The Texas country favorites returned to Cedar Park for a night of live music alongside rising artists The Lockhearts and Braedon Barnhill. 

The Josh Abbott Band returned to Haute Spot in Cedar Park on Friday, Aug. 21, bringing along rising Texas artists The Lockhearts and Braedon Barnhill for a night that showcased several generations of Texas country music. With three acts on the bill, the evening gave fans a chance to discover some new music before settling in for a familiar collection of Josh Abbott Band favorites.

The Lockhearts

Austin-based sister duo The Lockhearts opened the evening with a sound built around the natural harmonies of Paige and Kate. Their voices fit together effortlessly, but it was the confidence behind their performance that made their short set stand out. The sisters have been singing and writing songs together since childhood, and that connection came through from the moment they stepped onstage.

The Lockhearts recently released their newest single, “Wish You Well,” adding to a growing catalog that includes “Running Outta Road,” “Porch Light” and “Pretty Is Mean.” The duo will return to Austin on Sept. 4 to open for Nate Miller at Stubb’s, followed by performances at Star Hill Ranch on Sept. 18 and Guero’s on Sept. 19. More information can be found on The Lockhearts’ official website.

Braedon Barnhill

Braedon Barnhill followed with a set that showed why his name continues to pop up across the Texas music scene. His songs carry an easygoing Texas country sound, but there is also a personal quality to his writing that makes the music feel lived-in. Barnhill appeared comfortable on the Haute Spot stage, delivering the kind of performance that could easily win over listeners hearing him for the first time.

Barnhill’s recent releases include “Long Way to Lubbock” and an acoustic version of the song, following his 2025 Oklahoma EP. His upcoming schedule includes shows at CLIVE on Rainey in Austin on Aug. 29, Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse in Spicewood on Sept. 4 and a Sept. 20 acoustic performance with the Eli Young Band in Beaumont. Additional music and tour information are available through Braedon Barnhill’s official website.

Josh Abbott Band

By the time the Josh Abbott Band took the stage, the Haute Spot crowd was more than ready. For nearly two decades, the band has built its reputation through energetic live shows and songs that have become part of the Texas country soundtrack. Friday night offered another reminder of why fans continue to return whenever Josh Abbott and company come through town.

There is something especially fitting about seeing the Josh Abbott Band at an outdoor Texas venue. The band knows how to keep a crowd involved, shifting comfortably between the songs longtime fans came to hear and newer material. Their latest single, “Fan of You,” is available now, while “27 Little Butterflies,” released earlier this year, was written as a tribute to the young lives lost in the Camp Mystic flooding.

The road continues for the Josh Abbott Band with upcoming performances in Colorado Springs on Sept. 6, Frisco on Sept. 11, Amarillo on Sept. 12 and Johnson City on Oct. 3. The band will also return to the San Antonio area for a Nov. 7 show at John T. Floore’s Country Store. Music, tickets and a complete list of dates are available at the Josh Abbott Band’s official website.

With three Texas acts sharing the stage, Friday night felt like more than another stop on the tour. It was a look at where Texas country has been, where it is now and a glimpse of the artists who may help carry it forward. Here are a few more photos for you to enjoy.

More Photos

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Cover Photo Brian Maass

Brian Maass is a native Austinite, writer and photographer covering live music, travel, and culture, with a passion for storytelling through the lens of his camera. He lives in Round Rock with his wife, Dr. Dana Kent Maass, and their rescue dog, Chester. Instagram @brian_maass_adventures.