Written by Clinton Camper
Summer is flirting with us, and Austin is already acting up. This week, the city’s stacked with 44 shows—and we’re talking full-spectrum chaos: soul, emo, metal, country, house, Tejano, and a DJ who might throw a cake at your face. You know the drill.
Every single night has something worth leaving the house for—so if you were looking for a sign, this is it.
Let’s run it day by day:
TUESDAY, MAY 27
Soulful king Durand Bernarr slides into Empire with vocals that don’t miss. Meanwhile, local indie rockers Daisychain headline Mohawk, and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hit the Paramount stage for a high-energy showcase (yes, really).
• Durand Bernarr @ Empire
• Daisychain @ Mohawk
• Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders @ Paramount Theatre
WEDNESDAY, MAY 28
This night is stacked. Choose between the sweet soul of Thee Sacred Souls at ACL Live, the flamenco-pop fire of David Bisbal at Emo’s, the math rock sadness of American Football at Mohawk, or Canadian rapper Merkules going off at Come and Take It Live.
Need something free and funky? Far Out Lounge has you covered. Feeling flirty? CJ Sparks is heating up Antone’s.
• Thee Sacred Souls @ ACL Live
• David Bisbal @ Emo’s
• American Football @ Mohawk
• Merkules @ Come and Take It Live
• FREE FUNK Wednesday @ The Far Out Lounge
• CJ Sparks @ Antone’s
THURSDAY, MAY 29
Chaos energy unlocked.
Dierks Bentley brings the boots to Moody Center, Caamp supplies the campfire singalongs at Moody Amphitheater, and Steve Aoki is ready to launch someone across the room at The Marc.
Also on deck: Samara Joy at ACL Live, SUSTO at 3TEN, Juno Birch’s surreal drag madness at Parish, and Seth Meyers doing stand-up at Paramount. Yes, all on the same night.
• Steve Aoki @ The Marc
• Dierks Bentley @ Moody Center
• Caamp @ Moody Amphitheater
• The Drop-In @ Long Center
• Un Día in May @ Antone’s
• Juno Birch @ Parish
• Seth Meyers @ Paramount Theatre
• Samara Joy @ ACL Live
• SUSTO @ 3TEN
• Grizzly Eye Recs @ Mohawk
FRIDAY, MAY 30
A little bit country, a little bit ‘80s synth, a little bit ethereal dance music.
Simple Minds turn Moody Center into a Breakfast Club moment, Alison Krauss delivers angelic vocals at Whitewater, Marsh brings melodic house to Kingdom, and Taylor Tomlinson kicks off a two-night comedy run at ACL Live.
Also peep: The Secret Sisters, Sun Kil Moon, Provoker, King Louie, Babe Haven, and Flower Moon doing the most across Austin.
• Simple Minds @ Moody Center
• Alison Krauss @ Whitewater Amphitheater
• Marsh @ Kingdom
• The Secret Sisters @ The 04 Center
• Provoker @ The 29th St Ballroom
• Taylor Tomlinson @ ACL Live
• Sun Kil Moon @ 3TEN
• King Louie @ Hotel Vegas
• Babe Haven @ Mohawk
• Flower Moon @ Empire
SATURDAY, MAY 31
We’ve hit overload.
Röyksopp at Concourse = rare Nordic electronic magic.
The Word Alive brings metalcore to CATIL, Riovaz’s alt-pop lights up Parish, Trousdale charms 3TEN, and the city fills in with everything from shoegaze (Sunflower Bean) and glam punk (Walt Disco) to local faves like Indoor Creature and Sarah and the Sundays.
Oh, and Taylor Tomlinson is back for round two.
• Röyksopp @ The Concourse Project
• Riovaz @ Parish
• The Word Alive @ Come and Take It Live
• Trousdale @ 3TEN
• Sunflower Bean @ The 29th St Ballroom
• Walt Disco @ Mohawk
• Indoor Creature @ Empire
• Taylor Tomlinson @ ACL Live
• Sarah and the Sundays @ Antone’s
• Spirit Adrift @ Empire
• Hotel Burgundy @ The 13th Floor
SUNDAY, JUNE 1
Closing the week with legends and loud guitars.
Alejandro Fernández brings the full mariachi experience to H-E-B Center—expect tears, cheers, and high notes. Meanwhile, Drive-By Truckers + Deer Tick serve up a double shot of southern rock and heartbreak at Stubb’s.
• Alejandro Fernández @ H-E-B Center
• Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick @ Stubb’s
• Halfmass @ Mohawk
• Swamp Dogg @ Antone’s
MONDAY, JUNE 2
Let’s be real: You’ll need a nap. But if you’re still standing, we salute you.
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Need tickets? We’ve got the links on our calendar.
Overwhelmed? Welcome to Austin.