at Continental Club

Austin Concerts Examiner is would like to introduce you to our guest writer, Rachel Silva who is a music fan and writer. We met Rachel on Twitter nearly three years ago while chatting about great music and our mutual fondness of And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead. Thankfully,  she offered to cover Lee Fields at the last minute when we realized we had overbooked shows to cover last week. On to the review...

If you forgot what funk means and looked it up, will likely see a picture of Lee Fields, in his suit posing and knowing that he’s still got it.  Right off his newly released album Faithful Man, Lee Fields and the Expressions captivated the audience with what we call a soulful, funkadelic performance.  If you were not at the Continental Club last week, you definitely missed one heck of a show. Continue reading on Examiner.com...

Live music review: Trail of Dead open new Belmont venue with eclectic set list Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Trail of Dead open new Belmont venue with eclectic set list

By now, Austin music fans are aware The Belmont has reopened as a live music venue. Although the remodeled location hosted SXSW showcases and parties last month, the official opening was this past weekend. Austin indie-rockers, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead  headlined Saturday's Grand Opening party. There were a few rough patches at the start of the set

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: Trail of Dead open new Belmont venue with eclectic set list - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-trail-of-dead-belmont-grand-opening-review#ixzz1sDEzLrDo

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 SXSW music review: Delta Spirit, Springsteen, Quiet Company, Soldier Thread

With one half of SXSW music week behind us, we took a look back at the standout performances thus far. Rather than take the approach of skipping local acts we can see all year, Austin bands were mixed into our schedule with national acts. There were notable appearances by Spirit Animal, Delta Spirit, Bruce Springsteen, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, The Soldier Thread and Built To Spill. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live SXSW music review: Delta Spirit, Springsteen, Quiet Company, Soldier Thread - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-sxsw-music-review-delta-spirit-springsteen-quiet-company-soldier-thread-review#ixzz1pIqfQvrH

Spirit Animal (NYC)

Live music review: Parker Griggs' new Radio Moscow lineup rocked The Mohawk

After learning Radio Moscow front man, Parker Griggs was arriving in Austin with a new rhythm section in tow, we were a bit concerned the show would not measure up to their great set at Austin Psych Fest last year. Griggs mentioned early in the set they had only been playing together two weeks. Although there were a few rough patches early on, overall the performance was mind-meltingly, crowd-pleasing.


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Live music review: The White White Lights and Black Pistol Fire at Emo's

With the construction of Emo's East completed last month, we have turned our attention to the original Emo's latley, feeling nostalgic about the venue that burgeoned the Red River indy-music scene in dowtown Austin. The end of the year will see the live music landmark close it's original location. Consequently, we have made an effort to catch a few shows over there recently. Saturday evening, incendiary act, The White White Lights performed followed by more great music by Black Pistol Fire. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: The White White Lights and Black Pistol Fire at Emo's - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-the-white-white-lights-and-black-pistol-fire-at-emo-s-review#ixzz1dbomiiu6

Live music review: jazz fusion supergroup Return to Forever IV at ACL Live

If you have marginally followed avant-garde jazz, then the names Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, Jean-Luc Ponty and Frank Gambale otherwise known as Return to Forever (RTO) IV are familiar names. The jazz fusion supergroup visited ACL Live at the Moody Theater Wednesday evening with an extra member (Ponty) than previous incarnations.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live music review: jazz fusion supergroup Return to Forever IV at ACL Live - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-music-review-jazz-fusion-supergroup-return-to-forever-iv-at-acl-live-review#ixzz1Y8N18f16