Braxton Keith
With a sound and style honed in the honky tonks of Texas and beyond, Braxton Keith is part of a new generation of country singer-songwriter – one leading a revival of its core creative tenants. Featuring an earnest love of the ‘80s country aesthetic – and all but addicted to the rush of the stage – Keith has spent the last few years of life as a proud road dog, schooling new fans of the timeless power of a revved up band and rich organic twang. But while his what-you-see-is-what-you-get approach remains firmly rooted in tradition, that doesn’t mean he’s staying put. This Warner Music Nashville newcomer lives one state line at a time. “I love the honky tonk country twang and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” the rising star explains. “But honestly, I’m just thinking about getting up and playing another show. This is just the beginning. This is where the hard work starts.” A proud Texas native who these days splits time between San Antonio and Nashville, Keith was born in Midland, Texas, steeped in country mystique. Learning to play piano from his grandmother – a woman who loved the Cadillac cool of stars like Porter Wagoner – he grew up singing, drawn like a magnet to the sonic storytelling of gritty tunes like “The Carroll County Accident” (an all-time family favorite). Diving deep into the pure-country form, Keith picked up a guitar and soon had a taste for hard twang and tales of the heart, writing his own classically-inspired songs in a grungy, cluttered garage. He never took it seriously until college, when a friend convinced the unknown-but-obvious talent to record one – just so he’d have something to share with his future kids. Leaving school behind to earn his place in Texas’ vibrant live-music scene, Keith and a band of brothers have now been touring nonstop since 2020, racking up untold miles and hundreds of floorboard-shaking shows. Blending throwback-tonk with a sharp, barbed-wire vocal recalling stars like Tracy Lawrence (plus a little borderland buzz of San Antonio Spanish influence), Keith became a regular face in venues all across his home state, and then looked beyond. Relentless nationwide touring and a series of self-released singles and EPs have helped build a solid social media following. He arrived in Nashville for the first time in 2021, and has since been fine- tuning his natural songwriting style – timeless tunes of love, loss and life steeped in the energy and attitude of a Texan dancehall, but made for a wider audience. Featured on taste-making playlists like Spotify’s New Boots and Breakout Country, Keith’s 2024 single “Cozy” leads the way for a new chapter, highlighting the rising star’s fresh take on a classic style. A silky-smooth two-step with an unmistakable vocal tone, the clever, co-written message of warning for a romantic rival sets Keith apart from the pack. More new music is planned for 2025 release, as Keith continues exploring the contours of a uniquely country sound and style. Merging past and present with the timeless edge of a band-leading troubadour, he’ll stay on the road, too, crossing time zones like he’s gliding across a honky tonk floor. “The touring never stops – especially for an artist like me,” he admits. “I hope people have a damn good time when they come out, and I hope the show was great. And if they pick up the record, I hope they get a taste of that.”
Julien Baker & TORRES
THE NEW OUTLAWS Listen: For some of us, maybe even most of us, it’s been a rough year. As I write these words, it’s mid-November in Chicago, the warmest autumn on record, and the bad news keeps coming. Family and animals and homes washed away in the rural south. A wildfire season that never ends. Too much water in some places, not enough in others. Back in my home state of Texas, pregnant people, some barely out of childhood, are dying for lack of medical care. And Lord have mercy if you, or someone you love, is an undocumented immigrant, or if you’re trans, queer, poor, Black, and the list goes on (and on and on). Sometimes it feels like the whole damned world has made up its mind to destroy itself once and for all. So I feel it in my bones when Julien Baker sings, That it can’t get much worse depends on who you’re askin. Maybe you feel it, too, and maybe you could use the good company of this much-anticipated country album by critically acclaimed artists Julien Baker & TORRES (aka Mackenzie Scott). Send A Prayer My Way has been in the works for years. Imagine two young musicians playing their first show together at Lincoln Hall, a much-loved venue here in Chicago. It’s January 15, 2016, and bone chillingly cold outside, especially for a couple of southerners. When the show is over and they’re shooting the shit, one singer says to the other, “We should make a country album.” This is the origin story and the beginning of a collaboration between two artists already admired for their spare, elegant lyrics as well as the courage to share their struggles with those who love their music. I’ll lay my cards on the table from the get-go: Send A Prayer My Way is a damn fine country album, written and sung in the best of the outlaw tradition—defiant, subversive, working class, and determined to wrestle not only with addiction, regret and bad decisions, but also with oppressive systems of power. These are songs about wrapping up a long shift and driving home bone tired, just hoping for a little weed and a quiet place to put your feet up; or falling off the wagon (again) and wondering if this time it will finally drag you under the wheels; or thinking that bad decisions are the only decisions you know how to make. Mercifully, this is only the beginning of the stories TORRES and Baker are determined to tell. Because these are also songs about radical empathy and second chances, and third chances, and while there’s plenty of struggle and regret in here, there’s also humor and defiance. There is clarity in time’s passage, at least sometimes, and whatever grace some of us can muster often comes from taking the irreverent, and much funnier, low road. And in this way, Send a Prayer My Way reminds me of Lucinda Williams’s Happy Woman Blues (1980), or Loretta Lynn singing about The Pill in 1975. So listen: Whatever your story—if you’ve been staying up late and sleeping in, dodging calls from old friends and wondering how many times you can break your own heart through every fault of your own; if you’ve been missing work, or skipping school, or blowing past deadlines like they’re four-way stop signs on the highway to hell; and most especially, if you’re feeling afraid for your life, or the lives of those you hold most dear—I hope you will find some comfort in these twelve songs. I hope you will put a little sugar in the tank and let these two singers love you all the way to hell and back. Because here’s the thing about going to hell and back: You came back. Elizabeth Wetmore
Pecos and the Rooftops
Pecos & The Rooftops have been perfecting a signature heavy blend of lowdown country and classic rock since their inception in a big five-bedroom house in Lubbock, Texas. Formed in 2019 by a tight-knit squad of college friends, the band outfits their soulful Americana with muscular guitar grit, yet remains tuneful and melodic. They’ve carved out a singular niche for themselves in the rich songwriting tradition of their home state, as evidenced by their debut Warner Records single “5AM.” Anchored by the heart-baring songwriting and booming voice of former Marine Pecos Hurley, the band is rounded out by top-tier players and songwriters Brandon Jones (rhythm guitar), Zack Foster (lead guitar), Kalen Davis (bass), Garrett Peltier (drums) and Hunter Cassell (guitars & keys). Big things have small beginnings. Pecos & The Rooftops chose their name—a nod to the part of the house they’d hang out, drink beers, and jam on—just before self-releasing their debut single, 2019’s slow-burning “This Damn Song.” It was a runaway success, earning an RIAA Platinum certification and going on to rack up more than 250 million streams globally. Deciding to ride the wave for as long as they could, the band hit the road directly after and haven’t stopped since, touring relentlessly on the club circuit and opening for the likes of rising country star Zach Bryan. They released the Red Eye EP in 2020, expanding on their already solid sound with more guitar heroics and more complex arrangements, hinting at jazz and psychedelic influences. Hurley has a gift for exploring the shadowy sides of life through his songwriting, offering a clear-eyed and unflinching look at heartbreak, disconnection, self-medication, and wrestling with dark times. On “5AM,” he’s stuck in a self-destructive pattern, trying to live up to the idea of being the man he wants to be, but thwarted on all sides by his own bad decisions. “Wish I could say that I saw it coming—problem is I never do,” Hurley sings over a gloomy guitar line. “It’s too late to let myself feel something, so I’ll just keep running from you.” “It’s about having a habit of going to the bar and getting drunk and staying up all night,” Hurley says from his home outside Dallas. “You kind of know that when you go to bed it’s probably not going to end well—because you fucked up again and you can’t get out of the cycle. It’s about being by yourself in the early hours of the morning. It’s just one of those ‘You fucked up’ songs.” Pecos & The Rooftops have earned a devoted fan base who’ve come out to support them both online and on the road, with the band garnering over 350 million global streams and more than 101 million video views. They’re currently on a nationwide headline tour with more dates to be announced soon. “5AM” is a telling preview of what’s to come, as Pecos & The Rooftops ready their major label debut LP—a bigger, bolder collection of songs set for release later this year. “At the end of the day, I just want to help people with our music, honestly,” Hurley says. Between the band’s wild road shows and their highly-anticipated upcoming full-length, Pecos & the Rooftops are set to do that and much, much more.
Paul Cauthen – CANCELED
Paul Cauthen is a true force of nature. His ability to captivate audiences with his soulful sound and larger-than-life personality has become lore amongst those that have witnessed it. Also doesn’t hurt to have a generational set of pipes to top it all off. Hailing from East Texas, Cauthen embodies the spirit of the Lone Star State, earning a reputation for doing things his own way. Born into a family of preachers, Cauthen’s upbringing heavily influences his deep-rooted connection to music. With a voice that resonates with raw emotion, he aims to transport listeners, inviting them on a journey through love, heartbreak, and the pursuit of personal freedom. Cauthen’s journey has been one of resilience, perseverance and sheer independence. Turning down major label deals at various points in his career, Cauthen has valued forging his own path and betting on himself over all else. With multiple releases this year including the genre bending Hometeam and raucous Wild Man, Cauthen has continued to explore new sonic territory fearlessly, while unapologetically defying expectations and creating music that resists categorization. As he embarks on the This Road I’m On Tour, his biggest headline tour to date, Cauthen brings his long time live band, the Hot Grease Fire, and a collection of hits and new tracks begging to be played for his hungry audiences. He also brings his trademark dance moves, so make sure you’re ready to get down if you come to a Paul Cauthen show.
Hudson Westbrook
Hudson Westbrook, a Lone Star State native from Stephenville, Texas, is not your typical country music artist. As a Texas Tech student, he discovered his passion for music at the age of 15 and began writing his own songs less than a year ago. His debut track, “Take It Slow,” is a testament to his unique style, blending infectious melodies with a modern yet sentimental touch. This distinctive sound garnered over 1.2 million on-demand stream streams in its first week and has 28,000 fan-generated TikToks using the sound to date. This led to selling out 1800 tickets in 48 hours for his first big show in Texas. With his undeniable talent and refreshing approach to country music, Hudson Westbrook is poised to make a significant impact on the music scene.
Niko Moon
Chart-topping country artist NIKO MOON is all about making people feel-good with his positive vibes and tunes. His first single “Good Time” went #1 on country radio and his other hits continue to climb the charts as he releases more music. His upcoming album, Better Days, is set to release January 19th nationwide. Beyond being a solo act, Moon, a SESAC country songwriter of the year, has written eight #1 songs and over 40 major record label cuts for artists such as Morgan Wallen, Avicii, Dierks Bentley, Pitbull, Zac Brown Band, Rascal Flatts and more. He is also the founder of the “Happy Cowboy Foundation”, a 501c3 nonprofit. http://nikomoon.com
Morgan Wade
$32.50 ADV / $38 DOS / $69.50 BALCONYLocal Presale: Wednesday, April 17th at 10 AM CSTPublic On Sale: Friday, April 19th, at 10 AM CST2AM In London Meet & Greet Experience One Premium Reserved -OR- General Admission Ticket Meet & Greet And Personal Photo With Morgan Wade Intimate pre-show performance by Morgan Wade Q&A session with Morgan Morgan Wade Merchandise Item – Exclusive To Meet & Greet Packages Limited Edition Tour Poster Specially Designed Morgan Wade Tote Bag Commemorative VIP Laminate, Signed By Morgan Wade Pre-Show Merchandise Shopping Opportunity Venue First Entry (where applicable) Obsessed Pre-Show Experience One Premium Reserved -OR- General Admission Ticket Intimate pre-show performance by Morgan Wade Q&A session with Morgan Group Photo with Morgan Wade Limited Edition Tour Poster Specially Designed Morgan Wade Tote Bag Commemorative VIP Laminate, Signed By Morgan Wade Pre-Show Merchandise Shopping Opportunity Venue First Entry (where applicable)
Orville Peck – MOVED TO THE ASTRO
Sierra Ferrell
With her spellbinding voice and time-bending sensibilities, Sierra Ferrell makes music that’s as fantastically vagabond as the artist herself. Growing up in small-town West Virginia, the singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist left home in her early 20s to journey across the country with a troupe of nomadic musicians, playing everywhere from truck stops to alleyways to freight-train boxcars speeding […]
Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
