Coldtowne at the Cactus
COMEDY
8:00 P.M., 2/21/2022, Cactus Cafe, $18 online, $22 at the door
Think you could use a good laugh this week? You won’t want to miss this star-studded lineup of Austin comedians, hosted by the Cactus Cafe and presented by Coldtowne Theater, the comedy club located next to the former I Heart Video (RIP). Coldtowne lost its physical space over quarantine but has maintained a core group of devoted performers and attendees. With acts ranging from standup to improv to sketch, this comedic variety show is sure to bust some guts. More info.
Half Alive
INDIE POP
7:00 PM, 02/24/2022, Emo’s, $25
Hailing from Long Beach, CA, Half Alive makes airy, catchy tunes to dance your butt off to. Reminiscent of Phoenix, layered over early-Calvin-Harris-esque beats, their sound is both unique and nostalgic, their lyricism sentimental. This event will require proof of vaccination as well as face masks. More info.
Early Show: My Education & The Gary
ROCK
6:30, 02/25/2022, Hotel Vegas, $5 Cash at the door
Something about math rock and an early set just feels right… Instrumental, six-piece group My Education will open for Austin-based garage rock trio, The Gary. The two groups have distinct sounds, yet they seem to compliment one another perfectly—a little bit of compositional duality as a TREAT, for those of us who maybe enjoy a 9-10 PM sleep routine… More info.
Rick Maguire Solo Show with Little Mazarn
INDIE ROCK, FOLK
6:00 PM, 02/26/2022, Kinda Tropical, $15
Pile, the popular indie rock collective from Boston, Massachusetts, has never existed without one Rick Maguire, who began the project as a solo act and has recently returned to just that, now performing under his own name. His set will be followed by Austin’s own Little Mazarn, a two piece banjo outfit with soft, dreamy vocals and a subtle but unmistakable Appalachian twang. More info.
HAVEN: Benefitting KOOP Radio 91.7!
GOTH/INDUSTRIAL
2/06/2022, 9:30 PM, Elysium
We will be busting out several sub-genre bangers at this one! Featuring: synth-pop duo AI, Dallas’s electro/industrial SPANKTHENUN, and San Francisco based goth staple DJ Owen. This event will promote KOOP 91.7’s Spring Membership Drive, the proceeds for which will help us continue to air such beloved shows as as event co-organizers Darkest Before Dawn! More info.
Greg Casar Fundraiser
FUNDRAISER
8:00 PM, 02/27/2022, Empire Garage, $25
Greg Casar, former member of Austin City Council and Democratic Socialist, is running for Congressional District 35, and has the support of local bands Sweet Spirit and Greyhounds. Sweet Spirit never fails to put on a hell of a show—not unlike the emphatic front woman Sabrina Ellis and co-songwriter Andrew Cashen’s other notable high-energy band, A Giant Dog. More info.
By Shannon Mullery