Wednesday-Thursday: Steve Earle & the Dukes at Continental Club. You want to hear some thoughts about the presidential election? You can bet Earle, long one of the most politically outspoken artists in American music, will have something to say at this two-night stand. The Dukes include former Austin musicians Chris Masterson and Eleanor Whitmore of Americana duo the Mastersons, who also open both nights. James McMurtry plays the middle slot on Wednesday, with Reckless Kelly taking that spot on Thursday. $37.50. 9:30 p.m. 1315 S. Congress Ave. continentalclub.com.
Wednesday-Thursday: Armadillo Christmas Bazaar at Palmer Events Center. The coolest of all Austin holiday music traditions has long outlived its namesake Armadillo World Headquarters origins. Wind your way through dozens of booths packed with gift items to the spacious stage area with both seats and standing (or sometimes dancing) room to hear some of Austin’s top talent. Performances are at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day. Wednesday opens with Charlie Belle in the morning, followed by Clay McClinton in the afternoon and Dale Watson in the evening; Thursday, catch Sarah Pierce early, then Carson McHone before Ray Wylie Hubbard closes things out. Performances continue daily through Dec. 24. Admission each day is $8, good from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. 900 Barton Springs Road. armadillobazaar.com.
Thursday: Invincible Czars and Panoramic Voices “Beat the Rush” holiday show at the Blanton Museum. Known for their inventive recasting of “The Nutcracker,” Austin band Invincible Czars promises “a whole different set of holiday songs” for this collaboration with the Panoramic Voices choir as part of the Blanton’s free third-Thursday programming. 7 p.m. 200 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. blantonmuseum.org.
Los Lonely Boys play Thursday at ACL Live with Bright Light Social Hour. Contributed
ALSO PLAYING
Monday
- Wade Bowen at 3Ten
- Nightmares on Wax, Romare DJ sets at Parish
- Church on Monday at Continental Gallery
- 80H Project, Chris Duarte at One-2-One Bar
- Jai Malano at White Horse
Tuesday
- Jim James, Twin Limb at ACL Live
- Phantogram, Bishop Briggs at Emo’s (sold out)
- Ricky Nelson Remembered at One World Theatre
- Uncle Lucius at Continental Club
- Matt the Electrician, David Grissom at Saxon Pub
- Fingerpistol at Little Longhorn Saloon
- Apostles of Manchaca, Durawa with Chris Duarte at Strange Brew
Wednesday
- Train, Fitz & the Tantrums, Blue October at Cedar Park Center
- Band of Horses, Kurt Vile & the Violators at ACL Live (sold out)
- Nick Waterhouse, Que Pasa at Antone’s
- Sun Radio’s “Texas Radio Live” with Greg Izor & the Box Kickers, Brad Stivers at Guero’s
- Kelley Mickwee at Geraldine’s
- Warren Hood at ABGB
- Walt Wilkins, Van Wilks at Saxon Pub
Thursday
- Los Lonely Boys, Bright Light Social Hour at ACL Live
- Local Natives, Calliope Musicals at Emo’s
- Chris Young, Casey Donahew Band, Cody Bryan Band at Cedar Park Center
- David Ramirez live album recording at Antone’s
- Quiet Company, Jai Malano at 3Ten
- Watters, Elijah Ford & the Bloom at Mohawk indoor
- Latin at Heart at El Mercado Backstage
- Capyac, Magna Carda, Smile at Empire
- Ruby & the Reckless, Mrs. Glass at Driskill Lobby Bar
- Dale Watson at the Highball
- Jaimee Harris, B. Sterling Archer, John Inmon at One-2-One Bar
