San Antonio’s live-music calendar this week bounces from intimate songwriter showcases and spooky darkwave to arena-ready pop and country. In other words, there’s plenty worth leaving the house for, no matter what kind of ear candy you crave.
Wednesday, Aug. 19
Chavela, Kassandra Ayala, Elena Lopez
This special bill will present three of San Antonio’s best songwriters and bandleaders in a stripped-down, in-the-round setting. Chavela is the project of Isabel Paillao, whose tunes honor San Antonio’s West Side legacy while adding her own modern twist. Kassandra Ayala weaves affecting bilingual indie-folk, while Elena Lopez, aka Elnuh, crafts dream-pop of the highest order. $15, 7 p.m., Gunter Hotel, 311 N. St. Mary’s St., thegunterhotel.com. — Bill Baird
Fevr, Vick Vapors
Los Angeles-based Fevr signed with Darkwave Records after releasing six albums independently — and the label name says a lot about the act’s sound. Led by songwriter and producer Matt Rozo, Fevr blends the sounds of ’80s synths, new-wave, goth and a hefty dose of the Cure. The group is scheduled to release a new album in 2027 along with a split album with tour support act Vick Vapors. $23.65, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — Brianna Espinoza
Thursday, Aug. 20
Benson Boone, Luna Li
Pop singer Benson Boone has experienced a meteoric rise in fame, which includes a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, a now-iconic Super Bowl ad with Ben Stiller and a performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody” with Brian May at Coachella. His breakthrough hit “Beautiful Things” was the most-streamed song of 2024, and he followed it up last summer with the hit album American Heart. $49.65-$284.25, 8 p.m., Frost Bank Center, One Frost Bank Center Drive, (210) 444-5140, frostbankcenter.com. — Danny Cervantes
La Noche Del Tigre
La Noche Del Tigre is a star-studded variety show, bringing Texas talents together for a mix of live music and stand-up comedy. Think of it more as a mini-festival than your standard show, with almost all genres of Texas music covered. This installment will include Austin soul queen Tameca Jones, blues phenom Eric Tessmer, outlaw country singer James Bullard and Southern hip-hop duo Blackillac. Flying in for the show are New York’s Sana Sana, freshly signed to Republic Records, and LA’s Abomic Toms. Throw in comedians Nacya Marreiro and Chris Tellez, and you’ve got a hell of a show for a surprisingly affordable door price. $25, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — BB
Friday, Aug. 21
Survival Guide, Please Drown, Hotel Diplomats, Little Joe and the Dead Boys
San Antonio-based electronic indie-pop solo act Survival Guide — real name Emily Whitehurst — isn’t your typical ethereal, bubblegum chanteuse. First of all, she’s got a punk rock background as Agent M, the frontwoman of California punk band and Warped Tour mainstays Tsunami Bomb. That punk aesthetic still comes through, even in Whitehurst’s approach to her new genre. Grimes is an obvious influence, but other influences stray farther afield, including Depeche Mode, Metric and Peter Gabriel. Survival Guide will be joined on this all-local bill by atmospheric alt-rockers Please Drown, hard-charging blues rockers Hotel Diplomats and punk-flecked indie act Little Joe and the Dead Boys. Stable Hall continues to lift up SA music in its stately setting, and this one is not to be missed. $10 advance, $15 at the door, 8 p.m., Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway, stablehall.com. — Stephanie Koithan
Jackson Marshall
SA native Jackson Marshall has been making waves with a unique take on indie-pop — the writing is charming yet somehow feels effortless. Is it too slick for SA heshers? Maybe. But Marshall seems to be making a real connection with a fresh generation of independent-minded pop lovers. $23, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — BB
Hardy, Jake Worthington, McCoy Moore
Singer-songwriter Hardy’s album, aptly titled COUNTRY! COUNTRY! is a departure from the arena-rock riffs of his previous LP, QUIT! That one featured Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and caught the attention of Metallica’s James Hetfield. Hardy has written 16 No. 1 singles for artists including Florida Georgia Line and Morgan Wallen, and he’s also collaborated with Lainey Wilson, Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson. $79.31-$274.29, 6:55 p.m., Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels, (830) 964-3800, whitewaterrocks.com. — DC
Saturday, Aug. 22
Palomazo Norteño
Formed in 2023,Mexican norteño supergroup Palomazo Norteño features four pioneers of the genre: Lalo Mora, Eliseo Robles, Rosendo Cantú and Raúl Hernández. The group’s touring in both Mexico and the U.S. has brought the norteño sound to a whole new generation of listeners. These singers may be old-timers, but they have used that to comedic effect on several recent TikToks that have gone viral. $67, 8 p.m., Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St., (210) 226-1177, freemancoliseum.com. — BB
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