It’s that time of year again where we waste our breath complaining about the slim pickings at Music Midtown, but that hardly seems constructive, right? Besides, any time you have an opportunity to catch Beck perform is time and money well spent, and it isn’t like NOBODY else is playing. There’s Alabama Shakes, Band of Horses, and Chvrches to start, plus some substantial hometown representation from the likes of Big Boi, Raury, and the Coathangers. If you stretch, twist, and pull, you might even be able to find a way to justify the $135 cost of entry.
But if this year’s lineup doesn’t seem worth it, or if you’re the type to avoid huge festival crowds and lines at all costs, fortunately this week offers plenty of other options. You could even conceivably spend the entire week camped out at 529 if you felt so inclined. The East Atlanta club has a stellar run of shows lined up that kicks off tonight with Olympia roots rockers Gun Outfit supported by superb locals Arbor Labor Union and Mutual Jerk. Later in the week you can catch a wide variety of acts, including rapper Dillon, UK post-punk foursome Sauna Youth, and emo enthusiasts Fox Wound celebrating the release of their latest LP.
But if you can only make time for one show this week, you should do everything in your power to catch reclusive Atlanta trio All the Saints unleash their psychedelic stew of hypnotic fuzz, punk, sludge, and noise this Saturday at the Earl. And while you’re at it, make sure to snatch up one of their new limited edition 7-inches, which are sure to disappear quickly.
Check out our full list of recommendations below.
Monday, September 12
Gun Outfit
w/ Arbor Labor Union, Mutual Jerk
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Donations
The Album Leaf
w/ Rituals of Mine
Terminal West
887 West Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Doors at 8 p.m. / Admission $20
Ozomatli
An evening with Ozomatli
City Winery
650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Doors at 6 p.m. / Admission $45
Andrew Bird
w/ Gabriel Kahane
Georgia Theatre
215 N Lumpkin St, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 7 p.m. / Admission $36
Tuesday, September 13
Distal
w/ No Eyes, Charolastra, Taste Tester
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $7
Lord Dying
w/ Undead Viking Mafia, SEVER
Masquerade (Purgatory)
695 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Doors at 7 p.m. / Admission $12
Verge Bliss
w/ Ka, C Rush, Maizy N Gary
Go Bar
195 Prince Ave, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $5
Emily & the Complexes
w/ The Hernies, Hunger Anthem
The World Famous
351 N Hull St, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $5
Wednesday, September 14
Dillon
w/ Moyamoya, WAKE, Cinema Novo
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $7
Madeintyo
w/ Salma Slims, Mynamephin, Noah Wood$
Masquerade (Hell)
695 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Doors at 7 p.m. / Admission $20
Thursday, September 15
Sauna Youth
w/ Death Stuff, DiCaprio, Anticipation
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $7
Pony League
w/ Ham Bagby, Brit La Palm & the Barrel Fever
Smith’s Olde Bar
437 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Doors at 8 p.m. / Admission $8
La Choloteca
w/ Florista Anonima, Satiago Paramo
Star Bar
437 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission is FREE
Daikaiju
w/ Lazer/Wulf, Double Ferrari
Caledonia Lounge
256 W Clayton St, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $8-10
D.R.A.M.
w/ Antwon, Girls in the Yard
40 Watt
285 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 8 p.m. / Admission $3-10
Friday, September 16
Fox Wound (Record Release)
w/ Man Up, Yancey; Sleep Weather
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $1
If These Trees Could Talk
w/ Driftoff, Spotlights
The EARL
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $12
Shampoo
w/ Iji, Delicate, Ginko, more
Drunken Unicorn
736 Ponce De Leon Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Doors at 9 p.m. / Donations
The Pellys
w/ MammaBear, Rad-isauraus Rex, more
Masquerade (Heaven)
695 North Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
Doors at 7 p.m. / Admission $8
Saturday, September 17
All the Saints (Record Release)
w/ The Powder Room, Nag
The EARL
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $10
Chasm
w/ Vincas, Thousandaire
529
529 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $7
Music Midtown
w/ Beck, Band of Horses, Coathangers, more
Piedmont Park
Midtown Atlanta
Doors at noon / Admission $135-1200
Babyfather
w/ Elysia Crampton, Gobby, Coco & Clair Clair
Drunken Unicorn
736 Ponce De Leon Pl NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $15-18
Pseudo Color
w/ Pleasure Plateau, Orchid Mantis
WonderRoot
982 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $5
Southern Surf StompFest!
w/ Daikaiju, Insect Surfers, The Mystery Men?
Little Tree Art Studios
2834 Potter Ave, Avondale Est, GA 30002
Doors at noon / Admission is FREE
Blake Rainey
w/ Gas Hound, Ben Trickey, Jason Waller
Avondale Towne Cinema
106 N Avondale Rd, Avondale Est, GA 30002
Doors at 7 p.m. / Admission $8-10
Heart
w/ Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Cheap Trick
Chastain Park
140 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
Doors at 6:30 p.m. / Admission $35-295
Swamp
w/ Pansy, Superbody, Silvermane
Flicker Theatre & Bar
263 W Washington St, Athens, GA 30601
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $5
Sunday, September 18
Music Midtown
w/ The Killers, Deadmau5, more
Piedmont Park
Midtown Atlanta
Doors at noon / Admission $135-1200
Wolves in the Throne Room
w/ Cloud Rat, Cloak
The EARL
488 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
Doors at 9 p.m. / Admission $15