I haven't always been a festival person. Managing the stages and sets of so many performances, trying to balance the experience with both previously loved artists and the opportunity to experience something new is fulfilling, but can be overwhelming. One great thing about being the bratty cousin to Austin's big weird fest season is all those bands stop and play one-off shows in our fair city, offering the kind of show experience I actually prefer: one curated bill, one stage, no face scarf necessary.
Austin's Fun Fun Fun Fest takes off this weekend, and has been the consistent exception to my rule. It's manageable in size, quirky in nature and its promise of fun is actually not overstated. Its early November timing provides the perfect excuse to make a quick getaway before the holiday season takes hold of your whole life.
But if staying in Dallas is more your speed, here is a little help building your own fest, all while staying in the loop.
Scoremore brings A$AP Rocky in for a long-awaited Dallas pit stop with support from Danny Brown and Schoolboy Q Friday at House of Blues. Parade of Flesh is bringing a truckload of fun from every FFF stage. Curious about Internet darling Kreayshawn? Friday is your chance to see it all go down at the Palladium Ballroom. Additionally, Dallas folks get a support set from Rye Rye, who is not performing in Austin. Saturday, catch Titus Andronicus and Ceremony performing at a new venue, Tapatio Studios. The weekend also brings sets from Class Actress and Ssion (Saturday, Dada), Earth (Saturday, Bryan Street Tavern), Why? (Friday, Sons of Hermann Hall) and King Tuff (Sunday, Dada).
You must include Sharon Van Etten on Saturday, when Tactics Productions and KXT bring her to Trees. Other notable shows for your consideration include Deerhoof (Saturday, the Prophet Bar), STRFKR (Friday, Trees), The Front Bottoms (Thursday, the Prophet Bar) and Cadence Weapon (Friday, the Prophet Bar), all playing in the 214.
Another must-see will be Japandroids' set at Trees on Monday, brought to you care of Spune, with openers Bleached. Black Moth Super Rainbow hit the Loft on Tuesday, and David Liebe Hart of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! will do something weird on Monday at Dan's Silverleaf.
The Granada Theater steps in to provide the legends portion of your bill, with Public Image Ltd on Thursday and X on Saturday.
And don't say we never did anything for you! Lucero make their way back to Dallas on November 13 to play the Dallas Observer Music Awards ceremony. Make a cup of coffee, you have some work to do.
