Local Texas Bands Releasing New Music, Bands From Out of Town Coming to Your City on Tour – We Have It All for You in This Month’s Texas Tunes. 

#1 Two Step Inn Festival

Last year, Georgetown proudly introduced the inaugural Two Step Inn festival, a resounding triumph that left attendees eagerly awaiting its return. This year, mark your calendars for April 20-21 as the festival makes a triumphant comeback, promising an unforgettable experience with a stellar lineup of country music’s finest.

Headlining this year’s event are renowned artists such as Cody Johnson, Turnpike Troubadours, Ryan Bingham, Hank Williams, along with country legends Martina McBride and Clint Black. The lineup also boasts Texas favorites like Pat Green and Charley Crockett, with a surprise appearance by rapper Ludacris on Sunday.

But the festival is more than just music. Indulge your taste buds with an array of culinary delights from vendors like Catfish Parlor, CM Smokehouse, and Burro Cheese Kitchen, alongside local favorites such as American Drifter and Vaqueras Hat Co. offering a unique shopping experience.

With tickets selling swiftly, secure your spot for one or both days before they’re gone. For the latest updates, including the festival’s daily schedule and map, visit their website.  Don’t miss out on the excitement of Two Step Inn—it’s an event you don’t want to miss!

#2 Beach Weather

Domain NORTHSIDE in North Austin is excited to continue its free concert series with a live performance by renowned American rock ‘n’ roll band Beach Weather on Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m. The event will also feature streetside pop-up bars, yard games, photo opportunities and more.  

“We can’t wait for Domain NORTHSIDE’s guests to experience Beach Weather’s incredible music and energy,” said Alison Goodman, senior marketing director at Northwood Retail. “Our free concert series has become a North Austin favorite event and we love bringing the community together for these shows.” 

Hailing from Boston, Beach Weather was formed in 2015 by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Nick Santino, and is best known for their song “Sex, Drugs, Etc.” which was certified Platinum last year. 

#3 Hiromi’s Sonicwonder

Hiromi’s Sonicwonder is performing at the Paramount Theatre & Parker Jazz Club in Austin on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. (Sonicwonder) and April 27 at 6 p.m. (Hiromi solo special dinner show). Tickets are $40-$90 on 4/26 and $250 for the dinner show on 4/27 for all ages. 

​​Since Hiromi’s debut album Another Mind (2003), the world-renowned pianist’s sound has evolved with every release, erasing the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Now she changes tack again with her heaviest, funkiest album yet: Sonicwonderland.

#4 Jade Bird

Jade Bird announces Burn The Hard Drive EP, out April 10 on Glassnote Records. UK-born and Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Jade Bird has today announced her forthcoming EP, Burn The Hard Drive, out April 10 on Glassnote Records. Like falling in love, break-ups start slowly and then happen all at once. For Jade Bird, the end of her relationship gathered pace and crashed into reality in 2022, resulting in the beautifully temperate EP Burn The Hard Drive. The EP, created with Alex Crossan, known better as Mura Masa, is a short collection of songs that paint the various stages of grief that come with the end of a relationship in devastatingly astute but carefully optimistic strokes.

Today, Bird shares the latest tease of the EP with her new single “You’ve Fallen In Love Again,” where Bird’s hushed vocals twinkle across a winding bass line with otherworldly synths popping in and out of focus.

Performances:

Thu, April 11 – Houston, TX – The Heights Theater

Sat, April 13 – Austin, TX – Mohawk

Sun, April 14 – Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater

#5 NEEDTOBREATHE

NEEDTOBREATHE will be in Austin next week for their performance at the CMT Music Awards and are taping for CMT Crossroads while they’re in town. It will be a performance/discussion with country artist Jordan Davis at UT Tower on April 5.

They’ll be playing songs from their acclaimed new album CAVES.

GRAMMY nominated multi-platinum band NEEDTOBREATHE are a dynamic force in rock, who have generated over one billion streams, topped several Billboard Radio, Album and Sales Charts and have sold-out arenas and amphitheaters all over the world. They’ve garnered two Billboard Music Award Nominations, and appeared on nearly every network television show including The Today Show, Good Morning America, Ellen, The Late Late Show with James Corden and CBS’ Sunday Morning.  Even as the pandemic raged, NEEDTOBREATHE continued to expand its fanbase, as evidenced by their 2020 album release, Out of Body. It received worldwide critical praise and debuted in the Top 5 of three Billboard Charts. Their surprise eighth studio album Into The Mystery was their 5th No. 1 album. An accompanying feature length documentary was released the following November in theaters across the US.

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Cover Photo courtesy Marcela Laskoski, Unsplash

Gracie Watt is a regular contributor to Texas Lifestyle Magazine and a graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, with a degree in Journalism. Watt is also a Lifestyle Producer at NBC-affiliate KXAN’s Studio 512. When she’s not writing, Watt enjoys singing, playing the guitar and doing volunteer work. 

Brian Maass is a native Austinite who has a passion for music, travel and sharing his experiences through his camera lens. He lives in Round Rock, Texas, with his wife Dana Kent Maass and their faithful dog Chester.