Live music review: Dia de los Toadies, Helmet, Mariachi El Bronx, Brutal Juice

                                  The Toadies                                        Photo: Emily Lim

The fifth annual Dia de los Toadies music festival at Whitewater Amphitheater this past Saturday featured the seminal rockers from Fort Worth, The Toadies. Also performing were Helmet, Mariachi El Bronx, Brutal Juice, The Soldier Thread and several other Texasacts. The Toadies and Helmet have been on national tour this year but took a brief hiatus (with the exception of the festival) while Helmet drummer, Kyle Stevenson... Read more at Examiner.com

This weekend: Red, White & Blue Ball; Wheeler Brothers, water slide & fireworks

Music festivals have changed a bit in the past few years. The trend towards smaller, more specialized events that cater to a niche audience has grown. Shows like Austin Psych Fest, Jam Cruise and the Warped Tour are good examples. This weekend the Wheeler Brothers, named Best New Band by the Austin Music Awards headline the Red, White and Blue Ball on Saturday (6/30) at Ball Farm 25 miles southeast of Austin in Dale, Texas. A limited number of tickets... Read more at Examiner.com