The weather is not yet unbearable, but these artists are bringing heat to Austin.
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May 5: Jmblya at Circuit of the Americas. Once again, local hip-hop promotion powerhouse Scoremore has produced a stellar lineup for their annual turn up. Emotional rapper/singer J. Cole leads a bill that includes a powerhouse second tier featuring Young Thug (a last minute swap for Cardi B) and Migos. Kevin Gates, Playboi Carti, Bun B and Trae tha Truth will also be in the house. Festival organizers say they have taken steps to deal with heat and dehydration, the biggest problems from last year’s festival. They promise expanded water filling stations, more bars and food vendors, and shade structures in the field. $89. 2 p.m. gates. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. jmblya.com. — D.S.S.
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Keith Urban performs onstage during the 2016 iHeartCountry Festival at the Erwin Center on April 30, 2016. Suzanne Cordeiro for American-Statesman
May 5: iHeartCountry Festival at Erwin Center. This is the fifth year that the radio conglomerate has invited some of the most-played acts on its country stations to Austin for short sets that add up to a four-hours-plus bash at the city’s largest indoor music venue. On the bill this time: Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Dustin Lynch, Cole Swindell, Maren Morris, Sugarland, Luke Combs, Billy Currington, Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi and Brett Young. $20-$400. 7 p.m. 1701 Red River St. uterwincenter.com. — P.B.
10: Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons at Bass Concert Hall. From 1960s hits with the Four Seasons to a major comeback thanks to the 1970s musical-turned-movie musical “Grease” to a late-career revival with the Broadway smash “Jersey Boys,” Valli has stretched what might have been a short window as a star of rock’s early years into a lifetime of pop stardom. At 83, he’s now an elder statesman dealing mostly in nostalgia, but the songs have a timeless appeal. $45.50-$139.50. 8 p.m. 2350 Robert Dedman Drive. texasperformingarts.org. — P.B.
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17: Khalid at HEB Center at Cedar Park. Still young, but much less dumb and broke than he was a couple years ago, the 20-year-old honorary Texan, who found fame as a high school student in El Paso, was one of the biggest artists to play SXSW this year. Backed by a full band and a cheer squad, he delivered a radiant performance with effortless vocal prowess. $49-$59. 8 p.m. 2100 Avenue of the Stars, Cedar Park. hebcenter.com. — D.S.S.
SXSW review: In Khalid’s utopia all are welcome
18: The Championship Tour with Kendrick Lamar, Sza at Austin360 Amphitheater. Kendrick Lamar is arguably the most important rapper alive right now. He makes sonically complex, lyrically dense music that still moves the masses. Powerful works like “We Gon’ Be Alright” remind even the most cynical among us that sometimes a song can change the world. This tour presents not just Lamar, but the whole Top Dawg Entertainment crew including first lady Sza, whose stunning 2017 release “Ctrl” was one of the strongest R&B albums of the year. The bill also includes Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and more. $35-$125. 7:30 p.m. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. austin360amphitheater.com. — D.S.S.
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RELATED: Kendrick Lamar brings his healing energy to Austin
18-19: Nada Surf at 3Ten. The beloved New York indie-pop band’s career has now reached the point where other artists are doing tribute records of their songs: Check out “Standing at the Gates,” released earlier this year and featuring contributions from Aimee Mann, Ed Harcourt, the Texas Gentlemen and others. Hear the real thing at this two-night stand; the first night sold out early, but tickets were still available for night two at press time. $20-$25. 8 p.m. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. 3tenaustin.com. — P.B.
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19-20: Emmylou Harris at Paramount Theatre. It was no surprise when the Grammys gave a lifetime achievement award to Harris this year, given that she’d already won more than a dozen of them in a variety of categories across a stellar five-decade career. At 70, she’s still making great music that pushes outward on the boundaries of country, shining especially in recent years through collaborations with Rodney Crowell, Mark Knopfler and others. Too big for just one show at the Paramount, she’ll play two nights. $40-$90. 8 p.m. 713 Congress Ave. austintheatre.org. — P.B.
May 25: Sa-Roc at Empire Control Room. The self-described Goddess MC from the Rhymesayers crew, tackles heavy themes like spiritual evolution and social injustice with powerful lyricism laid over soulful grooves. Her new single “Forever” is the flip-side of Beyonce’s “Flawless,” a self-love anthem that refuses to deny the struggle. She opens up about eating disorders, and episodes of self-harm and encourages the listener to never let the scars stop you from shining bright. $10-$15. 9 p.m. doors. 606 E. Seventh St. empireatx.com –D.S.S.
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May 26: Red Baraat at 3Ten. NOLA brass band meets Bollywood dance party in the best only-in-America sonic mashup you can ask for. $20. 8:30 p.m. 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. 3tenaustin.com. — D.S.S.
May 27: Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers at Austin360 Amphitheater. The death of Walter Becker last year means that Steely Dan is now steered only by co-founder Donald Fagen. But the songs they wrote together are a lasting legacy, and Fagen’s distinctive vocals are central enough to the band’s big hits that longtime fans likely will want to be there. The Doobies are sort of the flip side of the equation, missing showcase singer Michael McDonald; but the group had racked up hits before he’d joined the band, and they’ve proven plenty capable of pulling off a quality opening set on previous Austin visits in recent years. $35-$149.50. 7:30 p.m. 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd. austin360amphitheater.com. — P.B.
1: The Darkness, Diarrhea Planet at Emo’s
1: The Distillers at Mohawk outdoors (sold out)
2: Jack White at Austin360 Amphitheater
2: Lloyd Cole at 3Ten.
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2: Mansionair, Mikky Ekko at Parish
2: Kiefer Sutherland, Rick Brantley at Antone’s
2: Tune-Yards, My Brightest Diamond at Emo’s
2: Rogue Wave at Empire Control Room
2: Bing & Ruth at Central Presbyterian Church
3: Greta Van Fleet at Stubb’s outdoor (sold out)
3: Devin the Dude at Empire Control Room
3: Kathy Mattea with Bill Cooley at One World Theatre
3: Walter Trout, Lance Lopez at Antone’s
4: Afghan Whigs, Built to Spill, Ed Harcourt at Emo’s
4: Madeleine Peyroux at One World Theatre
4: Madison Beer at Parish
4: Fu Manchu at Barracuda
4-5: Superchunk at 3Ten
5: Lyle Lovett & his Large Band at ACL Live
5: Cinco de Mayo 2018 at Fiesta Gardens
5: Punk in Drublic with NOFX, Bad Religion, Interrupters, Mad Caddies, Bad Cop Bad Cop, Last Gang, more at American-Statesman parking lot
5: Led Zeppelin 2 at Emo’s
5: Autograf at Empire Garage
5: Will Johnson at Mohawk indoor
6: Echosmith, Score, Jena Rose at Emo’s
7: Hayley Kiyoko at Emo’s
8: Gordon Lightfoot at ACL Live
8: King Tuff at Barracuda
9: Andrew McMahon & the Wilderness, Allen Stone, Zac Clark, Bob Oxblood at Scoot Inn (sold out)
9: Franz Ferdinand at Emo’s
9: Parker Millsap at Parish
9: Of Montreal at Mohawk
9: Sofi Tucker at Vulcan Gas Company
10: Babymetal at ACL Live
10: Metalachi, Money Chicha at Scoot Inn
10: Nav at Emo’s
10: Helmet, Prong at Mohawk outdoor
10: Mike Farris & the Roseland Rhythm Revue at Antone’s
10: David Wilcox at One World Theatre
11-13: Finding Euphoria Festival with Gramatik, Hippie Sabotage and G Jones at Carson Creek Ranch.
11: Primus, Mastodon, All Them Witches at Austin360 Amphitheater
11: Blood, Sweat & Tears at One World Theatre
11: Todrick Hall at Emo’s
11: Travis Greene at Scoot Inn
11: Dweezil Zappa at Mohawk outdoor
11: Shemekia Copeland at Antone’s
11: Skizzy Mars at Empire Control Room
12: Dr. Dog, Son Little at ACL Live
12: Gipsy Kings at Paramount Theatre
12: Webb Wilder at Cactus Cafe
12: Shinyribs at Scoot Inn
12: Kid Koala’s Vinyl Vaudeville Floor Kids Edition at 3Ten
12: Party Thieves at Empire Control Room
14: Courtney Barnett at Saengerrunde Hall (sold out)
14: Blue October at Mohawk (sold out)
15: Dirty Projectors at Mohawk outdoor
15: Apocalyptica Plays Metallica by Four Cellos at Emo’s
15: American Pleasure Club f.k.a. Teen Suicide at Mohawk outdoor
16: Kenny Chesney, Old Dominion at Austin360 Amphitheater
16: Pond at Mohawk outdoor
16: Joe Pug at 3Ten.
17: Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang at ACL Live
17: Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Stubb’s (sold out)
17: Karla Bonoff at One World Theatre
17: Frenship at Parish
17 :Runaway June at 3Ten
18: Koe Wetzel at Scoot Inn
18: Jimmy Eat World at Stubb’s outdoor
18: ZZ Ward at Emo’s
18: Geographer at Parish
18: MC Chris at Barracuda
18: Ginuwine at Empire
19: X Ambassadors at Stubb’s outdoor
19: Kat Edmonson at ACL Live
19: Tritonal at Emo’s
19: Kimbra, Son Lux at Mohawk outdoor
20: Anvil at Barracuda
20: Less Than Jake, Face to Face at Mohawk outdoor
20: Trashcan Sinatras at 3Ten
20: Brian Culbertson at One World Theatre
21: Tash Sultana at Stubb’s
22: Dave Matthews Band at Austin360 Amphitheater
22: David Crosby & Friends at Paramount Theatre
22: Smokepurpp at Mohawk outdoor
22: Amber Mark at Mohawk indoor
23: Peter Hook & the Light at Mohawk outdoor
24: Hot Snakes at Mohawk outdoor
25: Joe Bonamassa at ACL Live (sold out)
25: Galactic at Mohawk outdoor
25: Chief Keef at Empire
26-27: Lone Star Jam at Travis County Exposition Center
26: David Bromberg Quintet at One World Theatre
26: DDG at Empire
26: Okkervil River at Mohawk outdoor
27: Peanut Butter Wolf at Mohawk indoor
29: Midge Ure solo at 3Ten
30: Shilpa Ray at Sidewinder
31: Josh Garrels, Strahan at Emo’s
31: Nightmares on Wax at Mohawk outdoor
31: Richard Buckner at Cactus Cafe