critics’ picks Retro

The Wild Sweet, Auji Collective

Texas Public Radio’s Summer Night City concert series is taking an indie-pop turn in this installation featuring San Antonio bands The Wild Sweet and Auji Collective. The Wild Sweet’s reverb-drenched and danceable tunes drip with ethereal, dreamlike qualities. Meanwhile, Auji Collective — so named because they’re an actual musical collective of artists supporting each other’s efforts — flow in and out of indie-rock beats. Expect sweet romantic ballads embellished with retro twang, bright guitars and vocals that sound like they’re coming out of a telephone receiver. Free, 7:30 p.m., Legacy Park, 103 W. Houston St. — Dalia Gulca

Friday, June 30

Hello Seahorse!, Estereoromance

Over the years, Mexican alt rockers Hello Seahorse! have shared the stage with bands top-billed U.S. acts including the Beastie Boys and The Killers. Formed in Mexico City in 2005, the group has released seven studio albums and are touring in support of their forthcoming release Híper. Their most recent album, Disco Estimulante, earned the group a Latin Grammy nomination for “Best Alternative Album” in 2020. $25-$30, 7 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — Danny Cervantes

ACRAZE

Staten Island-born DJ ACRAZE knows may not be a household name like Steve Aoki. Yet. Just give him time. ACRAZE’s house edit of the 2006 R&B hit “Do It To It” by Cherish reached 12 billion streams globally and was named “Dance Song of The Year” by iHeartRadio in 2021. Since then, he’s parlayed his success into a Vegas residency. $25, 9 p.m., 1902, 1174 E. Commerce St., (210) 941-3010, 1902satx.com. — DC

Saturday, July 1

Death Valley Girls, Soft Gems, DJ Carlos

While billed as a psychedelic outfit, Death Valley Girls puts the emphasis on strong songwriting rather than trippy jams. Hailing from LA — and sounding like it — the band evokes classic sounds of bands ranging from the Velvet Underground to the Brian Jonestown Massacre as they question the nature of reality. There’s also a fair amount of variety in the band’s sound as it occasionally mines the dark menace of Black Sabbath and the boogie of ZZ Top. Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Bonnie Bloomgarden also can switch between clear, soulful melodies and Yoko Ono-style warbling. $15-$20, 7 p.m., Tandem, 310 Riverside Dr., (210) 455-5400, tandemsatx.net. — Mike McMahan

Cooper Greenberg, The Golden Roses

San Antonio’s Cooper Greenberg is the kind of singer-songwriter who brings both memorable tunes and serious guitar chops to the table. Greenberg knows his way around a fretboard and can also deliver lyrics that cut deep. Don’t sleep on Austin’s The Golden Roses, a band steeped in Texas music styles from bluegrass to swing to traditional country. Thanks to a recent overhaul, violinist Heather Rae Johnson has added co-lead vocalist to her list of duties. $5, 9:30 p.m., Lonesome Rose, 2114 N. St. Mary’s, (210) 455-0233, thelonesomerose.com. — MM

Thursday, July 6

Bleeding Through, Unearth

If you enjoy metalcore and anniversaries, this package tour

Cowgirl

has your name written all over it. Orange County, California’s Bleeding Through is celebrating 20 years of its This is Love, This is Murderous LP, while Boston’s Unearth is commemorating 25 years as a band. The acts have dubbed this three-date Lone Star State jaunt the “Texas Takeover.” $20-$25, 7 p.m., Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St., (210) 772-1443., therockboxsa.com. — MM

Friday, July 7

Micky & The Motorcars, Blackbird Sing

Stanley, Idaho’s Braun brothers grew up in their family band playing dance halls. While older brothers Cody and Willy formed Reckless Kelly, younger brothers Micky and Gary left for Austin to form the alt-country band Micky & The Motorcars. More than 20 years after its formation, M&TMC continues to tour religiously while delivering its unique brand of red-dirt country. $16.50-$115, 8:30 p.m., Sam’s Burger Joint, 330 E. Grayson St., (210) 2232830, samsburgerjoint.com. — DC

Retro Cowgirl, Gokart Mozart, Luna Tropical This performance spotlights ever-glamorous, blues-infused San Antonio rockers Retro Cowgirl, who earlier this month released the new single “The Whole Damn Cake,” a summer anthem with an upbeat tempo and fierce energy. GoKart Mozart makes folksy rock with jazz touches — twangy yet with an underlying sweet melancholy. Deviating from the ’60s-rock influences in the lineup, Luna Tropical specializes in new wave Latin cumbia with a beat so irresistible it could inspire nearly anyone to start dancing. Free, 8 p.m., Brick at Blue Star, 108 Blue Star, (210) 262-

Saturday, July 8

The Frights

SoCal punks The Frights are blowing into town behind their latest release Gallows Humour. Vocalist-guitarist Mike Carnevale attended the same high school as the members of Blink-182, but The Frights have carved out their own musical path. The group’s 2016 album You Are Going To Hate This remains its most popular work to date, and Humour builds on its signature surfer-rock sound. $20-$25, 8 p.m., Paper Tiger, 2410 N. St. Mary’s St., papertigersatx.com. — DC

Tuesday, July 11

Nita Strauss, Lions At The Gate

Despite her boss’ rigorous touring schedule, longtime Alice Cooper guitarist Nita Strauss manages to find time to record and tour her own music. Expect a set split between Strauss’s instrumental work and songs that included vocal tracks. Strauss’ latest album was recorded with vocal help from luminaries including Cooper himself and Disturbed’s David Draiman, though TikTok sensation Dorothy is covering the vocals live. LA’s Lions

At The Gate recently dropped the single “Drain,” a well-crafted song likely to appeal to those who like catchy, accessible hard rock. $23, 8 p.m., Rock Box, 1223 E. Houston St. (210) 772-1443., therockboxsa.com. — MM