How to Choose on a Saturday Night

Yesterday I was mentioning how there were so many great shows to choose from on Friday night (tonight) now I'm going to highlight the haps on Saturday night. Friday saw lots of bigger name artists in town well Saturday night is all about the up-and-coming acts. The first show I want to highlight is a late show going down at Red 7 featuring Cymbals Eat Guitars and the Thermals. I'm not sure why, but I do know that the Thermals appreciate your gifted Furbies so if you have any of those creepy dolls that were banned from the Pentagon bring 'em on down to 7th st and the band will be psyched.


Cymbals Eat Guitar - And the Hazy Sea video via YouTube

The way this show is listed it looks like the Coathangers are actually headlining but to be honest any of those three bands could headline in my opinion. Although, I feel like Cymbals Eat Guitars have (or had) the most buzz.


Just up the street at the Mohawk, Free Energy will be bringing their brand of Weezer-esque indie-rock. They were one of the most popular acts of SXSW 2010 and I'm kind of surprised they haven't reached mainstream audiences yet. I could probably make that same statement about all of my favorite acts from this year's SXSW though. I mean who reaches mainstream America these days? All I ever hear on AAA radio is the Black Eyed Peas and Nirvana's Nevermind. For the record I wanted to embed a legit video but EMI doesn't want me to so I'm circumventing their wishes.


Free Energy - Bang Pop video via YouTube

Last, but certainly not least, Los Campesinos are ALSO in town Saturday night. This time they play La Zona Rosa a sure indicator of how popular they've become in Austin. I'm a fan of any band on Arts and Crafts records but when they also hail from Wales that's a double-bonus. Tickets are still available as of the writing of this post.


Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing! video via YouTube

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Another Friday Night in Austin

You have to love a city that makes you choose between several great shows every night. This is especially true on the weekends. Even with CMJ Festival in full-swing in the frigid north, we've still got great touring acts coming through town this weekend.

First and foremost, opportunities to catch Gorillaz perform live are few and far between so if you don't have tickets to catch them at the Frank Erwin Center tomorrow night I'd get on that quickly. Sure the price for tickets is higher than what we are used to here in Austin but this show is going to be a production spectacle, not just another club show with some sweaty band of teenagers. How many chances do you have to be in the same room with Damon Albarn? I'm just excited to see how they do the whole cartoon band thing in person. I've been rockin Plastic Beach all year and those tunes are going to kick ass in person! Also, did I mention N.E.R.D. are the opening act?!?!


Gorillaz - Stylo (Alex Metric Remix) video via YouTube


Speaking of bands I never thought I'd get a chance to see perform live, Built to Spill are also in town tomorrow night. Don't worry if you can't make it though, because they'll also be playing Emo's Saturday night.


Built to Spill - Conventional Wisdom video via YouTube

Normally, you couldn't pay me to watch the Stone Temple Pilots, unless we're taking a Hot Tub Time Machine to the show BUT I am a fan of Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Both of these acts will be hitting the Backyard out in Bee Cave Friday night.


Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Weapon of Choice video via YouTube

If none of this is your cup of tea there's always DJ Maseo, of De La Soul fame, at the ND. That show guarantees an ass-shaking good time.


Dj Maseo - Playground Saturdays video via YouTube

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Frightened Rabbit Return to Austin

I know it's a Wednesday night but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be heading downtown tonight. We all know it's good to kick back on the sofa but Frightened Rabbit came all the way from Scotland just to play you some music, the least you can do is head downtown to hear them. They'll be hitting Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater tonight, which means it's an early show so even if you have to work you really have no excuse to not be there. The music outside will be done by 10pm.

Frightened Rabbit's latest LP is called The Winter of Mixed Drinks and it is one of the most gorgeous and honest records I've listened to all year. If you have, somehow, missed out on hearing them perform live expect a rollicking good time. Sure some of the tunes are somber, on record, but they are quite dance-able live. Don't ask me to dance though, I just sort of nod my head. Perhaps, I'll whip my hair back and forth if you ask nicely though.


Frightened Rabbit - Living in Colour video via YouTube


Starting things out tonight will be, Bloggy-favs, Bad Veins. I caught them at Emo's over a year ago when they had kind of a crappy time-slot so I'm glad they'll get a chance to play for a larger audience. Their latest LP was one of my favorites of 2009 and I feel like it was largely overlooked. They also have a more recent EP called, Outliers, which I'm sure you can pick up at the show.


Bad Veins - Gold and Warm video via YouTube

After the outside show tonight, my boyfriend is very excited for Bettie Serveert on Stubb's inside stage. I don't really know anything about them but he's been excited to see them since 1992. I'll just refer you to his post over on, the more prominently read site, Austinist.


Bettie Serveert - The Pharmacy video via YouTube

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