The Best Live Music In Austin

It’s true what they say about Austin: It’s a great place to see live music. But even more than that, Austin cultivates great musicians.

Many of our favorite artists come from right here in Austin and play regularly around town, some with weekly residencies. The Heywood concierge team has selected 20 bands producing the best live music in Austin. If you happen to be in town when these acts are playing, be sure to get your tickets!

Shinyribs

Shinyribs photo courtesy of @shinyribs on Instagram

“Country-soul-swamp-funk” is how Shinyribs describes their sound. Their live shows are lively indeed, with dance-able tunes, wild costumes and frontman Kevin Russell’s unforgettable vocal chops. The entire audience is lured into some good-natured, hip-shaking fun. We highly recommend catching their act in Austin and we dare you not to love them.

White Denim

White Denim photo courtesy of @whitedenimmusic on Instagram

Austin band White Denim is earning some serious indie rock cred these days. Their sound is influenced by psych rock, blues, punk, prog rock, soul, experimental rock and more. They put on a tight, powerful live show that immediately entrances you into their groove. Definitely one of the best live music shows in Austin, when you can catch them. And if they’re not playing Austin when you’re in town, look for them to be touring your city! 

Ephraim Owens

Ephraim Owens photo courtesy of @whislersatx on Instagram

This Austin trumpet player, composer and bandleader is the epitome of cool jazz musicians, continuing in the tradition of trumpeters Miles Davis and Roy Hargrove. Catch one of Ephraim Owens’ intimate shows and you’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled into a secret speakeasy. Inducted into the Austin Music Awards Hall of Fame, Owens is beloved in Austin and admired by jazz musicians around the world, who remark on his melody, phrasing and collaborative playing spirit. He regularly plays sets at the Continental Gallery and the Elephant Room.

Erika Wennerstrom

Erika Wennerstrom photo courtesy of @erika_wennerstrom on Instagram

Erika Wennerstrom, the acclaimed front-woman for the Heartless Bastards, has embarked on a solo effort that displays a slightly different side of her alt-country and blues musicianship. Her deep, powerful voice absolutely soars on her debut album “Sweet Unknown” and is somehow even more stunning in person, making for a mesmerizing live performance. This is a not-to-miss show and definitely some of the best live music in Austin! 

Dale Watson

Dale Watson photo courtesy of continentalclub.com

Austin’s country music maverick Dale Watson has one of the deepest and most recognizable voices in Austin’s music scene. His quintessential country baritone and trademark brand of  rockabilly have earned the respect of all kinds of music lovers. When he’s not on tour, look for him to pop up at classic venues around Austin and Central Texas like C-Boy’s Heart & Soul and the legendary Continental Club.

Molly Burch

Molly Burch photo courtesy of @mollyjburch on Instagram

An Austin-based singer-songwriter whose debut EP “Please be Mine” was called a “quiet triumph” by the Austin Chronicle, Molly Burch is the voice of the best of live music in Austin right now and a treat to see live. Her jazz-inspired vocals rise and fall over seductive beachy guitar riffs, making for a stripped down sound that feels raw and intimate in a live setting. 

Magna Carda

Magna Carda photo courtesy of @magnacarda on Instagram

Magna Carda is a thrill to witness live. Their hip-hop is backed by an awesome live band to produce what they call a “genre-defying blend of rap-meets-jazz-meets-R&B-meets-electronic.” Described by Mashable as “Austin’s answer to The Roots,” Magna Carda is led by rapper Megz Kelli and producer Dougie Do. Each live performance feels exceptional and entirely of the moment, as they produce a laid-back jazz vibe laid over ambient beats and punctuated by cutting lyrics. One of our favorite bands to see live in Austin!

The Derailers

The Derailers photo courtesy of @fredstxcafe on Instagram

The Derailers will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the golden age of country music. This four-piece produces traditional honky-tonk music in the vein of Buck Owens — in fact, Buck personally asked the band to play his 70th birthday party! If you’re in the mood for some true Texas two-step (or just to watch from the sidelines), catch their standing Thursday-night gig at the Broken Spoke.

Sweet Spirit

Sweet Spirit photo courtesy of @sweetspiritband on Instagram

Sweet Spirit is a nine-member indie pop band with a raw edge. Fronted by powerhouse Sabrina Ellis and backed by some of Austin’s best musicians, their unpredictable, explosive live show is a force of nature. Each show is a high-energy party, leaving the audience utterly entertained and cleansed of the day’s concerns. Catch them live in Austin!

Rosie Flores

Rosie Flores photo courtesy of rosieflores.com

Rosie Flores is a rockabilly/Americana singer-songwriter, virtuoso guitarist and legendary badass. Rosie’s live shows can cover the gamut of Western swing, blues, rockabilly and jazz standards. She’s been shredding since the 1970s as a groundbreaking member of the alt-country and later cow punk scenes. Prepare to be amazed by her energized performance and awesome guitar riffs. Rosie plays a standing blues gig on Fridays at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul and sings classic jazz standards with her Blue Moon Quartet each Wednesday at the Continental Gallery. 

Moving Panoramas

Moving Panoramas photo courtesy of @movingpanoramas on Instagram

The Houston Press calls Moving Panoramas, “the best band in Texas right now.” They produce catchy dream pop with perfect harmonies tied together by the hooky guitar work of frontwoman Leslie Sisson. We’re lucky to see several upcoming local dates posted on their tour calendar, including a few shows at Hotel Vegas and Cheer Up Charlies just under a mile from the Heywood Hotel!

Hard Proof

Hard Proof photo courtesy of Do512 on YouTube

Hard Proof is a melting pot of musical styles, bringing intense Afrobeats, experimental jazz and deep funk to their insanely boisterous live music performances. A local supergroup of sorts, Hard Proof features members of Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, The Calm Blue Sea, Cougar, Spoon, the Echocentrics and several other notable Austin acts. We love catching their live shows in Austin.

Ringo Deathstarr

Ringo Deathstarr photo courtesy of @ringodeathstarr on Twitter

Ringo Deathstarr’s shoegaze/fuzz sound has a pop sensibility. Think Jesus and Mary Chain meets My Bloody Valentine, with an Austin flair. Expect a loud, fun, fuzzed-out rock show. In Austin, you’ll be most likely to catch them playing Hotel Vegas or the Mohawk, but they have several dates at various places around town in their calendar.

David Ramirez

photo courtesy of @davidramirezaustin on Facebook

Singer songwriter David Ramirez plays dark country blues that will tug at your heartstrings. The sincerity of his songwriting is powerful and makes for a moving live performance. David plays shows around Central Texas with regularity, so if you can’t catch him in Austin, consider a day trip to see his show. 

Joe Ely

photo of Joe Ely courtesy ely.com

Genre-crossing singer-songwriter and Texas native Joe Ely has been producing some of the best live music in Austin for decades and has played with The Clash, Uncle Tupelo, Lyle Lovett and Bruce Springsteen. This veteran performer is a Texas music trailblazer and not to be missed. When in town, he tends to book gigs at the Saxon Pub.

Tameca Jones

photo of Tameca Jones courtesy tamecajones.com

If you haven’t seen or heard Tameca Jones yet, prepared to be amazed. “Austin’s Empress of Soul” brings so much joy and energy to the stage, and her silky, honeyed voice always brings the chills. Tameca is fresh off a tour with Gary Clark Jr., so catch her live in Austin, on the double! 

Conjunto Los Pinkys

photo of Conjunto los Pinkys courtesy Little Mexico Restaurant on Facebook

Conjunto Los Pinkys has been described as the “Sound of Austin’s Eastside.” If you’ve never heard conjunto music, you are in for a treat! This lively Tex-Mex dance music features the button accordion and 12-string “bajo sexto” bass. The celebrated musicians in Conjunto Los Pinkys have been playing together since the ’50s. Conjunto Los Pinkys play all around town, including at Little Mexico Restaurant on South First St. every second Sunday and at Cisco’s Restaurant Bakery every Friday for lunch. 

Riverboat Gamblers

photo courtesy of @riverboatgamblers on Instagram

The Riverboat Gamblers bring the energy and wild abandon that many of us remember so clearly from the 1990s live music scene in Austin — before the Austin boom and before SXSW changed (and changed everything). Their songs are fast, their sound is tight, and frontman Mike Wiebe will swing from rafters and stage dive from two stories high. Without a doubt, this power punk band should be experienced live. In Austin, you’ll most commonly catch them at Barracuda in the Red River District, just a mile from the Heywood.

Golden Dawn Arkestra

Golden Dawn Arkestra photo courtesy of @goldendawnarkestra on Facebook

Golden Dawn Arkestra is a 13-piece experimental funk collective that combines deep grooves and cinematic textures into a performance that is as much of a religious experience as it is a live show. With horns, percussion, synthesizers, vibraphones and a theremin, plus elaborate costumes and energetic dancers, their stage performance is considered by some to be the best live music show in Austin. No matter the size of the venue, they can whip the audience into a frenzy.

Ume

photo of Ume courtesy of @ume on Facebook

Ume meshes guitar-based hard rock with the raw passion of punk rock and the melodic sophistication of pop. They profess “a complete lack of inhibition” in their live music shows, and their commitment to their audience is unmatched in the Austin music scene. You will leave with a crush on Ume’s mesmerizing front woman Lauren Larson.