Friday-Sunday: Eastside Kings Festival. Dialtone Records founder Eddie Stout has made preserving the heritage of gospel and blues music in Central Texas a lifelong mission. This is the fifth year for his signature festival, designed to jumpstart the heart of Austin’s historic blues district on the Eastside. On Saturday and Sunday, over 30 bands will play eight tightly clustered venues, with a big stage in the Mission Possible parking lot at Twelfth and Chicon as the centerpiece. Featured artists include old-school greats like Sonny Rhodes and Blues Boy Hubbard alongside some of the hottest new acts on Austin’s soul scene like Jai Malano and Tomar and the FCs. New events this year include a Friday night kickoff party at Antone’s and an afterparty at Justine’s Brasserie on Tuesday. $10 daily. 9 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Check facebook.com/EastsideKingsFestival for detailed schedule info and venue addresses. — D.S.S.
RELATED: Eddie Stout grows Eastside Kings blues fest to 9 clubs in East Austin
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Saturday: Sturgill Simpson, Fantastic Negrito at Austin360 Amphitheater. Building on the remarkable artistic breakthrough of his 2014 record “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music,” Sturgill Simpson got an album of the year Grammy nomination for last year’s “A Sailor’s Guide to Earth.” He didn’t win, but that and a breakout “Saturday Night Live” performance cemented his status as a leader among a new wave of artists who are saving country music from bro-pop pablum. The addition of acclaimed modern bluesman Fantastic Negrito to the bill is an inspired touch. $29.50-$59.50. 8 p.m. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. austin360amphitheater.com. — P.B.
Janet Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup at the Meydan Racecourse on March 26, 2016 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Sunday: Janet Jackson at Erwin Center. Much has happened since the 50-year-old pop sensation canceled her 2016 “Unbreakable” tour to focus on starting a family. She gave birth to a son, Eissa, then split with her husband. In May, she announced plans to restart the tour, renamed “State of the World,” a title she says is not about politics but rather “people, the world, relationships and love.” She promises a set list that includes a mix of fan favorites from “Unbreakable,” socially conscious music she’s released through the years and plenty of hits. $35.95-$135.95. 8 p.m. 1701 Red River St. uterwincenter.com. — D.S.S.
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Sunday: Reckless Kelly Celebrity Softball Jam at Dell Diamond. The ninth annual music-and-sports event has moved from spring to fall this year. A late change in plans: Proceeds will go to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Joining Reckless Kelly on the bill for the concert, which follows an early-afternoon softball game featuring local music and media luminaries, are Cody Canada & the Departed, Wade Bowen, Midnight River Choir, Randy Rogers, Jamie Lin Wilson, John Evans, Rosie Flores, Jesse Dayton, Jason Eady, Charlie Robison, Mike & the Moonpies, Shinyribs, Bart Crow, Courtney Patton and more. A late add to the bill is alt-country band American Aquarium. $25-$30. Noon (game), 3 p.m. (concert). 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. rkcsj.org. — P.B.
ALSO PLAYING
Friday
- Green Day, Catfish & the Bottlemen at Austin360 Amphitheater
- Phillip Phillips at ACL Live
- Ghostland Observatory, Night Drive at Stubb’s outdoor
- Shinyribs, Charley Crockett at Paramount
- Suzy Bogguss at Stateside at the Paramount
- Melvins, Spotlights at Mohawk outdoor
- Beatjuice #2 with Black Milk at Empire
- Zander Schloss, Will Courtney, Mike Molnar at Sidewinder
- David Ramirez at Waterloo Records
- Spyro Gyra at One World Theatre
- Harvest Thieves, Thunderado, Blues Specialists at Continental Club
- Charlie Mars, Denny Freeman at Saxon Pub
- Mingo Fishtrap at 3Ten
- Sanco Loop record release at Cactus Cafe
- Duncan Fellows record release, Us Presidents, Brody Price at Barracuda
- AJ 8 with the Moles, the Relators at Beerland
- A. Sinclair, Glass Grapes at ABGB
- Ruby & the Reckless at Geraldine’s
- Don Leady & the Tail Gators at Antone’s
- Artillery, Nominee, Later Days, Casino AM at Come and Take It Live
Saturday
- Manchester Orchestra, Foxing, All Get Out at Stubb’s outdoor
- Dead Boys at Hotel Vegas
- Secret Sisters, William Wild at 3Ten
- White Denim, Palo Duro, Feverbones at Mohawk outdoor
- She Wants Revenge, Sine, Curse Mackey at Empire
- David Cook at One World Theatre
- G4SHI at Vulcan Gas Company
- Brazil Day at Antone’s
- David Dondero, Real Live Tigers at Cactus Cafe
- Mystery Achievement record release, Go Fever, Ladyfang at ABGB
- 80H Project, Coffee Sergeants at One-2-One Bar
- Drab Majesty, Louisianna Purchase, Future Blondes, SRSQ, DJ Troller at Barracuda
- Nic Armstrong & the Thieves, Skyline at Threadgill’s South
- Guy Forsyth, Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel at Saxon Pub
- Peterson Brothers, Redd Volkaert at Continental Club
- American Aquarium, Matthew Ryan at Gruene Hall
Sunday
- Colin Hay, Trace Bundy at Paramount
- Dailey & Vincent at One World Theatre
- Yacht Rock Revue at 3Ten
- These Fine Moments CD release at One-2-One Bar
- Soul of a Musician series with the Deer at Iron Cactus North
- Quiet Company, Booher, Genuine Leather at Ernie’s on the Lake
- Peelander Fest with Peelander-Z, Mugen Hoso, Otonana Trio, Saint Lo Gun at Barracuda
- Resentments, John Gaar, George Ensle at Saxon Pub
- Cornell Hurd Band at ABGB
- Hilary York, Aimee Bobruk at C-Boy’s
