Latin sounds — both traditional and cutting edge — are at the forefront of this week’s live music highlights in the Alamo City.
Those who crave the traditional may want to check out the Buena Vista Social Orchestra, which preserves the music of Cuba’s golden era. Meanwhile, a Bombasta-El Dusty dual bill and a performance by Mexico City’s Y La Bamba promise to put new spins on cumbias, corridos and more.
But those aren’t the only solid options this week for SA music fans. Read on.
Wednesday, Oct. 16
Buena Vista Social Orchestra
Buena Vista Social Club gained international attention in 1997 by collecting elder statesmen from Cuba’s musical golden era of the 1930s until the Caribbean country’s communist revolution. Though many in the lineup have since passed on, trombonist and original member Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos has kept the flame alive under the Buena Vista Social Orchestra moniker. The group brings together melodic Afro-Cuban jazz, impassioned vocals, impeccable technical mastery and heartfelt joy. $39-$149, 7:30 p.m., Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, 226 N. St Mary’s St., majesticempire.com. — Bill Baird
Friday, Oct. 18
Bombasta, El Dusty
Corpus Christi’s Latin Grammy-nominated producer and DJ El Dusty is joining forces with San Antonio’s “barrio big band” Bombasta for a night of shaking asses and elevating the masses. The two acts are longtime collaborators, having recorded tracks together. El Dusty also mixed and mastered Bombasta tracks in his Corpus Christi PRODUCE studio. Get ready for an energizing blend of cumbia, hip-hop, big band and puro good times. $20, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, StableHall.com. — Stephanie Koithan
Badflower, Slothrust, Missio
Los Angeles-born, Nashville-based Badflower is rocketing up the charts with its song “Detroit.” The alt-rock quartet’s early incarnations date back to 2008, but the band caught a buzz in LA a few years later thanks to former NSYNC member Lance Bass. Badflower’s post-grunge sound has spun off buzzy hits such as “Heroin” and “Ghost.” Missio is an opener worth making an early arrival for. $48-$92, 7 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — Danny Cervantes
Y La Bamba, Kiltro
Y La Bamba is the multilingual project of Mexico City’s Luz Elena Mendoza. By turns, her band is a melding of dream-pop, driving corridos, intricate vocal harmony and dense rhythmic interplay. It’s Latin American music for the future and defies easy categorization through joyous embrace of the musical moment. Y La Bamba has released records on Sub Pop and been featured on NPR, showing that for all the group’s eagerness to push boundaries, it’s listenable and accessible. $22.50, 8 p.m., 502 Bar, 502 Embassy Oaks, Unit 138, 502bar.com. — BB
Jon Dee Graham, Mitch Webb and the Swindles
Jon Dee Graham has been making compelling music for decades. By starting with first-wave Texas punk band the Skunks, then moving on to seminal cow-punk band the True Believers, Graham has earned his place in the Texas music pantheon. Hey, he played with the Clash at the Armadillo World Headquarters, for crying out loud! Over the course of 10 solo records, Graham has earned a regional reputation as a songwriter capable of delivering incendiary live performances. Later in the evening, SA’s own Mitch Webb will deliver his impeccable take on Texas garage, blues and country with the aid of his stellar Swindles. $10, 8 p.m., The Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., thelonesomerose.com. — BB
Saturday, Oct. 19
Morris Day and the Time
Anybody who’s seen Prince’s classic 1984 movie Purple Rain knows Morris Day and the Time can absolutely tear up a dance floor. Concertgoers should expect the same. Day is still knocking out crowds with infectious mega-grooves and a supremely tight band. $49 and up, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., majesticempire.com. — BB
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This article appears in Sep 25 – Oct 15, 2024.
