Central Track Staff
Buy Some New Records, Join Brandi Carlile’s Party of One, Fest it Up at Homegrown, Boil a Mudbug, Hit Up Two Film Festivals, Re-Open RGRS and More.
There’s too much going on this weekend to mess around with our usual silly intros. From multiple film and music fests, to a film and music fest, to crawfish boils, Record Store Day parties, movie screenings, huge concerts and outdoor fun.
About the only thing we can think of that’d be a reasonable excuse for not getting out and catching at least one of the numerous activites would be if, like, four bees were living inside your eye and sustaining themselves off of your tears. — Cory Graves
Friday
Brandi Carlile at The Bomb Factory (Sold Out)
Earlier this year, Carlile won three of the six Grammy Awards she was up for, including the one for Americana Album. Two months after her big wins, she’s back in Dallas to finally starting to get the due she’s been long owed. — CG
Quinn XCII at South Side Ballroom
Detroit-based hip-hop artist Quinn XCII (pronounced “Quinn 92”) cut his teeth as a student at Michigan State University. Thanks to the magic of Spotify, he garnered hype that translated to exponential success in his career, and the results are self-evident from his touring history in our neck of the woods alone – in November 2016, he made his Dallas debut at Three Links, then in the coming months, played sold-out shows at The Cambridge Room and Trees. He returns to the 3,500-cap South Side Ballroom this weekend, not even three years after playing his first DFW show. — Garrett Gravley
Indigo Girls at House of Blues
The famed folk rock duo and political activists have won one Grammy and have been nominated for six in their illustrious career. They have also collaborated with artists such as P!nk, Joan Baez and Anne Murray. Suffice to say, they’re pretty accomplished, but we already knew that. — GG
Lorna Shore, Enterprise Earth at 2513 Deep Ellum
New Jersey deathcore outfit Lorna Shore hits Dallas for the first time without guitarist Connor Deffle, who amicably parted ways with the band earlier this year. Bodysnatcher and Within Destruction open. — CG
The Adolescents at Three Links
Another comeback tour with a legendary punk band whose current lineup consists of just one original member. Hey, it’s working out swimmingly for Gang of Four and Black Flag. — GG
Jordan Peele’s Get Out at Inwood Theatre
No that Peele’s Us has proven himself a bonafide horror savant, it’s time to go back and watch how a young man gets conned by his girlfriend and her whole family in his surprise debut. After his girlfriend’s family chooses to be extra accommodating towards their interracial relationship, he suddenly, in the middle of the night, gets sideswiped by a secret he could have never imagined to be true. — Mira Scott
Thin Line Fest in Denton
Day three of the documentary film and music fest includes screenings of Dons of Disco, Fading Portraits, Float, Instant Dreams and sets from Whores, Pearl Earl, Harry Zimm, Mountain of Smoke and several others, spread across various venues. — CG
Nite, Felt & Fur, Technicolor Hearts at Rubber Gloves (Free)
This local bill is, technically, part of the Thin Line event list just above it. But, as this is the first time for people to check out the newly renovated venue, as it hosts its first show in three years, well, I figured that warranted an additional callout. — CG
Dallas International Film Festival
Among Friday’s list of programming includes the doc on Bob Dobbs and his Dallas-based parody religion, the Church of the SubGenius. The full schedule of screenings can be found at the link above. — CG
Gucci Mane at Gas Monkey Live
America’s very own modern pioneer. Gucci Mane helped pave the way for the ever-present trap subgenre to become mass commercialized. Well, Gucci is still in his prime, on top and dropping bangers. — MS
Goldroom at It’ll Do Club
A member of synth-pop trio, NightWaves, went and did some solo-dolo ventures. Josh Legg, also known as Goldroom incorporates lush, dreamy synths and electronic ornaments to help create the perfect summertime disco jams. He began self-releasing his music in 2011, and as soon as he released the single “Fifteen,” his solo career took off. — MS
Lone Bellow at Kessler Thetater
While New York-made salsa might not fly here in the south — New York City!? — Brooklyn folk-pop outfit The Lone Bellow craft the kind of rich tunes even the most wary southern would find hard to deny. Further endearing itself to this part of the world, the band’s sophomore LP, produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, finds the band heavily incorporating gospel elements into its sound, albeit in a big, string-filled, late period Elvis kind of way. — CG
Eric Church at American Airlines Center
Remember that time the weed-loving, bro country party boy played the Cowboys/Redskins halftime on Thanksgiving and we all gave him hell for it online? Welp, now he’s back, though he’s at the basketball arena this time. — CG
The Midnight at Trees
Heads up, synthwave heads: You’re gonna wanna be in the house for this show, headlined by the international collaborative duo The Midnight, who are among the torchbearers of this heavily ’80s-indebted, Bandcamp-beloved sound. — Pete Freedman
What So Not at Lizard Lounge
The Australian producer has previously plied his craft to the throngs of drugged out rich kids at Coachella. No he’ll do something similar, but probably much later in the evening. — CG
Nervous Curtains, All Clean, Whep at Lola’s
All three corners of the Golden Triangle will be represented on this all-local triple bill, including gloriously flippant Denton punks Whep, which make for a good reason to get there before doors. — CG
Kiki Maroon’s Burly Q Lounge at Cambridge Room
The scantily clad variety show features performances from Frankie Fictitious, Iris Le’Mour, Lisa Ortiz, Arty Dodger, Honey Moonpie and host KiKi Maroon – plus The Burly Qutie Showgirls. — CG
SOLUNA: 1812 Overture at Meyerson Symphony Center
The DSO will be joined by the Dallas Symphony Chorus for Rachmaninoff’s The Bells, and by world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman for Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The big spectacle concludes with Tchaikovsky’s explosive 1812 Overture, which in its purist form, calls for live cannon fire. — CG
Dallas Arts District’s Changing Perspectives Block Party
Anchored by the giant public installation of light-up see-saws known as Impulse, this Arts District blowout features all kinds of free dance, theater and art programming. — CG
Saturday
Homegrown Fest at Main St Garden Park Update: This event has been moved to Sunday because of concerns about the weather. — GG
The Festival’s 10-year victory lap includes headliners Tripping Daisy, Toadies and a reunited Seryn, among other greatest hits from the course of the festival’s decade-long history.
Texas Trot Fun Run at Lone Star Park
The thing that makes this run so quote-unquote fun is that it takes place actually on the horse track. Earn your oats with a jog to the rockin’ after-party. — CG
A Party of Ice and Fire at Canton Hall
On the eve of Thrones’ big return, this Deep Ellum music venue hosts a themed costume party with dancing, drink specials and photo ops. — CG
Atlantis Aquarius (Album Release) at Three Links
AA is probably the most vocally talented live outfit in town, as evidenced by the fact that both of its dual vocalists were up for CT Music Honors this year on the strength of their singing abilities. This show also doubles as the release party for their new album. Bryce Bangs opens, as do synth-pop duo Prizm, making their live debut. — CG
Record Store Day at Top Ten Records
This RSD party boasts live DJs, sets from Strays and Estacado and free beer from Independent Brewing Company. Then, at 8:30, the party moves down the street for a screening of Wayne’s World at the Texas Theatre. — CG
Record Store Day at Josey Records and Music
This RSD party boasts live music, DJs and refreshments all day. And, of course, copies of all the limited edition RSD exclusives. — CG
Record Store Day at Spinster Records
Starting at 8 a.m., this RSD bash boasts coffee and donuts, DJ sets by staff and local celebs, free “drinks,” RSD exclusives and free tote bags with a $100 purchase. — CG
Record Store Day at Doc’s Records and Vintage
Your biggest and best source for free live music this RSD will be in the Fort, where Son of Stan, Felt & Fur, Three Rose Charm, Adam & the Figurines, Cosmic Creeps and Ashes all perform. Free food and booze and access to RSD exclusives are the icing on the cake. — CG
Dreamy Life Record Store Day Party at Main At South Side
With its location, tucked in the back of a music venue, Dreamy Life’s RSD party boasts the biggest and best-sounding stage. On it, Sub-Sahara, The Deluxe, Siberian Traps, The Fibs, Manana Cowboy, Sur Duda and Thyroids will all perform free sets. Free food and coffee and discounted booze will also be up for grabs. — CG
Record Store Day at Good Records
Lest you thought its recent move would put a damper on its annual RSD/anniversary party, the long-reigning leader in the clubhouse for biggest yearly RSD blowouts is still partying this year. OK, the move might have tamped down the celebrations some, but you can bet they’ll pull a few tricks out of their magical mystery hats. — CG
Thin Line Fest in Denton
Saturday’s schedule includes screenings of Jawline, Satan and Adam, Crossroads, Midnight Traveler and loads of others, on top of sets from Pinkish Black, Royal Sons, Erika Wennerstrom, Cure For Paranoia and so many others, spread all over town. — CG
Upsetting, The Bralettes, Go Fever, Westway at Rubber Gloves (Free)
Also included as part of the free Thin Line festivities is this, your second chance to check out the new-look RGRS as part of its soft opening roll-out. — CG
Dallas International Film Festival
Among Saturday’s screenings is the long, long-awaited premiere of This World Won’t Break, a film important to the NTX music scene for reasons too numerous to get into in this space — and that’s beyond all the local musicians and Dallas celebs that make cameos in it. The full schedule of screenings can be found at the link above. — CG
Double Dare Live at The Theatre at Grand Prairie
Marc Sunmers is back, daring you to answer the question or take the physical challenge. — CG
Pins & Needles Showcase at Reno’s Chop Shop
Acts prepared to blow your wigs off with their metal assault include VeiN, Saints Can Lie, Orenda, The Eueka Effect and Stone Wolf. — CG
Mark Knight at Stereo Live
The house music heavyweight brings the party to our side of the pond this weekend. — CG
Combichrist at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill
The Atlanta aggrotech outfit hits town for the first time with its new rhythm section, as bassist Brent Ashley quit last year to work on a dairy farm, and drummer Joe Letz ended his 13-year-run as his “road to recovery [has taken him] to a new place in life.” Silver Snakes and The Razorblade Dolls open. — CG
Miguel Migs at It’ll Do Club
Chill out with the San Francisco-based deep house DJ. — Zoe Mattioli
Brett Eldredge at The Bomb Factory
Three years ago, Eldredge and Marren Morris opened Keith Urban’s arena tour, which saw them hit the AAC. The move paid off for both openers, who each perform at this venue as headliners. No small feat! — CG
Green Velvet at Lizard Lounge
Green Velvet has been around for a while, first getting public praise in the early ’90s for his club hits. That’s probably why the dance floor will be packed Saturday, because after a long streak of techno and house hits, Green Velvet really knows how to get people to move. — Jeremy Hughes
KRNB Presents: Smooth Spring Groove w/ Tamar Braxton at Toyota Music Factory
Aside from the second-most-famous Braxton sister, other performers on this little fest include Dru Hill, Jagged Edge and Stokley. — CG
Vanilla Ice at Billy Bob’s
Either the lying former rapper and metal singer is now trying his hand at country, or the popularity of “Old Town Road” has really blurred the lines between hip-hop and country. — CG
Eric Church at American Airlines Center
The pot-loving bro country auteur doubles down for a second straight night at the arena. — CG
Sunday
Homegrown Fest at Main St Garden Park
Originally slated for Saturday but moved to Sunday because of concerns about rain, the Festival’s 10-year victory lap includes headliners Tripping Daisy, Toadies and a reunited Seryn, among other greatest hits from the course of the festival’s decade-long history. — CG
Laugh Your MASS Off: Altercation Punk Comedy Tour at Main At South Side
Comedian JT Habersaat bucks tradition, taking his shows on the road, where his tours get arranged to look more like a band’s touring schedule than a comic’s, preferring one-night performances at rock clubs and other venues to extended weekend shows at comedy clubs. This time through, he’s even bringing some touring rock musicians with him to tell jokes of their own. — Alex Gaskin
Crawfish Boil at BrainDead Brewing
At the first of this year’s BrainDead crawdaddy feasts, they’ll be boiling up 500 pounds of bugs. It’s $25 for as many of them as you can eat. #suckthehead — CG
War and Peace: Seven-Hour Epic Restoration at Texas Theatre
If the greatest romance ever lived isn’t also the greatest motion picture ever made, it’s at least certainly one of the longest. This 4K restoration of the 1966 Bondarchuk classic clocks in over seven hours, presented in four parts with three intermissions. — CG
Bugs & Brews Crawfish Boil & Music Fest at Sundown
The Granada’s fourth annual crawfish boil returns this weekend, with sets from Children of Indigo, Ottoman Turks, Club Wood and Ryan Berg & the Velvet Ears, not to mention all the vendors and, of course, the real star of the show — the dang grub. — CG
Thin Line Fest in Denton
Thin Line’s closing day goes strong with screenings of Fading Portraits, Always in Season, This Mountain Life and others, plus sets from Fat Tony, Kwinton Gray Project, Bastards of Soul and Honin at Harvest House. — CG
Dallas International Film Festival
A Beto campaign doc is among the Sunday highlights of the fest. The full list of screenings can be found at the link above. — CG
Dallas Pizza Fest at Deep Ellum Art Co.
Pizza trucks, pizza parlors, celebrity pizza chefs, pizza eating contests and basically all the pizza you can eat. There doesn’t have to be a reason. Pizza is just yum. — CG
Fortress Festival Pre-Party at Deep Ellum Brewing Co.
Before the party – which once again takes place in Fort Worth’s Will Rogers Memorial Center on April 27-28 – there’s the pre-party. This one, in particular, includes an opportunity to win tickets to the party. After the party, of course, is the after-party, but that post is for another day. — CG
SOLUNA: Mariachi and Mayan Night at Moody Performance Hall
Live mariachi music and ballet folklorico dancers will tackle the music from the film The Night of the Mayas. — CG
The Spring Dog Tag Social at Lizard Lounge
The first 200 paid guests get free dog tags and will be able to sip on $3 wells and domestic bottled beers bottled until 11 p.m. — Juan Bettancourt
Homegrown cover photo by Karlo X. Ramos.