THEY LOVE THE '80s
I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of tribute-band names. I’ve never seen the Abba tribute band Bjorn Again or the Doors tribute band The Back Doors, but I kinda love both of them simply for the effort they put into their monikers.
Normally, I’m less enthusiastic about the idea of actually listening to a tribute band, but this weekend the Wiggle Room (2301 S. Presa) hosts a tribute-band spectacular with a concept that makes sense. “Indie ’80,” the brainchild of local artist Wilton, will feature three San Antonio bands (and a DJ) devoting their sets to a favorite alterna-act of the Reagan Decade.
DJ Epsr will christen the proceedings with a mash-up of ’80s classics, and Big Soy will follow with a Violent Femmes set. Buttercup will then tackle the catalog of Talking Heads, followed by Wilton paying tribute to the ironic mopiness of the Smiths. If you can forgive the absence of the Hoodoo Gurus, it should be a night of great tunes and giant suits. “Indie ’80” is scheduled for Saturday, September 23 at 8 p.m. Cover charge is $5.
RAP PACKAGE
Whenever a major-label rap show comes to town, it reminds us that San Antonio is the least-urban big city in the country. The recent, inaugural Beat Bash is primarily remembered for the planning and organizational glitches that many attribute to a certain local radio station out of touch with the hip-hop community.
The next big rap show to hit the Alamo City features: a solid entertainer in Chris Brown; the worst qualities of commercial rap via Dem Franchize Boyz; clumsy Dip-Set affiliate Juelz Santana; underrated Cash Money lyricist Lil Wayne; and middle-school poster boy Ne-Yo.
These kind of package tours are important because they inspire local acts to step up their game, at least in terms of hustle. Chris Brown alone should be worth the price of admission and his duet with Lil Wayne could be a seminal moment for the younger heads. The show comes to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater on Thursday, September 21. Showtime is 7 p.m. and tickets range from $25.50-55.50.
KEEP SA CURRENT!
Since 1986, the SA Current has served as the free, independent voice of San Antonio, and we want to keep it that way.
Becoming an SA Current Supporter for as little as $5 a month allows us to continue offering readers access to our coverage of local news, food, nightlife, events, and culture with no paywalls.
Scroll to read more Music Stories & Interviews articles
