If you’ve ever said, “They don’t make music like they used to,” you’d be amazed by how many talented rock musicians are hiding in plain sight right here in Austin, Texas.
Beyond the algorithms and headlines, there are hundreds of local musicians playing songs with meaningful lyrics & catchy rock riffs, week after week, perfecting their sound. For those of us who grew up letting albums play all the way through, that kind of craftsmanship still matters! We put together a handful of local rock bands playing the Red River Cultural District’s FREE WEEK, January 9th and 10th , that we think might surprise you if you head downtown this weekend.
- SKLOSS’ debut album was released last March, 2025
- Heavy, fuzzed out noise rock from powerhouse husband-and-wife duo on Drums and Guitar.
- Listen if you like: grunge, doomy Black Keys, headbanging slowly, or instru-metal songs that make you think.
- Heavy alternative Rock & Metal, with a splash of 90’s rock
- Loud 3-piece
- in-your-face vocals and catchy, heavy riffs
- Listen if you like: Mastadon, Deftones, alternative metal
- Blues/Psychedelic Rock music with a tex-mex flair + pop sensibilities
- Born and raised in Houston, Tx, Nick Diaz has played in Austin for over a decade, and recently toured Argentina!
- If you like Texas blues and Soul music that gives you purpose and makes you want to dance
- Paramore-esque vocals over driving rock meoldies & harmonies
- Anthem-rock that will keep your feet stomping
- A little Punk, a little Alternative, all Rock n Roll
- Impressive punk rock with punchy choruses and beats that will keep your head bangin’
- Catchy lyrics & rocking guitar solos
- Released their third album in three years in 2025, Casting Pearls Before Swine
- Lady-fronted punk rock jam band, with 90s and 2000s rock elements
- Catchy & energetic dance rock that makes you want to throw a few punches in the pit (maybe, if we were still 25).
- Blues and psychedelic jamband meets 60s & 70s surf, punk & classic rock ‘n roll
- Beatles-esque multi-harmonies that will leave you pleasantly surprised
- A unique blend of genres – check out their 2 sided EP, “Suit Yourself,” released in 2025
- driving 80s synths meets catchy female vocals that carry you deep into each track
- electronic dreampop duo with darkwave & progressive rock elements with an upbeat tone
- Listen if you like Massive Attack, Portishead, and hypnotic newwave beats
