Dallas, if you want to ring in 2014 with some good live music, look no further. We have compiled comprehensive guides to all of the city's best New Year's Eve shows, for every different kind of music fan's budget. Today, we bring you the best offerings with cover charges up to or under $20. Who says you have to spend a ton to have a little fun on the biggest nightlife occasion of the year?
Starparty, Lil Slim and The Gemstones Haileys, $5 Are you going to be in Denton? Do you want to be slightly tripped out while enjoying a nice Flaming Lips or Daft Punk cover? Look no further, Hailey's is where you want to be this New Years Eve. Electro-pop outfit STARPARTY puts on an engaging live show including masquerading band members, violin solos, and psychedelic visual projections. It's safe to assume they've got something theatrical planned for the occasion.
AV The Great, Fab Deuce, Killa MC Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios, Free Chris "AV The Great" Cole is quite the renaissance man. Aside from his work as an on-air personality at K104.5FM, he is easily the most celebrated rapper in Denton. While the North Texas college town has always had a thriving music scene, it's hip hop crowd has been fledgling (at best) in recent years. With much credit to Cole's advocacy, it's grown exponentially in the last year. Along with Fab Deuce Crew and Killa MC, this free show will have bottle service available, as well as a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
Big D NYE Victory Park, Free Dallas' official city-wide New Years Eve celebration hits Victory Park for the seventh year running. Serving in both quality and quantity, the Central Time Zone's largest NYE party brings a diverse and entertaining lineup to the table. Performers include San Antonio's Fifty Dollar Dynasty, Houston's The Tontons, Fort Worth's Green River Ordinance, North Carolina's Delta Rae, and our very own DJ Ro Parrish.
New Years Eve Mardi Gras Blowout Twilite Lounge, Free For this little shindig at Deep Ellum's very own slice of NOLA, guests are encouraged to dress in Mardi Gras attire. Why wait until Spring? Live jazz will be provided by The David Washburn Sextet. A well curated selection of signature cocktails and craft draft beers will keep the party going until the complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The intimate back patio will make for a romantic midnight kiss under the stars.
Eternal Eden NYE Snow Storm Eternal Afterhours, $10 -$20 https://www.facebook.com/events/605510859515762/?ref=br_rs If you're one of those people who just doesn't know when to quit, you're probably already familiar with Eternal Afterhours. This post-countdown party runs from 3am-8am, and features a mostly EDM and trance heavy format. Resident DJs Pierre and Pass The 40 will be joined by Avi, Atg, and special guest WIED. Better get your stamina up, because this party is going to be no joke.
Black Dotz, Street Arabs, Drug Animal, Fogg
The Crown & Harp, $5-$10
Though it sometimes feels like like local musician Wanz Dover has a different side project for each day of the week, we're certainly not complaining any. Dover's post-punk leaning outfit, The Black Dotz, will headline the downstairs stage at Crown & Harp. If taking in some of the city's most intriguing experimental rock and roll acts sounds like your idea of a good time, this is where you're going to want to be.
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Trillwave and Battletech
The Crown & Harp, $5-$10
Upstairs at The Crown and Harp will be a very different scene. Two of Dallas' most entertaining dance music collectives will come together for a nonstop night of futuristic trap beats, bringing in 2014 with a deep 808 drop and some wobbly synths. Dubble A, Phooka, System, DJ Titan, Trailer Swift, and Yunglist will all take turns on the decks throughout the course of the night.
NYE 2014: The Year of the Woman Texas Theatre, $15-$20 In the heart of north Oak Cliff, the historic Texas Theatre will ring in the new year by showcasing some of strongest female voices in the Dallas music scene. A stacked lineup including ZHORA, BOAN, and Jenny Robinson will be supported by dj sets from Wild In The Streets, Ruth Ellen Smith of Blackstone Rangers, and a secret guest. The cover price is set at $15 and includes a free champagne toast at midnight. For an extra five dollars, you can upgrade to VIP for private lounge access with snacks. This one almost looks too good to pass up.
NYE Masquerade Beauty Bar, Free If you're a regular at any of the various bars and dance halls of Dallas' Knox-Henderson neighborhood, you'll be happy to know that three of your favorite DJs are coming together under one roof. Join RedEye, Blake Ward, and Colly T for a multi-format dance party that'll have you shaking that thing until it's 2014. Guests are encouraged to dress up and don their best masquerade masks.
NYE Dead Celebrity Ball Prophet Bar, $12-$14 Fans of Dallas' folk and blues leaning rock and roll crowd are in for quite a treat this New Year's Eve. Not only will they get the chance to see Oil Boom, Birds of Night, Loyal Sally, and Uneasy Pilgrim all on the same bill- but they get to do it dressed as their favorite dead celebrity, adding a little tounge-in-cheek kitsch to the holiday. Keep it tasteful, people- this costume theme carries a fine line between too fun and too soon.
Somebody's Darling, Whiskey Folk Ramblers, Goodnight Ned, Bad Mountain Club Dada, $7.50-$20 Looking for a New Year's show with a higher level of badassery? Howling, bluesy, rock and roll good times are to be had at Club Dada. What better way to ring in the new year than by jamming to Amber Farris' growl and roar over Somebody's Darling's shredding guitar riffs? The Elm Street strip is sure to be teeming with NYE cheer that night.
Jackson Eli & The Blondelles Stampede 66, Free If you're a little bit country, you are in for a hell of a night at Stephen Pyles' critically-acclaimed and foodie-approved Stampede 66 restaurant. Jackson Eli & The Blondelles will kick off an open dance floor at 10pm, keeping the energy level high with a night of rockabilly, swing, and country tunes. If you really want to make a night out of it, make a reservation for one of two dinner seatings earlier in the evening (6pm, 8pm)- your three course meal will only run you $60.
The Gorehounds, Party Static, Booty Stew, DJ Gabe & Tiger Bee Double-wide, $10 Like most young, hip, and dive-bar loving Dallasites- you probably end up at Double-wide on every holiday anyway. Why mess with tradition? This year, you've got some of the city's most fun and engaging live acts to look forward too. Besides, nothing will be better at dampening that hangover the next day than a stop at the Easy Slider truck before you sleep it off.
See also: -The Top Ten All Time Best Replacement Lead Singers in Rock and Roll -Songs That Have Hidden Messages When Played in Reverse -The Ten Best Music Videos Banned by MTV
