Happy birthday, America! In celebration, let’s all go to a ton of local shows this month. Deal? For more Independence Day ideas, check out next week’s Night & Day. As for live music, buckle up.
Fourth of July
A great place to start will be the Fourth of July Kickoff Festival featuring Keegan McInroe with Aden Bubeck, Gary Grammer, James Hinkle, Morris Holdahl, Clint Kirby, Katie Robertson, Dirt Stinnett, and Chris Watson at Birdie’s Social Club (2736 W 6th St, Fort Worth, 817-888-8914) 6pm-10pm. Other special guests include Sean Russell, Henry the Archer, J/O/E, Jessi England, Tommy Luke, Jana Renée, and more. This event is dog-friendly (on leashes, please), all-ages, and free. RSVP on Prekindle.com.
If the road is calling you this holiday weekend, Tejas Brothers vocalist/accordionist Dave Perez will perform as a special guest in Larry Joe Taylor’s band at the Fourth of July Concert in the Park at Birdsong Amphitheater (644 S Graham St, Stephenville, 254-918-1295) also with Presley Haile, Nick Brumley, Race Ricketts, and Shawn Camp. There is no cost to attend, and it’s BYOB, plus you are welcome to bring blankets, lawnchairs, and snacks. The music starts at 7pm with fireworks once it gets dark.
Does going to Dallas for a show count as a staycation or vacation adventure? Either way, add the Royal Sons’ Fifth of July show to your holiday itinerary. Our hometown boys are playing with The Doors Hotel (tribute) at Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-824-9933) 7pm that Fri. Tickets start at $16 on Prekindle.com.
While you’re in Big D, stay awhile. Spend the night. See the sights. Drive the JFK route. Then, on Saturday night, Jul 6, take in the first North Texas show of reunited local thrashers Power Trip, who have been on hiatus since the death of vocalist Riley Gale in 2020 (R.I.P.). In December, the surviving members played a surprise set in Austin with Seth Gilmore of Fugitive on vocals. In February, Power Trip announced they would be playing several more shows in 2024 with him again. This is that.
Courtesy High Tech 5.0
Second Weekend
Fort Worth phenom Jack Barksdale will open for rootsy singer-songwriter Max Stalling at Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798) 7pm Fri, Jul 12. Tickets start at $38 at SeeTickets.us. Same night, you can also check out the Silverados, formerly Mike & The Moon Pies, at Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plz, Fort Worth, 817-624-7117). Tickets start at $18 on AXS.com. And since the Weekly’s brand ambassador Clintastic is a big MJ fan, I think I know where he will be going this Jul 12. At 7:30pm, Arlington Music Hall (224 N Center St, Arlington, 817-226-4400) hosts MJ LIVE: Michael Jackson Tribute. This promises to be a night filled with iconic hits and some sweee!-heeet! dance moves. Tickets start at $19 on Eventbrite.com.
Local thrash/hardcore outfit Toxic Madness’ last local show before embarking on a tour is 7pm Sat, Jul 13, with Anak, Boof, and The Scandals at Three Links (2704 Elm St, Deep Ellum, 214-484-6011). For ticket info, visit ToxicMadness138.com.
And Fort Worth rapper 88 Killa will be a featured artist at the Dallas Entertainment Summer Showcase at Trees (2709 Elm St, 214-741-1122, Deep Ellum) 6pm Fri, Jul 12. Baba Kuboye, Blaque Dynamite, King Clam, Kwinton Gray, Lighthouse, Loners Club, Alex O’Aiza, and a few others are also on the bill. Admission is $20 in advance at TreesDallas.com or $30 at the door.
Third Weekend
Straight from Mineral Wells, Southern-rock trio Blackhorse formed in the early 1970s and without a record deal self-produced a self-titled album in 1979 and promptly went on tour, sharing the stage with the likes of ZZ Top and others but never quite catching fire. After a brief name change followed by a long break, they decided to start gigging again, inspired by the reception to the 2008 reissue of their debut LP. Along with Iron Mang, Pulse, and Zativah Kid as part of Night 1 of the annual Vulgarfest, Blackhorse will take the stage at Haltom Theater (5601 Belknap St, Haltom City, 682-250-5678) 7pm Fri, Jul 19. Admission s $20 at the door.
Normally, I think folks should not Dallas our Fort Worth, but I will make an exception for the Polyphonic Spree with Jumprope at Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798) 7pm Sat, Jul 20. Tickets to bask in the sparkling melodies and peaceful vibes of frontman Tim DeLaughter and his band of singing, choir robe-wearing hippies are $30 on SeeTickets.us.
Before you get your Spree on, there’s the Local Music Showcase & Vintage Flea Market at Doc’s Records & Vintage (2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-732-5455) noon-6pm that Saturday. One-Eyed Monster with Same Brain and Sisso kick things off at 2pm. The low, low price of free will also include a complimentary beer for those of legal drinking age. (Vintage-wise, Doc’s is the permanent home of Honey Suckle Rose, so stopping by this event is a win-win-win.)
The next night at Tulips FTW (Sun, Jul 21), major-label Fort Worth dudes the Unlikely Candidates will play with Nolo. Those tickets are also $30 on SeeTickets.us.
Earlier that Sunday, Suzy & Woodrow of Suzy & The Sissies will perform as an acoustic duo for free in the Stockyards at Second Rodeo (122 E Exchange Av, Ste 340, Fort Worth, 877-517-7548) noon-3pm.
Fourth Weekend
When the Foo Fighters first announced this year’s North American tour, it did not include a North Texas date. So, I bought tickets to the Thu, Jul 25, show in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before and after, I will be visiting with Fiona the Hippo at the Cincinnati Zoo and exploring Mammoth Cave. Y’all have fun at these shows while I’m gone!
Somehow, I’ve never been to a James McMurtry show, which is sad because I’m a big fan. If you get to see him with special guest BettySoo at Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-824-9933) 7pm Fri, Jul 16, be sure and block everyone’s view with your tablet as you record the show for me. Thanks! Tickets start at $22 on Prekindle.com.
The farewell tour of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is making a stop in our town this weekend. The three-time Grammy-winning group that formed in Long Beach in 1966 have been road dogs ever since. That’s a long musical journey! They also released a new record. Dirt Does Dylan came out in 2022. So, get Gritty at Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, Fort Worth, 817-212-4280) 7:30pm Sat, Jul 27. Tickets start at $44 at BassHall.com/NittyGritty.
Fresh off an arena tour with divorce-pop legends REO Speedwagon and rockin’ Rick Springfield, Los Angeles Americana duo Dauzat St. Marie will be at The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW) 8:30pm Sun, Jul 28, with openers Ryker Hall and Kyle Bradley. For updates on tickets, go to DSM.live once this show date is closer or keep an eye on the venue’s socials.
Courtesy Highly Decent Photography
The Local List
One killer show is Sat, Jul 27, at the Chat Room Pub (1263 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, @TheChatRoomPub) on the Near Southside. That’s where F-Dub indie-rockers Hotel Satellite will celebrate the release of their new single “Nothing Much Happens (World’s Greatest Mess).” Kevin Aldridge and the homies will play early and be followed by Cut Throat Finches, the big Fort Worth pop rockers who’ll shut it down. No word on cover yet.
At 7pm on Mon, Jul 15, smart-country bros Grady Spencer and Brandon Birdwell will play Magnolia Motor Lounge (3803 Southwest Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-3344). Tickets are $10-20.
Darstar has two cool gigs this month. First, the mod-rockers play Double Wide (3510 Commerce St, Dallas, 469-872-0191) 7:30pm Fri, Jul 19, with Anti Rad, The Infamists, King Healer, and Muenster. “This is a ‘blend’ show with a little bit of many genres,” says vocalist Lisa Hardaway. “Think: Judgment Night soundtrack.” Tickets are $10 in advance on Prekindle.com or $15 at the door. Darstar will also perform with Assisted Living, Dome Dwellers, and Flesh Narc at Green Lounge (1807 N Elm St, Denton, @GreenLoungeDenton) 8pm Sat, Jul 27. “The cover is $5, like it’s 2005 again.”
Speaking of The Infamists, they have two other gigs in late July. In addition to the Double Wide show, they’re playing with Lotus Lords and Stone Machine Electric at Andy’s Bar (122 N Locust St, Denton, 940-301-3535, $10) 8pm Fri, Jul 26, and at a free show at the Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616) 8pm Wed, Jul 31.
Matthew of The Mathew Show has two solo gigs this month at Fort Brewery & Pizza (2737 Tillar St, Fort Worth, 817-923-8000): Sat, Jul 6, and Sat, Jul 27. Both shows start at noon and are free, which leaves you plenty of time and beer money.
Before and after a jaunt to Illinois, blues band/SRV tribute act Texas Flood has a few dates around the #LoneStarState: at the Guitar Sanctuary (6633 Virginia Pkwy, McKinney, 972-540-6420) 8pm Sat, Jul 6; at Main Street Crossing (111 W Main St, Tomball, 281-290-0431) 7pm Thu, Jul 18; and at Cedar Hollow Winery & Vineyard (540 Co Rd 698, Farmersville, 214-298-7874) 6pm Sat, Jul 27. For ticket info, visit TexasFlood.net.
The last time I wrote about the Dick Beldings, I used a very old picture. From 1902, I think. They’ve since done a few more photo shoots but haven’t aged one bit. Just look at these handsome fellas now! This month, they have two free shows. They’re playing O’Shea’s (310 Grapevine Hwy, Hurst, 817-577-4006) 9:30pm Sat, Jul 13, and then on the outside stage at Texas Live! (1650 E Randol Mill Rd, Arlington, 817-852-6688) on Tue, Jul 16, after the MLB All-Star Game at Globe Life Field (734 Stadium Dr, Arlington, 817-533-1972).
Some of this list comes from nice local musicians who care to submit their upcoming gig info to me via Jennifer@FWWeekly.com every month. You should do the same (hint, hint). Send me an intro email, and I’ll put you on my #PaperRoute.
