Monday: Townes Van Zandt tribute with Butch Hancock at Cactus Cafe. The late, great Townes Van Zandt would have turned 73 on Tuesday, but since his death on New Year’s Day 1997, his music has lived on through countless musicians who have continue to play his songs on record and onstage. One constant for two decades now has been this Townes birthday show with his good friend Butch Hancock as host (presented a day early this year so as not to conflict with Tuesday’s big celebration for KUTX’s John Aielli that the Cactus is presenting at Hogg Auditorium). The cast of characters changes every year, but the songs remain the same: indelible, timeless classics from the most memorable Texas troubadour of them all. $25. [Update: sold out.] 8 p.m. 2247 Guadalupe St. cactuscafe.org. — P.B.
Tuesday: John Aielli “Eklektikos” 50th Anniversary Concert at Hogg Auditorium. It’s not just any DJ whose off-the-cuff musings inspire a Twitter account with an unprintable handle. KUT/KUTX’s John Aielli has won over Austinites with his quirky taste and charm across five decades, and the celebration of that anniversary is bringing out a smorgasbord of his favorite local acts. Bob Schneider, Hayes Carll, Shinyribs, Carrie Rodriguez, Nakia and Wood & Wire’s Tony Kamel will perform, with Graham Reynolds leading a house band and “Greater Tuna” star Jaston Williams serving as master of ceremonies. $35-$50. 7 p.m. 2300 Whitis Ave. cactuscafe.org. — P.B.
READ MORE: “Conversations with John Aielli” from the Statesman archives
Wednesday: Larry Monroe Memorial at Guero’s. Sun Radio’s popular weekly “Texas Radio Live” broadcast from the outdoor oak garden at Guero’s got started under the watchful eye of Monroe, who left a long career at KUT and helped Sun Radio become a prime source for Americana music in Central Texas. Since Monroe’s death in 2014, many of the musicians he loved the most have gathered for this annual celebration of his life. This year, that includes Butch Hancock, Sarah Brown, Tex Thomas, Brennen Leigh, Bobby Earl Smith, Gurf Morlix, John Inmon, and Durawa with Chris Alcaraz and Will Knaak. $5 suggested donation. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 1412 S. Congress Ave. gueros.com. — P.B.
Thursday: Hotel Vegas & Volstead 6 Year Anniversary Party. South by what? Start your free music binge early as East Austin’s favorite grimy rock dive reminds us our city churns out some of the most vital underground noise in the world year round. The club celebrates six years of incubating Austin garage sounds with the scene’s first breakout, A Giant Dog. The rowdy rockers, who scored a major label deal with Merge last year, headline a bill that also includes Flesh Lights and Big Bill on the main stage. Meanwhile top DJs King Louie,Orion and Ulovei spin over at Volstead. 5 p.m. 1502 E. Sixth St. texashotelvegas.com — D.S.S.
Butch Hancock returns to the Cactus Cafe on Monday to host his annual Townes Van Zandt birthday tribute, and also plays a memorial for Larry Monroe at Guero’s on Wednesday. Jay Janner/AMERICAN-STATESMAN 2010
ALSO PLAYING
Monday
- Raging Fyah at Flamingo Cantina
- Apostles of Manchaca at One-2-One Bar
- Dale Watson, Peterson Brothers at Continental Club
- Mystery Monday with Christine Albert at El Mercado Backstage
- Sahara Swingtet, Charlie Christians at Sahara Lounge
Tuesday
- Kathy Mattea at One World Theatre
- Senses Fail, Counterparts, Movements at Mohawk outdoor
- Alina Baraz, Iamnobodi at Antone’s (sold out)
- Hayes Carll, David Grissom at Saxon Pub
- James McMurtry, Ephraim Owens Experience at Continental Gallery
- Uncle Lucius, Toni Price at Continental Club
- Moon Hooch at Stubb’s indoor
- Jon Blondell Quintet at Elephant Room
Wednesday
- Brian Jonestown Massacre at Mohawk outdoor
- Connie Jo Kirk & Russell Jackson at Townsend
- Go Fever, Star Parks, Glass Grapes, Willie Chapel, Summer Swells at Hotel Vegas
- Hikes, Honey & Salt, Gold Fronts, Toast Party at Empire
- James McMurtry, Jon Dee Graham, William Harries Graham & the Painted Redstarts at Continental Club
- Wrenfro at One-2-One Bar
- Bonnie Whitmore, Blue Moon Jazz Quartet with Rosie Flores at Continental Gallery
- Walt Wilkins, Bill Kirchen at Saxon Pub
- Jonathan Terrell, Sophia Johnson at White Horse
- Warren Hood at ABGB
- Chris Gage & friends at El Mercado Backstage
Thursday
- Reputations, Mean Jolene at Hotel Vegas
- Menzingers, Rozwell Kid, Jeff Rosenstock at Barracuda
- Dorothy, Georgia Flood at Stubb’s indoor
- Monte Warden & the Dangerous Few at Continental Gallery
- Emily Gimble, Paul Oscher at C-Boy’s
- Two Hoots & a Holler at Highball
- Alvin Crow at Little Longhorn Saloon
- John Inmon, Seela Big Band, Eric Bettencourt at One-2-One Bar
- Erik Hokkanen at Radio Coffee & Beer
