Use our 2024 Austin concert guide to give the last-minute gift of live music this year

We're a week out from the big day. You've missed all the shipping deadlines for easy online gifting. The thought of facing your friends and family empty-handed this year fills you with dread.

Don't worry, baby, we got you. This is the Live Music Capital of the World. Why not give your loved ones an unforgettable experience? We've compiled this list of concerts and tours heading to Austin with picks for everyone on your list. We've also included a rundown of music festivals coming to the Texas capital next year.

Jan. 1

• The Blessed Madonna at the Concourse Project

Jan. 4

• Jack Kays at 3Ten

Jan. 5-6

Free Week in Red River Cultural District

The perfect gift for: All your broke homies

OK, this one's a cheat, because, obviously, there are no tickets to Free Week. There are also no huge name acts. Instead, the annual bash — once a sprawling week-long affair, now pared back to a weekend in the Red River Cultural District — offers a wonderful opportunity for the Austin music-curious to explore the city's scene. Next year, thirteen venues in the walkable district will throw open their doors for two nights of no cover shows. Draw up drink tickets for your friends and make a New Year's resolution to spend more time supporting local music. This year's acts include singer-songwriter Abram Shook, electro-prog dream twisters, Nolan Potter's Nightmare Band and rising Latin rock trio, the Tiarras. redriverculturaldistrict.org/free-week

Jan. 6

• Slaughter Beach at Emo’s

Jan. 11

• Levi Hummon at ACL Live

• The Charlatans (UK) at Emo’s

Jan. 12

• Jeremy Olander at Concourse Project

Jan. 18

Playboi Carti at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your teenage nephew

Hopefully, your lil' bro' isn't actually "runnin' from the cops," but who among us didn't spend our awkward adolescent years talking big game and beefing with "opps." The superstar rapper's Antagonist tour will give your dude a boost of braggadocio as he shouts along to lyrics that would make mom and dad squirm. Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely and Homixide Gang are also on the bill. $49.50 and up. moodycenteratx.com.

• Kool & the Gang at ACL Live

• Robyn Hitchcock at 3Ten

Jan. 19

Lucinda Williams at ACL Live

The perfect gift for: Your mom and/or her childless best friend who was your unofficial aunt

Twenty-five years ago, the Gulf Coast singer-songwriter spun her "Car Wheels on a Gravel Road" and wove her beautiful story songs into the fabric of the American experience. Now at a world-weary 70, she's still sketching stories about our country's spirit as she invokes our collective "Rock 'n' Roll Heart" on the title track for a new album due out in June. $53 and up. acllive.com

• Markus Schulz at Concourse Project

• Tommy Prine at 3Ten

• Atlanta Rhythm Section at 04 Center

• Lotus at Emo’s

Jan. 20

• Elvis Costello & the Imposters at ACL Live

• Tré Burt at 3Ten

• Riddlin' Kids at Mohawk outdoor

Jan. 24

• Mayer Hawthorne at the Mohawk

Jan. 26

• Aaron Watson at ACL Live

• RJD2 at Kingdom

• Toxic Winter with Crankdat, Jessica Audiffred, Infekt at Concourse Project

Jan. 27

Moon Hooch at Parish

The perfect gift for: Your old school marching band buddies or the budding young horn player in your life

This trio of street musicians from NYC coax an entirely unreasonable amount of sound of two saxophones and a drum kit. Songs designed to rumble a subway platform will rattle the rafters at the intimate East Austin haunt as they reignite your faith in the power of a good horn line. $22 resoundpresents.com

• Cassian at Concourse Project

• Alejandro Escovedo at ACL Live

• San Holo at Emo’s

• Bo En at Empire

• Kitchen Dwellers at Empire

Jan. 28

• Doobie Brothers 50th anniversary at Moody Center

Jan. 31

• Tool at Moody Center

• Oliver Tree at ACL Live

• Young Dubliners at Empire Control Room

Feb. 1

• Bryan Adams at Moody Center

Feb. 2

• Veil of Maya at Empire Garage

Feb. 2-3

The Eagles, Steely Dan at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your dad, granddad and/or that free-spirited uncle who's spending his retirement years road-tripping on his custom hog

"Take It To the Limit" one more time, as the Eagles wrap up their Long Goodbye tour. Don Henley leads Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (Glenn's son) as the group (allegedly) closes the book on a 52-year run. The band's contemporaries, classic rock titans Steely Dan, open. This one's going to cost you. Resale tickets are running $279 and up. moodycenteratx.com

• The Ocean Blue at 3Ten

Feb. 3

• Cory Wong featuring Monica Martin at Emo’s

• Militarie Gun at Mohawk outdoor

• Sango at Empire Garage

Feb. 6

• Squirrel Flower at the Ballroom

Feb. 7

• The Devil Wears Prada at Emo’s

Feb. 8

• Kaivon at the Concourse Project

Feb. 9

Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull and Ricky Martin in The Trilogy Tour at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your mamá and/or your unofficial tía; Alternately, your old school chicas

Look, do you really want to know how your moms and her homies got down in the late '90s and early '00s? OK, you already know she was wilin', because she never bothered hiding the incriminating pics. Be the designated driver on this trip back to her crunk club days and make hilarious memories for the ages. $99 and up. moodycenteratx.com

• ISOxo at the Concourse Project

• The Movement at Emo’s

• Trousdale at 3Ten

• Brainiac at Parish

Feb. 10

Jamila Woods at Emo’s

The perfect gift for: Your boo.

Hard-won love is the most powerful love, the Chicago singer and poet posits on her latest album "Water Made Us," this year's follow up to her brilliant 2019 tribute to Black cultural icons, "Legacy! Legacy!" Share a beautiful, pre-Valentine's celebration of mature love with all its idiosyncrasies and occasional missteps. $33.75. emosaustin.com

• Rebirth Brass Band at ACL Live

• Camelphat at the Concourse Project

Feb. 13

• Chicago at ACL Live

• Code Orange at Emo’s

• Helado Negro at Empire Garage

• Thursday: War All The Time Live at Mohawk outdoor

Feb. 14

• Foxing, the Hotelier at Mohawk outdoor

Feb. 15

• Nightmares on Wax at Concourse Project

Feb. 16

• LETTUCE at Stubb’s

• Grace Potter at ACL Live

• Husbands at 3Ten

Feb. 17

• Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band at ACL Live

• Cold War Kids at Stubb’s

• Karina Rykman at 3Ten

• Machine Head at Emo’s

• Saetia at Empire Garage

Feb. 18

• 2024 Ameripolitan Music Awards at ACL Live

Feb. 19

• Extreme, Living Colour at ACL Live

Feb. 20

• Evan Dando at Parish

Feb. 21

• The Dead South at ACL Live

• Mac Saturn at 3Ten

Feb. 22

• Godsmack at ACL Live

• Kat Hasty at 3Ten

• Warren Zeiders at Emo’s

• Daniel, Me Estás Matando at Parish

Feb. 23

• Excision at the Moody Center

• Gov’t Mule at ACL Live

• Petey at Mohawk outdoor

• Girli at Parish

Feb. 24

• Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame with Eric Johnson, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall, Ruthie Foster & Terry McBride at ACL Live

• Small Black at Parish

• Maceo Plex at the Concourse Project

Feb. 24-25

• Yo La Tengo at Mohawk outdoor (night one technically sold out)

Feb. 25

• A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor at ACL Live

Feb. 27

Diana Ross at ACL Live

The perfect gift for: Your fierce gay uncle, your fierce gay nephew, your elegant aunt or fabulous grandmother, your karaoke crew

A true national treasure, the head Supreme has occupied an iconic place as the grand diva of soul music for decades. Her Music Legacy tour demonstrates her enduring appeal as she celebrates with old fans and introduces her catalog of classics to the next generation. $99 and up. acllive.com.

• Alkaline Trio at Stubb’s

Feb. 28

Olivia Rodrigo at the Moody Center (technically sold out)

The perfect gift for: Your trust fund baby

We kid. This is actually the perfect gift for anyone who's ever experienced the bittersweet thrill of young love gone awry, a.k.a. all of us. But this show is so sold out that at press time, Ticketmaster didn't even have any resale seats available and the only tickets we could find on other third-party sellers' sites were in the $400 range for single seats. So, unless you have that private jet money, this one is going to be tough to swing. moodycenteratx.com

• Enjoy at Mohawk outdoor

Feb. 28-29

• Lany at ACL LIve

Feb. 29

• Disturbed at Moody Center

March 1

• Blake Shelton at the Moody Center

• The Blessed Madonna at Concourse Project

• Magic City Hippies at Stubb’s

March 2

Besame Mucho Festival at COTA (technically sold out)

Launched in L.A. last year, the massive celebration of Latin music finds a second home in Texas for year two. The inaugural Austin event presents music on four stages, each representing a different style of Latin music from pop to banda. The expansive lineup pulls together stars from each genre with notable names like Los Tigres del Norte, Caifanes, Gloria Trevi and Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizárraga. Tickets are sold out, but you can get on the waitlist to buy tickets at the (very steep) final pricing tier of $399.

More: From Los Tigres to Juanes: Besame Mucho Festival expands to Austin with huge Latin lineup

• Futurebirds & the Nude Party at Stubb’s

• Sofiane Pamart at Central Presbyterian Church

• AC Slater at Concourse Project

• Gregory Alan Isakov at ACL Live

• Dorian Electra at Mohawk outdoor

• Al Stewart with the Empty Pockets at 3Ten

• Elephant Gym at Parish

• Tkay Maidza at Antone’s

March 3

• Tow’rs at 3Ten

March 5

• Sammy Rae and the Friends with Sir Woman at Stubb’s

• Mom Jeans at Emo’s

• DENM, Little Stranger at Empire Garage

March 6

Sleater-Kinney at ACL Live

The perfect gift for: Your old riot-grrrl crew. The "Portlandia"-obsessed '90s rock enthusiast in your life.

"Little Rope," the new album from the lifelong Portland scene stalwarts was shaped by tragedy. In 2022, with work on the album already underway, Carrie Brownstein learned that both of her parents had been killed in a car accident while vacationing in Italy. According to a news release, grief refocused the album into "a meditation on what living in a world of perpetual crisis has done to us, and what we do to the world in return." The new album is out on Jan. 19. $42 and up. acllive.com

• Briston Maroney at Emo’s

March 7

• Dan + Shay at the Moody Center

• Health at Empire Garage

March 8

• Fall Out Boy at Moody Center

• The Kills at Stubb’s BBQ

• Bombay Bicycle Club at Emo’s

• Loving at the Far Out Lounge

• Ekkstacy at the Ballroom

March 9

• Flipturn at Emo’s

March 9-10

• IllFest with Rezz, Black Tiger Sex Machine at Concourse Project

March 10

• Eric Bellinger at Emo’s

• Skizzy Mars at the Ballroom

March 11

• Matt Maltese at Emo’s

March 11-16

South by Southwest Music Festival

If trends from the past few years continue, expect a festival focused on emerging artists and top talent from around the world. Music badges that grant access to all music festival and conference programming are on sale now for $835. Much more affordable wristbands will be made available closer to the festival. sxsw.com

March 17

• Sasha Colby at Emo’s

March 18

• Devendra Banhart at Mohawk outdoor

March 20

• Deap Vally at Mohawk outdoor

March 21

• Bryce Vine at Emo’s

March 22

• Descendents and Circle Jerks at Stubb’s BBQ

• The Rocket Summer at 3Ten

March 22-23

The Dresden Dolls at Mohawk outdoor

The perfect gift for: Your theater or art school friends

On hiatus since 2008, underground cabaret punks Amanda Palmer and Brian Viglione originally planned to reunite in 2019-2020, but we all know how that panned out. The reunion happened in earnest this year, with the band thrilling audiences in New York and L.A. with their customary theatrics and brand new tunes. $40. mohawkaustin.com

Anjunadeep/Anjunabeats at Concourse Project

The perfect gift for: the vibe curator in your life

British DJ crew Above & Beyond founded the trance music label Anjunabeats in 2000 and the deep house label Anjunadeep a few years later in 2005. In this two night stand, they feature music from the deep side on March 22 and Anjunabeats After Dark on March 23. $25 and up nightly. concourseproject.com

March 23

• Jimbo’s Drag Circus at Emo’s

• Lilly Hiatt at 3Ten

March 24

• Mike Doughty and Ghost of Vroom at 3Ten

March 26

Busta Rhymes at Stubb’s BBQ

The perfect gift for: Your favorite rap purist who stays mad at every mumble rapper in the game

Busta's eleventh studio album "BlockBusta" was met with mixed reviews, but with his distinctive growl (like a dungeon dragon) and unmatchable delivery, the 51-year-old rap heavy remains one of the greatest emcees to ever touch a mic. $62.45. stubbsaustin.com

March 27

• Jon Batiste at ACL Live (general admission sold out)

March 28

• Chelsea Cutler at Stubb’s BBQ

March 29

• Gareth Emery at the Concourse Project

• Bar Italia at Mohawk outdoor

March 30

• Sleepytime Gorilla Museum at Mohawk outdoor

• Lætitia Sadier (Stereolab) at Parish

April 1

• Ado at HEB Center

April 4

• Da∂i Freyr at Empire Garage

April 5

• A. Savage at Far Out Lounge

• Jonah Kagen at 3Ten

• Torres at Parish

April 6

• Chastity Belt at Mohawk outdoor

April 7

• CMT Awards at Moody Center

• Sheer Mag at Far Out Lounge

April 10

• Tyler Childers at Moody Center

April 11

• Tim McGraw at Moody Center

• Kai Wachi at the Concourse Project

• Danny Brown at Empire Garage

April 12

• Lauren Daigle at Moody Center

• 10,000 Maniacs at ACL Live

• Visionquest at the Concourse Project

April 13

• Sultan + Shepherd (live) at the Concourse Project

April 12-13

Cattle Country Festival in Gonzales

Eric Church, Whiskey Myers and Koe Wetzel take top billing at the inaugural Hill Country music and camping (and glaming) festival. Weekend passes start at $215. cattlecountryfesttx.com

April 13

• Chris Renzema at Emo’s

• Hurray for the Riff Raff at 3Ten

• Aterciopelados at Mohawk outdoor

April 14-15

Madonna at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your older LGBTQ friends and family members who survived the AIDS crisis. Your younger LGBTQ friends and family members who are struggling with the current political climate. Anyone who loves genre-redefining pop music.

The "Vogue" queen returns to Austin for only the second time in four decades. The Celebration tour will feature hits from her 40-year career, including 38 songs that ranked in the Billboard Hot 100. $154 and up. moodycenteratx.com

April 16

• Glass Beach at Far Out Lounge

April 19

• Laufey at Bass Concert Hall (sold out)

• Timmy Trumpet’s Freak Show at Concourse Project

April 19-21

Austin Reggae Festival at Auditorium Shores

The celebration of laid back island vibes and cannabis culture celebrates its 30th year at Auditorium Shores. The only artist announced so far is Italy's Mellow Mood, but expect a fine selection and national, regional and international reggae talent. The event is also one of the biggest annual fundraisers for the Central Texas Food Bank. Friday $20, Saturday $38, Sunday $26, Weekend pass $74. https://www.austinreggaefest.co

April 20

• Mannequin Pussy at Mohawk outdoor

• Pop 2000 tour with Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC, O-Town, BBMAK, LFO & Ryan Cabrera at Haute Spot

April 20-21

Two Step Inn at San Gabriel Park in Georgetown

Texas singer-songwriter Cody Johnson leads the bill on day one while Central Texas' favorite Okies, the Turnpike Troubadours take top billing on day two on the country music fest's second swing around San Gabriel Park. Other artists set to perform include Hank Williams, Jr., Clint Black, Ryan Bingham with the Texas Gentleman, Colter Wall, Charley Crockett, Martina McBride, Lee Ann Womack, Megan Moroney and (checks notes) rapper Ludacris. Single-day tickets start at $189. Two-days start at $349 and up. twostepinn.com

April 21

• Adam Ant, English Beat at ACL Live

• Glenn Miller Orchestra at Bass Concert Hall

April 22

• Ty Segall at Mohawk outdoor

April 23

• Donny Benet at Mohawk outdoor

• TWRP at Empire Garage

April 24

• Blind Guardian at Emo’s

• Imminence at Empire Garage

April 25

• Pink Pantheress at Emo’s

April 26

• Set It Off at Emo’s

April 26-27

• Bad Bunny at Moody Center

April 26-28

Austin Psych Festival at Far Out Lounge

The Black Angels-founded indie fest returns to South Austin for three-days of scuzzy guitars, dreamy synths and experimental groove science. Australian indie rocker Courtney Barnett headlines day one alongside L.A.'s psych-soul outfit Chicano Batman and fellow Aussies, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. On day two, host band, the Black Angels, takes the top spot with Nashville's All Them Witches and fellow spellbinders Frankie and the Witch Fingers also performing. Canadian dream-pop outfit Alvvays and rockers Kurt Vile and the Violators and Dehd close things out on day three. Tickets and more information at levitation.fm.

April 27

Hatsune Miku Expo 2024 at HEB Center

The perfect gift for: The anime-obsessed teenager in your life.

OK, stick with us on this one: the Japanese music sensation is not an actual human being but a virtual persona with a computer-generated voice and 3D graphics. Ordinary users can input lyrics and melodies to make the character sing. A fervent user community embraced the character and built her (it?) into a cultural phenomenon. She's appeared in Japanese animation and anime streamer Crunchyroll is sponsoring this tour. We consulted a 15-year-old who informed us that this is not the end of civilization as we know it, but a new way that artists are collaborating on music and art. $241 and up. hebcenter.com

April 27-28

Austin Blues Festival in Waterloo Park

The celebration of the blues and the many genres spawned by the American roots music form returns for a second year with a fantastic lineup featuring Buddy Guy, Brittany Howard, Robert Glasper, Big Freedia, Blind Boys of Alabama with Bobby Rush, Dumpstaphunk and more. $80 single-day, $130 two-day. austinbluesfestival.com

April 28

• Kane Brown at Moody Center

April 30

• Hozier at Moody Center

May 1

• Mike Viola at 3Ten

May 2

Rhiannon Giddens at Paramount Theatre

May 3

• Mitis at the Concourse Project

• Joe Satriani and Steve Vai at ACL Live

• Tyla at Emo’s

May 4

• NEEDTOBREATHE, Judah the Lion at Waterloo Park

• The Teskey Brothers at ACL Live

• Barclay Crenshaw at the Concourse Project

• This Will Destroy You at Parish

May 5

Luis Miguel at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: The love of your life

The golden-voiced former child star has dabbled in many styles from pop to mariachi to jazz in his iconic career. But El Sol de México is best known for sweeping ballads that will make your heart soar. $75 and up. moodycenteratx.com

May 6

• Greta Van Fleet at Moody Center

May 7

• AJR at Moody Center

• Echo and the Bunnymen at Stubb’s BBQ

May 11

• The Motet at Empire Garage

May 12

Nicki Minaj at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your fave Barbie girl who's trying to find her shine in this troubled world

Nicki's "Pink Friday 2" might not be the blockbuster the boss Barbie delivered with the first installment over a decade ago, but it's a testament to her game-changing presence in the rap world and her enduring ability to hook an earworm while spitting undeniable bars. Minaj last played Austin during the X Games in 2016 and the Barbz who basked in her glow at that show became brighter because of it. "Spitting lines like “ain’t gotta rely on top 40, I am a rap legend/Just go ask the kings of rap, who is the queen” on “Feeling Myself,” or like “I ain’t never need a man take care of me” on “Truffle Butter,” Minaj’s unimpeachable self-esteem became her audience’s," then-Statesman staffer Eric Webb wrote about the show. moodycenteratx.com

• Slowdive, Drab Majesty at ACL Live

• Jacob Collier, Kimbra at Waterloo Park

• Ocean Alley at Emo’s

May 14

• BoyWithUke at Stubb’s BBQ

May 17

• Pepe Aguilar at Moody Center

May 21

• Idles at Waterloo Park

May 24

• Melanie Martinez at Moody Center

• Israel Nash at Antone’s

May 25

• Taking Back Sunday at Stubb’s BBQ

May 28

• Madison Beer at Stubb’s

May 30

• Two Door Cinema Club at Stubb’s

May 31

• Bleachers at Waterloo Park

June 2

• NF at Moody Center

June 4

• Tesla at ACL Live

June 12

• Alanis Morissette at Moody Center

June 13-16

Oblivion Access Festival in the RRCD

Over the past few years, the tooth-rattling exploration of metal and noise music has evolved to include hip-hop, ambient sounds and more. oblivionaccessfestival.com.

June 14-15

Noah Kahan at Moody Center

The perfect gift for: Your twenty-something friend (or kid) who's recovering from a rough breakup.

Look, we've all been there. The "Stick Season" is tough. The breakout singer-songwriter from Vermont leans into his vulnerability with earnest lyricism and splices the angst with lively banjos. In the process, he captures the listlessness of feeling lost in your twenties in a way that feels deeply authentic. This cathartic singalong will not be cheap. A second show was added after the first one swiftly sold out. moodycenteratx.com

More: Noah Kahan is one of ACL Fest’s fastest-rising stars — here’s why he pulled a massive crowd

June 18

• Hauser at Bass Concert Hall

June 28

• Say Anything at Stubb’s BBQ

July 5

• Sarah McLachlan at Waterloo Park

July 12

• New Kids on the Block at Germania Insurance Amphitheater

July 17

• Tate McRae at Waterloo Park

July 20

• Benise at 3Ten

Aug. 3

• Niall Horan at Moody Center

Aug. 4

• O.A.R. with Fitz and the Tantrums at ACL Live

Aug. 30

• 30 Seconds to Mars at Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Sept. 10

• Green Day, Rancid, Linda Lindas at Germania Insurance Amphitheater

Sept. 11

• Peter Hook and the Light at Far Out Lounge

Sept. 12

• Keane at ACL Live

Sept. 13

• Mt. Joy at Moody Center

Oct. 4

• Los Temerarios at Moody Center

Oct. 4-6 and Oct. 11-13

Austin City Limits Music Festival

We don't know the lineup for the festival yet. That announcement generally comes in late April or early May. But the mega-fest — which draws 75,000 people daily to the crown jewel of Austin's park system — programs over 100 bands on nine stages each weekend. Early bird sales have closed, but watch the festival's social media sites for the next round of tickets. aclfestival.com

Nov. 15

• King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Germania Insurance Amphitheater

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Find last-minute tickets as gifts in our 2024 Austin concert guide