The Chinese zodiac says that 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, is a time for courage, ambition, and a fast-paced approach to seizing opportunities. As we finish off January, you can seize the great music hitting stages across town and streaming platforms everywhere.
The good times get rolling 4pm Sat at Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798). The Near Southside venue will be rocking with some ’90s giants and more. The Smithereens, The Nixons, and Deep Blue Something are headlining the fifth annual Not Stock Fest, Tulips’ answer to the annual Stock Show and Rodeo taking over most of town this month. Local openers include indie-rockers Olive Vox, punks Hen & The Cocks and Tonya & The Hardings, and smoothy Cavono. Tickets start at $94.52.
Nearby on the same day, Fragile Rock brings its puppetry and emo-rock from Austin to The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_FTW). Dead Milkmen tribute act Beelzebubbas and Chaos Queens frontperson Jess Xtine will open. Tickets are $10 cash at the door.
Whatever you’re doing next Wednesday, Jan 28, you gotta hit up the Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616), where some of the most promising indie-rock and punk acts in all of North Texas are playing a free show. Headliners Heavy Petal will be preceded by Phantomelo, Primo Danger, and Deadweek. And did we mention it’s free? (We did. Just testing you.)
A long-time rootsy, proggy singer-songwriter has started a new residency. Daniel Katsük will perform 8:30pm-11:30pm Wednesdays at the Sterling Lounge (911 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817 602-1703). Expect to get trippy-dippy and more than a little political. No cover.
And Stephy Nicole Hüffstutler has been busy. Co-founder of Scorned Productions, she and her all-femme/queer punk outfits Yändere and Ball & Chain have new material and shows coming up, plus a new venue. Tokey’s will open Saturday at 1807 N Elm St in Denton with a bill that includes hardcore punk/metal groups Gemini, Atomic Youth, Cloudvase, Yändere, and Avery Jade. Tickets are $5. Sunday night at Rubber Gloves (411 E Sycamore St, Denton, 940-514-0675), Ball & Chain will perform Sunday as part of a demo-album release party with Concrete Cage, Force of Will, and Opium Den. Tickets are $10.
From the studio and … the roller rink: Indie-rockers Henry the Archer celebrated the release of their new single “Okami” with a performance on the rink at Silver Wheels Skating Center. The Westside spot hosts live music Thursday nights, and crowds are cramming inside for these BYOB parties. The new track was produced by frontman Henry O, mixed by Peter Wierenga (Denver Williams, Kinsley August), and mastered by Todd Pipes (Deep Blue Something, DJ Shadow, Drowning Pool). Skate away.
Photo by Will Von Bolton, design by Henry O
