San Antonio’s concert calendar gets weird, loud and nostalgic this week, with everything from Sonic the Hedgehog tunes played by a live band to a stacked night of melodic death metal. And for those who prefer throwback tunes to blue hedgehogs or blast beats, Journey and Foreigner are both rolling through town to play the hits … again.
Friday, Oct. 9
The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Heavy Meddo, Porridge Fist
If you’re looking for a lineup that’s literally twice as heavy — and weird — than the usual, this is it. The showcase of top-tier local talent is headlined by The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, named after a book-within-a-book in Phillip K. Dick’s Man in The High Castle. The avant-metal band is joined by tape manipulators Heavy Meddo, a self-described post-rock, post-punk and “post-using the word post” band featuring madman Jonathan Horne of the Young Mothers and other experimental projects on guitar. In the interest of full disclosure, Current music writer Bill Baird is also in this band on guitar, synth and vocals. (He doesn’t know we’re writing this.) The heady and heavy lineup is rounded out by progressive shoegaze act Porridge Fist, which describes itself as “music to make you feel alone.” Fitting for the Lonesome Rose, but what’s in a name? Free, 9 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — Stephanie Koithan
Saturday, Oct. 10
Sonic Live in Concert
As the name suggests, this is a live band performing music from the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog video game. It’s just bizarre and nerdy enough to be interesting and unexpected. Is it pure nostalgia and a little gimmicky? Yes. Will it be awesome? Probably also yes. $96-$228, 8 p.m., Boeing Center at Tech Port, 3331 General Hudnell Drive, (210) 600-3699, boeingcentertechport.com. — Bill Baird
Teddy and the Rough Riders, Sunjammer, John Charlie’s Heavy Love
Nashville-based country-rock act Teddy and the Rough Riders is headlining this bill, which otherwise is another solid showcase of top-tier local talent. Sunjammer, a local jam band — and we don’t mean that in the derogatory sense — will bring the mellow vibes while John Dailey’s Heavy Love will offer up jangle-pop psychedelia. $14.91, 9 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerosesa.com. — SK
Journey
It’s fitting that one of the original arena rock bands, Journey, visits the house that the Spurs dynasty built. The band’s mega-hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” has become ubiquitous at arenas around the world. Journey has faced myriad lineup changes and plenty of tumult over the years, but fans still keep flocking to the live shows. This tour is billed as The Final Frontier, and longtime member Jonathan Cain is expected to depart when it’s all over. $49.85 and up, 7:30 p.m., Frost Bank Center, One Frost Bank Center Drive, (210) 444-5140, frostbankcenter.com. — Danny Cervantes
Ivri
New York artist Ivri’s name is pronounced the same as the off-white color and the material that makes up elephants’ tusks. She got her first big break from her viral TikTok track “tower of memories,” which blended elements of punk, pop and electro. Weaving between dream pop, R&B, indie rock and electronica, Ivri leans big into 2000s nostalgia on her latest EP, evidence of you, and does it well. $23.57, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — Brianna Espinoza
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Arch Enemy, Crypta, Septicflesh, Thrown into Exile and The Black Dahlia Murder
Started as a supergroup, the melodic death metal act Arch Enemy has emerged as a respected metal draw worldwide. With a roster of acclaimed vocalists that includes Alissa White-Gluz, Angela Gossow and, as of this year, Lauren Hart — who previously fronted the band Once Human — Arch Enemy continues to release anthemic sing-alongs full of dueling guitar licks and harsh vocals. Get there early for this stacked lineup. $53-$86.75, 6 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — BE
Foreigner
AOR kingpins Foreigner are touring in celebration of the band’s 50th anniversary — even though none of its original members remain. The last of those, guitarist and vocalist Mick Jones, retired from touring in 2023, leaving the act composed of a conglomeration of musicians picked up along the years. But we’re guessing enough folks nostalgic for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s inescapable hits such as “Juke Box Hero” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You” are willing to accept them being played by the next generation carrying the torch. $59.78-$1,354.50, 8 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (888) 811-5040, us.atgtickets.com/whats-on/san-antonio. — BE
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