Music industry pundits predicted 2022 would a banner year for tours after artists spent the past two years idled by the worst of the pandemic.
This week's live music events in San Antonio suggest the experts got it right. The city will play host to a bevy of touring acts ranging from masked C&W oddity Orville Peck and the folk-rocking Avett Brothers to acclaimed singer-songwriter James McMurtry and a package show featuring Mexican divas Alejandra Guzman and Paulina Rubio.
Let's dive in.
Wednesday, May 4
Orville Peck
Like the mysterious stranger in a spaghetti western, oddball country phenomenon Orville Peck is riding in to make his San Antonio debut, sporting his signature fringed mask, of course. Peck is supporting the new release Bronco. The openly gay performer's first album Pony bore a clear Sun Records influence — think early Elvis and Johnny Cash. His covers of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" and Bronski Beat's "Smalltown Boy" twang up those queer anthems. Sold Out, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary's St., papertigersatx.com. — Danny Cervantes
Thursday May 5
Erick y Grupo Massore
What do you get when you mix lively cumbia con power? A chance to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with frontman Erick Sánchez Tovar and his ensemble. Born in Nueva Rosita, Mexico, Erick will undoubtedly bring his contagious energy to this fiesta. DJ Rudy Rios opens. $10, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary's St., papertigersatx.com. — DC
Friday, May 6
James McMurtry
Singer-songwriter James McMurtry went seven years between LPs before releasing The Horses and the Hounds last summer, which he recorded with production legend Ross Hogarth (Van Halen, John Fogerty, Keb' Mo'). While that's a new collaboration for McMurtry — the son of Lonesome Dove author Larry McMurtry — the album plays to his strengths, namely a storytelling style that's earned praise from genre icons. $15, 8 p.m., Gruene Hall, 1281 Gruene Road, New Braunfels, (830) 606-1281, gruenehall.com. — Mike McMahan
Turnpike Troubadours
When the Turnpike Troubadours' reunion was announced late in 2021 after a two-year hiatus, the hype level in the red-dirt country world went straight, well, into the red. The beloved Oklahoma country outfit is hitting Floore's as part of that much-anticipated reunion, but unless you've already got tickets, you're not going ... or you're hitting the 'hub and digging deep into your wallet. Sold out, 8:30 p.m., John T. Floore's Country Store, 14492 Old Bandera Road, (210) 695-8827, liveatfloores.com. — MM
Friday and Saturday, May 6-7
The Avett Brothers
Looking for truth? You might find it in New Braunfels when North Carolina folk-rockers the Avett Brothers return to Whitewater for the first time since 2019. Expect a mix of fan favorites and covers ranging from Bob Dylan to Bob Wills. Brothers Scott and Seth Avett founded the group in 2001 in a career that has blended folk music with virtually every genre including both country and punk along with the expected rock. The production of the brothers' ninth studio album, True Sadness, was the subject of Judd Apatow's 2017 documentary May It Last. $55, 8 p.m., Whitewater Amphitheater, 11860 FM 306, New Braunfels, (830) 964-3800, whitewaterrocks.com. — DC
Saturday May 7
Kurt Vile and the Violators
Following the April release of his ninth studio album, (watch my moves), Kurt Vile is bringing his lo-fi indie-rock sensibilities to SA. Philly's Constant Hitmaker, as Vile refers to himself, combines intricate songwriting with a sound that draws from diverse influences including Pavement, John Prine and Neil Young. Vile and the Violators' 2021 cover of the Velvet Underground's "Run Run Run" puts a jaunty take on the classic. Sold out, 8 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary's, (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — DC
Passing Strangers
For San Antonians who remember the (first) cassette era, Passing Strangers is synonymous with high school prom performances. More than 30 years after the release of their Moment in Time EP, these Texas dance club stalwarts are back to delight the nostalgic with their synth-pop cover of Gary Wright's "Dream Weaver" and other retro goodness $15, 9 p.m., Sam's Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint.com. — DC
Executioner's Mask
Gothy droners Executioner's Mask may not sound as scary as their name portends, but their vibe is still graveyard-adjacent, inspired no doubt by spooky post-punk acts including Bauhaus and Sisters of Mercy. We're guessing plenty of folks will use this show as an excuse to smear on copious amounts of black eyeliner, emulating Robert Pattinson in The Batman. $15-$17, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary's St., papertigersatx.com. — BE
Sunday, May 8
Alejandra Guzman, Paulina Rubio
Famed Mexican singer Alejandra Guzman, known as "The Queen of Hearts," continues to spread her ballads of love and loss to audiences across the world, this time with "Border Girl" Paulina Rubio in tow. Guzman and Rubio must have made amends since their past quarrels over the same guy — Erik Rubín — as the queens are spending the run of an entire tour together. $59.59-$250, 7:30 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire.com. — BE
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