It’s a huge weekend for our favorite local acts with Solstice taking over the city on Saturday, and our friends at Hole In The Wall celebration of their historic 40 year tenure kicking off this week. Plus don’t forget to check out some special guests tonight as dance disco monsters Yip Deceiver and Electric Six invade Stubb’s. See you out and about! –Nate Abernethy
FRIDAY:
Friday night is the night for guilt free pleasures. The opportunity to chant “Gay Bar” as Electric Six lights up the stage is worth the price of admission alone. The funky and diverse Detroit alt-rockers are hot off their October release Mustang that carried their constant trend of embarking in unique directions. Moniker-ed melody man Dick Valentine’s raspy amped up vocals take the lead as they dive into the weird and wonderful tinged with glam-rock vibes. Already plotting their next release, the group will be joined by dynamic dance duo Yip Deceiver as they bring the funk and the fun. Yip Deceiver balances a futuristic electro sound with a throwback retro 80s vibe that will definitely get your body moving. Stop by Stubb’s at 8pm, tickets are $16 at the door!
If you don’t feel like dancing, no worries we’ve got you covered with an alternative. Hikes is releasing their EP, and you definitely want to be among the first to hear it. There’s truly no one else like Hikes as one minute they sound like whimsical woodland folk, the next screaming power pop and then beat driven experimental. Joining them will be the likes of the fuzzy dream poppers Young Tongue, nasally punk rockers Big Bill (Which honestly if you don’t already own their split with Basketball Shorts what the hell are you doing with your life?), post rock duo Chipper Jones, Happy Hell and Nathaniel Red. If you’re still on the fence then perhaps free pizza from Homeslice and a special made tape from Graveyard Orbit will convince you, you greedy bastards. Doors are at 7 at Cheer Up Charlie’s!
SATURDAY:
The most widespread fest since SXSW is here as Solstice finds its way into every nook and cranny of Austin with pop up shows at places such as Bird’s Barbershop and Quickie Pickie. There are endless options and you can check the schedule for yourself here, but we’re pretty keen to see Les RAV bring her unique voice and soulful spirit all across town, watch Groove Think continue to switch things up with videogame-like riffs tucked into their funky rock fusion, Hello Caller win some new fans as they showcase their jangly dream folk and OVRLD favorite and no wave noisemakers Super Thief bring down the house or whatever bizarre location they’re playing. It’s all for free and literally everywhere across your city! I dare you to leave the house Saturday and not end up at least one show.
SUNDAY:
Forty years… FORTY YEARS! I genuinely don’t believe it, but that’s how long the Hole in the Wall has been a haven for artists and music lovers alike on the Drag. They’ve put together an epic celebration that seems to last all month, but Sunday is the first free night of this festive shindig. Come out and hear tunes from the past four decades. Local legend Jon Dee Graham, blues heavy country artist Ramsay Midwood, the refuse to grow up bros of Orange Mothers, charming Americana garage folksters Hard Pans, and many many more will keep the energy going throughout the night as Hole in the Wall delivers a gritty, old fashioned lineup of some of Austin’s best bar bands. Good times are guaranteed with some super secret special anniversary brews from 512, Real Ale and Live Oak Brewing. Doors open at 3 and the show kicks off at 9, see ya there!