Celebrate Antone’s all week long and more live music
Friday-Thursday: Antone’s 43rd Anniversary Bash. Technically, this annual celebration at Austin’s home of the blues is a monthlong affair, having begun June 29 and set to conclude July 28. For most of that stretch, anniversary events are scattered here and there; but this particular week marks the heart of the party, with shows every single night. Kicking it off Friday is a “Southwest Louisiana Swampede” starring C.C. Adcock, plus an early show with saxophonist Frank “Wild Jalapeno” Rodarte. Saturday’s Chicago Blues Celebration lost a headliner last month when Matt “Guitar” Murphy died at age 88, but the train will roll on with Billy Boy Arnold, Bob Stroger, Bob Margolin and more. Hometown heroes such as Miss Lavelle White, W.C. Clark, Derek O’Brien and Marcia Ball dig in on Sunday and Monday, before a Tuesday triple-threat women’s bill starring Barbara Lynn, Sue Foley and Lou Ann Barton. A Cliff ’s Kids reunion and bassist Tommy Shannon’s crew hold down the fort Wednesday, followed by Thursday’s marquee gig with guitar great Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-AWhirl Band. Ticket prices vary; check antonesnightclub.com for the full run and details. 305 E. Fifth St. — P.B.
Saturday: BUSA Block Party at Empire. For well over a decade, Zeale has been a battle-tested standout on the Austin rap scene. When he paired with industrial beat duo Nght Hcklrs to form Blastfamous USA, he became the revolution rap superhero we need right now. The crew is celebrating a new EP release, and they’ve brought along a stellar cast of friends and collaborators. Expressive pop artist Mobley, protest punks Blxpltn and electrosoul trio Fort Never fill out the bill. $10. 606 E. Seventh St. empireatx.com — D.S.S.
Wednesday: Johnny Irion at Cactus Cafe. Folk-rocker Irion and his wife, Sarah Lee Guthrie, make music much like Austin’s country couple Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis: Often they work together, but they’ve made records on their own as well. Irion’s new “Driving Friend” is the first under his own name since 2007. Sarah Lee does appear on the album, but more fundamental in shaping its richly melodic sound are members of Dawes, Wilco and Mother Hips. Irion’s pedigree goes back to his mid-’90s days with North Carolina alt-rockers Queen Sarah Saturday, and he’s also recorded with the band U.S. Elevator, but all three of his solo records stand out as highlights in a now long and fruitful career. Austin troubadour Mike Stinson opens. $15$20. 8:30 p.m. 2247 Guadalupe St. cactuscafe.org. — P.B.
Wednesday: Texas Radio Live with Dawn & Hawkes, Nichole Wagner at Guero’s. It’s not quite a dual recordrelease party — Dawn & Hawkes have their own on Friday at Cactus Cafe, and Wagner follows with a July 14 soiree at the Townsend — but this weekly show on Sun Radio allows both artists to play their new songs live for a wider audience on the airwaves. Folk-pop couple Miranda Dawn and Chris Hawkes’ “The Other Side” follows their 2012 debut “Golden Heart and 2015’s “Yours and Mine”; singer-songwriter Wagner’s latest is called “And the Sky Caught Fire.” No cover; donations accepted. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1412 S. Congress