5 Acts to Catch During Free Week

Despite featuring more than 80 emerging acts, Free Week remains one of Austin’s most low-key music festivals. Launched in 2003 by the team behind Emo’s, the early-January event was created to counter a post-holiday slowdown in concert attendance — and it stuck.

Often overshadowed in a city synonymous with SXSW and Austin City Limits, Free Week has steadily grown into a multi-venue showcase. Today, the festival spans clubs throughout downtown’s Red River entertainment district and nearby neighborhoods.

In addition to live music, participating venues host food vendors offering event-week discounts, with more than a dozen stops located within walking distance.

Here are five acts we’re excited to see this year: 

Jet Cemetery

Jet Cemetery is an electronic project featuring local artists TaSzlin Trébuchet, also known for the project Fuck Money, and Lars Wolfshield of Wolfshield Records. The act fuses moody, synthy beats with airy, dreamlike vocals, shaping songs around ethereal textures and dystopian-tinged soundscapes. Fans of darkwave and atmospheric electronic music will find plenty to connect with in Jet Cemetery’s brooding, immersive sound. The duo’s debut LP, “The Canary,” will be available for purchase on vinyl at the show.

Playing: Friday, January 9, 10:15 p.m. at Elysium

Me Nd Adam

Formed by friends Vince Winik and Adam Walker, local duo Me Nd Adam blends Americana influences with modern alt-rock. The band has played major stages including Austin City Limits Music Festival and SXSW, and has opened for acts such as The Killers, Bob Schneider and Ghostland Observatory. On their latest album, “A Chain Reaction of Pointless Disasters,” the duo leans into story-driven songwriting and radio-ready hooks, a sound they describe as “Kings of Leon meets The Killers.”

Playing: Friday, January 9, 11 p.m. at Empire Garage

SKLOSS

Husband-and-wife musical duo SKLOSS — drummer Karen Skloss and guitarist Sandy Carson — formed the project during the COVID-19 lockdown and quickly carved out a reputation for towering, space-gaze performances built on heavy psych, drone and distortion. Their debut LP, “The Pattern Speaks,” was released in March 2025 on Fuzz Club Records, earning early support from BBC Radio 6 and Iggy Pop. Fans of loud, riff-heavy psych will feel at home here.

Playing: Friday, January 9, 12 a.m. at The 13th Floor

Los Coast

Austin five-piece Los Coast has built a reputation as a high-energy live band, centered on the elastic vocals of singer-guitarist Trey Privott and the guitar work of John Courtney. The group’s debut album, “Samsara,” leans into psychedelic pop-soul while moving through jazz, funk, garage rock and blues, often within the same groove. National outlets including Rolling Stone, NPR and the Associated Press have praised the record’s energy and range. The band built early momentum through a long-running residency at C-Boy’s and appearances at Austin City Limits Music Festival, later touring nationally with artists including Gary Clark Jr. and St. Paul & The Broken Bones.

Playing: Saturday, January 10, 10:30 p.m. at Empire Garage

The Bright Light Social Hour

Austin psychedelic rock band The Bright Light Social Hour has long been a fixture of the city’s music scene, earning six SXSW Austin Music Awards and appearing regularly on local festival lineups. Their latest album, “Emergency Leisure,” moves between dreamy pop, funk, soul and psychedelic rock. Expect a high-energy and explosive live performance from this local favorite.

Playing: Saturday, January 10, 11 p.m. at Mohawk (Outside)

Map Out Your Free Week Schedule

On January 9 & 10, performances will take place across the Red River Cultural District’s 14 live music venues and event spaces. Visit their website to view the full line-up by venue.