OUR TOP PICKS
Friday: Delbert McClinton at Paramount Theatre. The Paramount seems drawn to West Texas living legends lately, as the first few weeks of 2017 have brought marquee events for Terry Allen, Joe Ely and now Delbert McClinton. All three spent their early years in the Panhandle, but McClinton, who got his start in music as a teen in Fort Worth, became a star after moving to Los Angeles in the 1970s. One of the most impressive aspects of all three of these musicians is that they have continued to make new music at a high creative level in their senior years. That’s clearly evident on McClinton’s “Prick of the Litter,” released last month. Featuring 10 originals and two choice covers, it works that soulful groove between blues, rock, jazz and country that seems to come more naturally to Delbert than almost any of his peers. $28-$63. 8 p.m. 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org. — P.B.
Friday: RJD2 at Empire. An early digital innovator who made his name over a decade ago with tasteful, sample-heavy hip-hop instrumentals, the artist also know as Ramble John Krohn has matured into an evocative composer. His aggressively introverted 2016 album “Dame Fortune” alternates wistful melodies and soulful love songs with ominous angular soundscapes that release into smooth dance grooves. For this show, he will be performing with a live band. $20-$25. Doors at 7 p.m. 606 E. Seventh St. empireatx.com — D.S.S.
Saturday: Neil Fest: Celebrating The Music Of Neil Young at Paramount Theatre. Go out any night of the week in Austin and you might hear a Neil Young cover; recently I’ve caught local bands doing “Heart of Gold,” “Unknown Legend” and “Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere,” for example. But this show is on another level, an all-Neil all-night party with big names at the city’s premier historic theater. A benefit for the Refuge Foundation for the Arts, a nonprofit providing “patronage and opportunity to creators in a supportive and collaborative environment,” the show features ringers Norah Jones and Boz Scaggs plus rising-star visitors Alison Mosshart (of the Kills), Robert Ellis and Nikki Lane, along with many of Austin’s top acts, including Shakey Graves, Charlie Sexton, Erika Wennerstrom of Heartless Bastards, Alex Maas of the Black Angels, James Petralli of White Denim, Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit and Jeff Klein of My Jerusalem. $39.50-$45. 8 p.m. 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org. — P.B.
Courtesy of Michael Lavine.
Saturday: Tacocat at Barracuda. The Seattle-based feminist punk crew’s lead singer recently told her local National Public Radio affiliate that the current political climate makes her want to “write an album full of shrieking harpy noises.” On the band’s excellent 2016 album “Lost Time,” she twisted the rage into wry humor while the band alternated aggressive thrashers with beachy pop punk. Daddy Issues and Tele Novella open. $12. 9 p.m. doors. 611 E. Seventh St. barracudaaustin.com — D.S.S.
ALSO PLAYING
Friday-Saturday
Austin Samba presents The Big Easy at the State Theater
Friday
Yonder Mountain String Band, G. Love & Special Sauce at Stubb’s outdoor
Al Di Meola at One World Theatre
Save Ferris, Vista Kicks, First Year Fight at Barracuda
Griswolds, Dreamers, Modern Medicine at Mohawk outdoor
Zoe Keating at Parish
Red Bull Sound Select presents Baauer, Pell at Vulcan Gas Company
Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, Girls Guns & Glory at Continental Club
Later Days album release, Locket, Fader Friend, Gold Steps at Grizzly Hall
Katy Starr album release, Christina Cavazos at Spider House Ballroom
Cover Letter EP release, Canvas People at One-2-One Bar
Eric Tessmer, Tommy Shannon Blues Band, Bobby Mack at Antone’s
Jai Malano at Geraldine’s
Tomar & the FCs, Rosie & the Ramblers at White Horse
Red Young Quintet at Elephant Room
Katy Starr album release at Spiderhouse
Sound Dessert presents “Nasty Bits” Planned Parenthood Benefit with Digital Wild at Swan Dive
Jane Ellen Bryant at C-Boy’s
Drakes at Sam’s Town Point
We Are Blood Bays at Oskar Blues
Saturday-Sunday
Will Sexton & Amy LaVere at Townsend
Saturday
Pat Green, Flatland Cavalry at ACL Live
Jonathan Richman, James Intveld, Two Tons of Steel, Redd Volkaert at Continental Club
Blind Pilot, Dickie at Emo’s
Eastside Kings CD release party, Kelly Willis at Antone’s
Molly Burch record release, Cross Record, Julia Lucille at Mohawk indoor
Seth Walker, Johnny Nicholas, Shelley King at Saxon Pub
Carolyn Wonderland & Davy Knowles, Jennifer B & the Groove at One-2-One Bar
Ephraim Owens Quintet at Elephant Room
Ovrld presents Mélat intimate CD release at Vinyl
Ray Prim at Geraldine’s
Sharon Bourbonnais at Cactus Cafe
Mama K & the Shades at Stubb’s indoor
Money Chicha, Como Las Movies at ABGB
Two Hoots & a Holler, Lloyd Tripp at Sam’s Town Point
Mrs. Glass at Driskill Bar
Soundgarden tribute with Rusted Cage at Parish
Beatles tribute with Eggmen at El Mercado Backstage
Talking Heads tribute with HeartByrne at Oskar Blues
Sunday
Sting, Joe Sumner & the Last Bandoleros at ACL Live (sold out)
Steep Canyon Rangers at One World Theatre
Plan B at Coliseum
Black & White Years, Shark Rider, TV Heads at Barracuda
James Intveld at Little Longhorn Saloon
Cowboy Irie, Continental Drift, Katie Shore at Sahara Lounge
Greg Izor & the Box Kickers, Miss Lavelle White at Antone’s
Wagoneers, Mike Stinson at C-Boy’s
