COMMENTARY Fall music preview

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OKC IS IN THE MIDST OF A LIVE MUSIC RENAISSANCE AND, AS THE PANDEMIC WANES, THE CONCERT SCHEDULE WAXES.

By Chad Whitehead

Ten years ago, Oklahoma City had no Criterion. The Jones Assembly hadn’t been assembled, and Tower Theatre was still an abandoned relic of a bygone era. There were still concerts that came to town, but the city has grown and hopefully with it, our appetite for shows.

OKC concert goers are in for a busy month. Local venues booked 14 acts performing at Austin City Limits Festival: The Chicks, Paramore, Billy Strings, Conan Gray, Goose, Big Wild, Sofi Tukker, Noah Cyrus, Kevin Morby, Magdalena Bay, Role Model, Sloppy Jane and two others that ended up canceling dates.

If you grabbed this Oklahoma Gazette hot off the press, get ready for a week of: Paramore, Big Wild, Tom Segura, Conan Gray, The Chicks, Dylan Scott and more. If you need a bit more time to make a plan (read: find a babysitter), here are some shows in October worth checking out.

Quick note: Always buy your tickets directly from the venue so that your seats are guaranteed and you won’t have any issues at the door with scam tickets.

Jason Scott & The High Heat perform at Beer City Music Hall. | Photo by Berlin Green.

Kevin Morby Oct. 10 Beer City Music Hall

Fans of a certain age will have stories of going to high school in Edmond with Kevin Morby, but that’s not why the rest of us have had this date circled on our calendars for most of this year. Kevin Morby represents the best of the folk indie scene and he’s still just getting better. I’m not a fan of Mondays either, but this show cuts through. For fans of Shakey Graves, Cass McCombs.

We Were Promised Jetpacks Oct. 1 Beer City Music Hall

WWPJ are an indie band from Scotland. I’m not a sad bastard, but give me that Scottish brogue and some crunchy, technical guitars all day. It’s all the soul searching of Frightened Rabbit with a slightly faster tempo. For fans of Death Cab for Cutie, Frightened Rabbit.

Role Model Oct. 12 Tower Theatre

The pandemic has been a great setting for artists in the bedroom pop genre. All that extra time stuck at home to record has now transitioned into some very large crowds on tour. That’s the case for Role Model, who has successfully blown up and is taking his music with open lyrics about mental health, depression and more on the road. For fans of Mac Miller, Harry Styles.

Tai Verdes Oct. 13 Tower Theatre

What’s not to love about an artist who started the pandemic working at a T-Mobile store writing songs and sharing them via TikTok? Tai Verdes is the music of right now. It’s today, it’s fresh, honest and fun without taking itself too seriously. For fans of Still Woozy, Jawny.

Sloppy Jane Oct. 13 Ponyboy

Sloppy Jane sounds like what would happen if the Wicked Witch of the West made an angsty goth record. And it’s incredible. First show I’ve ever seen that is black tie-suggested. For fans of Julien Baker, Pom Pom Squad.

Wallows Oct. 13 The Criterion

I’m too tall (and old) for festivals, but I loved watching all the live streams from Coachella, Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo. Guess what they all had in common? Wallows. Main stage. Big time crowds. Wallows played (and crushed) all three festivals and are also playing ACL. Say what you want about my taste, but you can’t argue with the talent buyers from the four biggest brand-name music festivals in America. For fans of Vampire Weekend, COIN.

Goose Oct. 14 The Criterion

Goose is the hottest jam band in America. They blew through Tower last year and will blow through Criterion as well. After they play both weekends at ACL with a Criterion date in between, they’ve been tapped by Trey Anastasio for an 11-date arena tour. For fans of The String Cheese Incident, Umphrey’s McGee.

Billy Strings Oct. 15 The Criterion

This show is super sold out, just like Teddy Swims at Tower Theatre the night before. I’m only listing it here to drive up your FOMO. Other sold-out shows for the market include The Chicks (Zoo Amp) and Conan Gray (The Criterion). Don’t miss out on the best shows — buy your tickets in advance.

Sofi Tukker Oct. 18 The Jones Assembly

Fresh off their new album, Wet Tennis, Sofi Tukker hit OKC for their first play in the market. If you’ve ever wondered what an EDM/ dance show would feel like at The Jones Assembly, don’t miss this show. Everyone who goes is in for a dance-y, sweaty good time. For fans of Sylvan Esso, LP Giobbi.

Live music has the power to make us feel things, helps us unite with others and ourselves and can provide an animating break from the bleakness of modern life. So go to a show! Or don’t. But no complaining about the Oklahoma City concert calendar anymore. Any city in America would be happy to have such a stacked lineup.

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