Austin Acts You Should Be Paying Attention To

Austin, Texas is a city that truly needs no introduction — especially when it comes to music. I am honored to have grown up where music is so deeply ingrained in the culture of the city; you couldn’t escape it if you wanted to. Whether visitors from across the country are swarming South Congress during South By Southwest or Austin City Limits Festivals, or it’s a casual weekday evening in the Red River Cultural District, Austin never fails to live up to its title as the “Live Music Capital of the World.” Beyond festivals and bustling venues, Austin also serves as an incubator for aspiring artists, offering a supportive community and countless stages to cut their teeth on. The city’s sun-soaked streets and weird, laid-back zest continues to inspire some of the best in indie, country, folk, rock, blues, and all the sounds that live in between. Let us highlight just a few acts who have graced the Austin music scene in recent years.

Listen to Bo Staloch on Spotify.

One name you’ll want to keep on your radar is Bo Staloch. Raised in Austin and now spending time in Nashville, Staloch brings a raw, folksy sound that captures the youthful, unpolished spirit that defines the heart of the city. I had the joy of seeing him live during last year’s Free Week — a beloved Red River tradition every January — and the energy in the room was palpable. Since then, it’s only been up. Staloch’s been carving out an impressive run of live shows across the United States and abroad, whether he’s headlining, showing up on festival lineups, or earning spots supporting names like Zach Bryan, Ashe, Houndmouth, and John Vincent III. You can catch him at Lollapalooza this summer in Chicago, but in the meantime, don’t miss his debut EP, The Garden, which was released last month and is streaming everywhere.

The name says it all—howdy! Hovvdy is the duo composed of Will Taylor and Charlie Martin, two Austin locals who have been releasing music as an act since 2016. Their sound is slow and introspective, rooted in indie folk and rock with just the right touch of country twang — one of my favorite, glorious blends. Their latest self-titled album dropped last year, with one standout track “Forever” even landing a well-deserved spot on Spotify’s “Best Indie Songs of 2024.” They’ve been on the road for most of the spring, bringing a classic Austin warmth to venues across the country, and they’ll wrap up this American leg in late May with a few final stops down South. Be sure to explore their tender discography, or find them this summer on tour with Shakey Graves — another Austin legend — or at indie’s finest festival, Kilby Block Party. 

Originally started as a high school project up in Connecticut, Sarah and the Sundays have since planted deep roots in Austin’s indie music scene, and they’ve been blossoming ever since. Now a tight five-piece band, their sound is well-suited for summer evenings at Zilker Park and dips in Lady Bird Lake. Their love for the city is even written in their lyrics. The Cue,” the leading track off their latest studio album Like A Damn Dog, name-drops Austin’s own Barton Springs, a large natural springs pool, within the first 15 seconds, a wholesome nod to an Austin favorite. Like the other acts previously mentioned, they’ve been on a North American tour for most of this spring, but I’d argue they’re saving the best for last with their final show in Austin on May 31. For our non-Austinite readers, you can find the rest of their touring schedule here.

Sarah and the Sundays via Live Nation.

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