critics’ picks

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Wednesday, May 17

Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, Thundercat

A trio of musical heavyweights will have the Alamodome rocking. Although the headlining Red Hot Chili Peppers have increasingly added radio-friendly pop to their bag of tricks, their funk-tinged rock remains a showcase for the genius of guitarist John Frusciante, who’s often overshadowed by famous bandmates Anthony Kiedis and Flea. Alt-rockers The Strokes are another act whose tight musicality can sometimes be eclipsed by a high-profile frontman — in this case, Julian Casablancas. Opener Thundercat transitioned from a one-time Suicidal Tendencies bassist to an R&B luminary who’s collaborated with Kendrick Lamar and Gorillaz. $29.50 and up*, 6:30 p.m., Alamodome, 100 Montana St., (210) 207-3663, alamodome.com. — Danny Cervantes

Bright Eyes, Good Looks

The bittersweet Americana stylings of Conor Oberst and Bright Eyes continue to deliver silver linings amidst the melancholy. In 2020 the group recorded its first album after a nine-year hiatus with new label Dead Oceans. Over the years, Oberst has collaborated with a cavalcade of artists including Phoebe Bridgers and Spoon’s Britt Daniel. All the while, his music is anchored to the Midwest sensibilities of his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. $25-$95.50, 7:30 p.m., Aztec Theatre, 104 N. St. Mary’s St., (210) 812-4355, theaztectheatre.com. — DC

Saturday, May 20

Rodrigo y Gabriela

Successful and long-running Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela is making its return with a visit to new venue The Espee. The pair’s core sound is flamenco guitar, but the members cite metal acts such as Testament as a prime influence. To wit, they burst onto the radar some two decades ago with a cover of Metallica’s epic instrumental “Orion.” Since then, Rodrigo y Gabriela have released numerous albums alongside appearances on TV and soundtracks. Their most recent LP, In Between Thoughts… A New World, dropped in late April. $39.50-$600, 8 p.m., The Espee, 1174 E. Commerce St., (210) 226-5700, majesticempire. com — Mike McMahan

White Dog, Smokey Mirror, Rover, Mystere

Here’s a bill that leans on bonafide rock ’n’ roll while integrating elements of psychedelia, Americana and blues. Austin-based White Dog combines classic rock with folk vocals and storytelling and even manages to sprinkle in a little funk. Smokey Mirror, from Dallas, is harder, speedier, psych-blues with gritty vocals. Meanwhile San Antonio’s Rover and Mystere deal in heavy rock and grungy blues, respectively. $10, 8 p.m., 502 Bar, 502 Embassy Oaks, 502bar.com. — Dalia Gulca

Sunday, May 21

HA*ASH

The sisters of Latina pop duo HA*ASH spent their formative years between Mexico City, Houston and Louisiana. That contrasting geography was influential, as reflected on their most recent release, the cheekily titled Haashtag. Their early exposure to gospel music left a big imprint, though they decided as adolescents that they wanted to perform country music in Spanish. Since then, HA*ASH has landed 12 songs on the top of the Mexican Billboard charts. Expect to do some singing along at this concert. $79.75-$600, 8 p.m., Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston St., (210) 226-3333, majesticempire.com. — MM

Wednesday, May 24

Komrads, I Ya Toyah, The Russian White, Zen Hander

This lineup of solo acts in the post-industrial and darkwave genres proves that it doesn’t take a whole entourage to create trancey, apocalyptic tunes. Headlining act Komrads from Rochester, N.Y., emphasizes the ominous and eerie aspects of synthwave, while the dark electronica of Chicago’s I Ya Toyah feels almost operatic in its intensity. Reading, Pennsylvania’s The Russian White leans more danceability, and San Antonio-based opener Zen Hander, has carved out a unique niche with a minimalist approach to synthwave. $8, 9 p.m., Hi-Tones, 621 E. Dewey Place, instagram.com/hitones_sa. — DG

Wednesday, May 24

Rochelle & The Sidewinders

The self-described “Texas Songbird” Rochelle Creone fronts the award winning Austin blues rock outfit Rochelle & The Sidewinders, and true to her nickname, she entices the audience with velvety vocals while the Sidewinders lay down rhythmic ri s. The group recently celebrated the release of 3rd Times a Charm with new label MoMojo Records. $10-$45, 8 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 223-2830, samsburgerjoint. com. — DC

Saturday, May 27

Pearl & The Oysters, Tele Novella

The duo Juliet Pearl Davis and Joachim Polack — The Oysters — delivers eclectic low key synth-pop that evokes both Stereolab and ’70s soft jazz. A friendship that began in high school in Paris has blossomed into a creative and personal pairing that followed the pair to Los Angeles via Gainesville, Florida. The Oysters’ latest release, Coast 2 Coast, drips with a decidedly West Coast vibe. $15, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com — DC

Tuesday, May 30

Acid Mothers Temple

Unless a band is comprised of chemistry profs, there’s a certain expectation when the word “acid” appears in its name. And yeah, this legendary crew from Japan is trippy as fuck. At an Acid Mothers Temple show, audiences can expect a brain-melting menagerie of sounds that includes heavy psych, krautrock, dissonant freakouts and shimmering soundscapes. Many of the group’s songs stretch past the 10-minute mark. $16, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — MM

Currents, Like Moths to Flames, Unity TX, Foreign Hands

Put your thinking caps on, because here come the mind-bendingly complex rhythms of the Meshuggah-inspired djent subgenre. Headliner Currents also pulls from the closely related metalcore genre. The Fairfield, Connecticut-based act has weathered numerous lineup changes since forming in 2013 and dropped its new album The Death We Seek on May 5. Hit this one up if you’re craving breakdowns. $19.50-$22, 6:30 p.m., The Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 772-1443, therockboxsa. com — MM