There’s no one big blowout concert in thanks to the migratory flight pattern to and from SXSW this week. The payoff is in the form of some little nuggets of awesome — rising artists instead of established ones — which is what that week of madness down in Austin was designed for in the first place. This week’s highlights include Mitski at Opolis, Pile at Dope Chapel and The Stargazer Lilies at Capitol Bicycle Company:
Joey Molinaro with sun riah, KUU, Growwing Pains and Sierra Brown
Wednesday, March 18
Bad Granny’s Bazaar | Oklahoma City
It takes a talented man to make hardcore music with a fiddle. Probably the world’s only black metal violinist, Joey Molinaro (this is at least a very rare breed, we expect), is joined by fellow weirdos from both Oklahoma and elsewhere, highlighted by one of our favorites, sun riah.
Shishio with Happy Birthdayy and Plain Speak
Wednesday, March 18
Opolis | Norman
Just days removed from releasing their new experimental-rock record Katzenmaske, Norman art-rockers Shishio are about to head down to Texas to play everywhere but SXSW, and lo-fi Oklahoma punks Happy Birthdayy and emo-rockers Plain Speak will help send them off the right way. Your ears will be ringing until they get back, we bet.
LoneMoon with PVLMS, Airglow and simstim
Friday, March 20
Dope Chapel | Norman
Oklahoma City electronic musician LoneMoon put out a beautiful little record last month recalling everyone from Passion Pit to Skrillex to Porter Robinson, and he’s just getting around to celebrating it with Friday’s show at Dope Chapel. As club-friendly as many of his tracks are, we expect it to be a hell of a party, too.
Helen Kelter Skelter and Spaceface
Sunday, March 22
Opolis | Norman
Norman’s finest purveyors of psychedelia, Helen Kelter Skelter, are on the verge of putting out their proper debut LP, and this show should be doubly trippy with the addition of Memphis’ Spaceface. Fun fact: Spaceface’s Jake Ingalls is also a touring member of The Flaming Lips.
Ukiah Drag with Power Pyramid and Sex Snobs
Monday, March 23
Guildhaul | Oklahoma City
It’s a wonderful night of demented pop with off-kilter Providence outfit Ukiah Drag pairing up with Oklahoma’s noisiest (and unexpectedly hook-happy) outfits Power Pyramid and Sex Snobs. It’s hard to pass up any show that both of the latter are a part of.
The Stargazer Lilies with Night School and Dott
Monday, March 23
Capitol Bicycle Company | Oklahoma City
Straight out of the Slowdive mold, The Stargazer Lilies make some of the most devastatingly beautiful/haunting shoegaze music you’ll ever hear. Graveface Records signees Night School and Dott are just as exciting and round out this powerhouse bill. This has all the makings of an “I can’t believe I was there”-type show.
Pile with IndianGiver, SonicViolence and Tonne
Tuesday, March 24
Dope Chapel | Norman
Along with fellow Boston products Speedy Ortiz, Pile is steadfast in its mission to keep the college radio-rock/punk of the early ’90s alive and snarling, doing the Lord’s work with their fantastic new album You’re Better Than This. SonicViolence is playing what might well be their final show; IndianGiver never disappoints; and talented newcomers Tonne is primed for a coming out party.
Mitski with Sarah Reid
Tuesday, March 24
Opolis | Norman
She named her latest album Bury Me at Makeout Creek in reference to a Milhouse quote on The Simpsons, which should be convincing enough on its own. Her alt-rock songwriting chops are just the icing on the cake.
