Tag: Music

Two for Tuesday – Toni Price & Home Slice Pizza

January 25, 2014 / Mike Fitch

It doesn’t get more “Austin” than spending a Tuesday night on South Congress enjoying two local favorites. Tuesdays at the Continental Club are synonymous with Toni Price and her “Hippie Hour” fans. The time between sets is just long enough to make a quick dash to Home Slice down the street for some of the best pizza around.

Outside of a brief move to California a couple years ago, Toni Price has been a Tuesday landmark of the Austin live music scene. Her music stands on its own, but it doesn’t hurt that Warren Hood and Rich Brotherton have both done stints at her side. And since it’s an early show, you’ll be home in plenty of time to face the Wednesday workday with gusto.

Just because it’s early in the week, doesn’t mean it needs to be boring. Head on over to SoCo to feed both your soul and your belly. You won’t be disappointed.

Friday Five – Live Music Experiences in 2013

December 27, 2013 / Mike Fitch

I don’t get out as much as I’d like, but still look forward to great music when I have the chance. SXSW has turned into one of my favorite times of the year, but I’ll leave it (and ACL) out here for the sake of digging a little deeper. Here are five of my favorites from 2013.

1) Willie Nelson (@ The Backyard) – as iconic as Austin music gets. What started as a birthday concert for himself, quickly turned into a benefit concert of the citizens of West after the explosion there. The gesture was quintessential Willie.

2) Ed Sheeran (@ Stubb’s) – I saw Ed twice during SXSW 2012 and haven’t been surprised to see his career continuing to rise. His fan base tilts toward screaming teenage girls than my usual crowd, but he’s still a great artist. And Stubb’s is one of the best venues around.

3) Imagine Dragons (@ AT&T Park, San Francisco) – technically opened for Train as part of a corporate event, but they stole the show. Plus, being able to stand on the Giants home plate was pretty cool.

4) Dawes/Grace Potter/Avett Brothers (@ A360) – my inaugural trip to Circuit of the Americas did not disappoint. Any one of these bands would have been a good stand-alone show, so it was a great triple bill.

5) Unplugged at Shady Grove – it’s not so much about any particular artist (although they book some great ones), Thursdays from spring to fall often find me on Barton Springs under the trees. There is a great group of regulars that make each week feel like a reunion of old friends

ACL 2013

October 14, 2013 / Mike Fitch

Another year in the books and here was the agenda. Highlights for me included: .fun, The Cure, Mowgli’s, Dawes, Grouplove, The National, and Red Baraat. And then there is Lionel Richie – still not sure where to put this one. Definitely a consumate professional and musician. I knew all the songs and the crowd did too. Having said all that, it’s hard for me to put him in the same category as some previous Sunday closers.

Friday, Oct 4th

Shovels & Rope, Smith Westerns, fun., Depeche Mode, Muse

Saturday, Oct 5th

Autre Ne Veut, HAIM, Silversun Pickups, Little Green Cars, Grimes, Passion Pit, Kendrick Lamar, The Cure

Sunday, Oct 6th

The Mowgli’s, Dawes, Grouplove, Divine Fits, Toro Y Moi, The National, Red Baraat, Tame Impala, Phoenix, Atoms for Peace, Lionel Richie

Post Script…..I felt bad for the folks that got rained out Sunday on the second weekend. It was, however, fantastic to see so many of the scheduled musicians putting together pop-up shows to exercise their chops and reward some otherwise frustrated fans.

ACL Bracketology

May 5, 2013 / Mike Fitch

The run leading up to the release of the ACL Festival lineup reminds me a lot of March Madness. Everyone has their favorites, rivals, and dark horses. And when all is said and done – no one gets it exactly right. Picking the “winners” takes on a life of its own – and has as much emotion wrapped up in it as following your favorite team. Mention the words “The Cure” – and you’ll get an immediate reaction. Who are the bubble teams? Is Mumford in or out? Killers? Is this the year for a wild card?

And much like sports – even when your team isn’t in the hunt, it’s still a heck of a lot of fun to watch. Whether my picks make it to the card or not, I’ll be standing there in October and loving every minute of it.