LEVITATION 2025 will bring an epic 4-day weekend of music and art to the Palmer Events Center + Downtown clubs and late-night shows down on Red River! 3 Day and Single Day Passes Available. Click HERE for more information!
Singer, songwriter, music producer, visual artist, and writer Neko Case is the consummate career artist — fearless and versatile, with a fierce work ethic and a constant drive to search deeper within herself for creative growth. “One of America's best and most ambitious singer-songwriters" (Rolling Stone) and “essentially peerless” (NPR), Case has long been revered as one of music’s most influential artists, whose authenticity, lyrical storytelling, and sly wit have endeared her to a legion of critics, musicians, and lifelong fans. In addition to numerous acclaimed and GRAMMY-nominated solo records, Case is a founding member of Canadian supergroup The New Pornographers. She is the author of The New York Times bestselling memoir 'The Harder I Fight the More I Love You' and the weekly Substack newsletter ‘Entering The Lung,’ and is currently composing the musical theater adaptation of the Academy Award-winning motion picture 'Thelma & Louise.'
$1 from every ticket will go to Peer Solutions and support their positive youth leadership and development program designed to prevent harm before it begins and engage lifetime ambassadors of positive change (www.peersolutions.org).
Purchase Tickets HERE
On Thursday, April 17th, community members gathered for the third annual KRTUfest, hosted at The Carver Community Cultural Center (Instagram: @thecarversa). The space offered a festival-like atmosphere where attendees browsed local art vendors, grabbed yummy bites from a food truck, and danced along to groovy music coming from an outdoor DJ booth, as well as live performances inside the Little Carver Theater.
As doors opened, JJ Lopez, respected DJ and KRTU General Manager, known for his seamless blending of Soul, Funk, Disco, and House, welcomed the crowd with an all-vinyl set that perfectly set the tone for KRTUfest. His narrative and explorational set, JJ’s Balearic Beat, pulled influence from the sounds of the 1980s UK Rave Culture, its evolution in the Mediterranean, and Lopez’s own early rave experiences. As the sun slowly sank, concert-goers created an impromptu dance floor, filling the space with rhythm and funky dance moves.
Inside the Little Carver Theater, live performances began with Sundazia (Instagram: @sundazia), a group made up entirely of Trinity University students. Led by KRTU Intern and on-air host Will Sharp, the group opened the night with jazzy covers of popular songs, as well as experimental original tracks. The Slydes (Instagram: @the.slydes) brought a burst of high-energy alternative rock. With crisp guitar tones, upbeat tempos, and raw vocals, the group hyped up the crowd and had attendees jamming. Following The Slydes, Soma Jerome (Instagram: @somajerome) took the stage with a catchy psychedelic indie rock set. The group even played a surprise reggae-inspired track that had the crowd bobbing their heads along in rhythm.
Closing off the night was Collective Dreams (Instagram: @collectivedreams), whose instrumental-heavy set offered a hypnotic, immersive experience, and featured Live and Local host Albert Salinas. The crowd was entranced by sweeping ambient sounds, accompanied by mesmerizing visuals. Towards the end of their set, the group passed out maracas and shakers, inviting attendees to join their performance.
KRTUfest 2025 was more than just a concert, but rather a celebration of community, connection, and culture. From raw vocals to psychedelic guitars, the night captured the distinct and vibrant essence of San Antonio’s Indie music culture. See you on the dance floor in 2026.
MEN I TRUST – Equus North American Tour
Coming to Boeing Center at Tech Port on August 25, 2025
Get ready for an unforgettable night with Men I Trust as they bring their Equus North American Tour to San Antonio on August 25! Known for their hypnotic melodies, lush dream-pop soundscapes, and mesmerizing live performances, the Canadian indie trio—Emma Proulx, Jessy Caron, and Dragos Chiriac—delivers an intimate yet electrifying musical experience.
Doors open at 7:00pm. This event welcomes all ages.
THIS SHOW IS GENERAL ADMISSION FLOOR ONLY
By Angelina D’Elia
The first annual YARfest took place in Round Rock, Texas, earlier this year, and two of our interns were lucky enough to snag media passes for the event.
Produced by 1214 Entertainment, Y-A-R stands for Young Asians Represent, and their mission is to celebrate a new era of independent Asian artists, highlighting Asian culture and talent in Texas and the United States as a whole.
“In Texas we have a lot of culture communities, but we’re kind of in our own bubble,” said 1214 Entertainment co-founder Echo Yan. “And what is the easiest way for people to talk and get into contact with each other? Through music. In music, there is no language barrier— it breaks the boundary.”
The two-day festival showcased dozens of local ATX artists such as AZXO, Francene Rouelle, Kid Keith, Lava Hong, Maru Haru, promqueen, The Dropouts, Tiger He, and Tyler Kole, along with national and international headliners, including Justin Park, KIRE, the North Star Boys, REI AMI, sunkis, and Tiffany Day.
“I get so excited whenever I see an Asian musician, because I feel like there’s not a lot in mainstream media… I think particularly in entertainment a lot of Asian artists aren’t encouraged to pursue a career in art because it’s not a ‘standard career,’” explained JONAVI, an R&B artist from Dallas, Texas. “But it’s so inspiring to me, and I hope that when people see me doing this they get inspired to pursue it as well.”
Not only did YARfest promote local and Asian musicians, but they took care to support other local AAPI businesses, as well. Featuring a vibrant night market and dozens of local restaurants and businesses, this festival had everything covered, and we would highly recommend checking them out next year for the chance to support local music and experience a thoroughly well-planned music festival.
“It was super impressive for such a new festival,” KRTU intern Matthew Miller reflected, “It was really the quality of a much more established festival like ACL, but with a more intimate crowd. I would definitely love to go again.”
For the full festival review and more artist interviews, check out our video on YouTube!
A special thank you to Trinity University alumni Martin Li, head of PR at 1214, for the incredible opportunity to attend.
By Sabrina Enriquez
Briston Maroney, an indie pop artist, has been making music since 2017. His debut album, however, Sunflower was released in 2021. It was his hit single, “Freakin’ Out On the Interstate,” from his 2018 EP, that vaulted him into the spotlight. Before all of this, however, Briston was a contestant on the popular show American Idol. At only 15, Briston competed on the show, showing off his impressive vocals at such a young age. Since then, Briston has gone on to release two albums that have quintessential indie pop anthems.
Briston performed in San Antonio on October 14th at Stable Hall. Annie DiRusso opened up the show, with a high energy show. Her performance was a perfect beginning for the night. She sang some of her top hits like “Coming Soon,” “Legs,” and “Wet.” She had previously opened up for artists like Declan Mckenna and Sara Kays, so I knew her music would deliver the perfect indie vibe. Her fun and energetic performance helped get the crowd ready for the night. Her music was a great mix of pop, rock, and some folk. As she exited the stage, after plenty of jumping, dancing, and singing, the crowd was energized and ready for Briston.
As Briston stepped onto the stage, a haze of smoke followed him onto the center. The opening chords for his song “Body,” began and the crowd immediately began singing along. Throughout his entire set, the crowd sang along to his heartfelt lyrics. Briston even went on to play a brand new unreleased song, “Real Good Swimmer.” Briston, of course, sang his most popular songs like “Freakin’ Out On the Interstate,” “Small Talk,” “Caroline,” and “June.” Through each song, you could see the love and passion Briston has for his music. When he wasn’t singing he was interacting with the audience, creating a genuine atmosphere. At the end of the show, he even decided to stay and speak with fans. He went around signing merch and taking photos.
At the end of the night, I knew Briston’s music would be on repeat for the rest of the week. His live performance was captivating and he had everyone in the audience mesmerized. His stage presence made each song feel intimate and memorable. Briston’s performance, along with Annie’s, made the night truly unforgettable, leaving the audience buzzing with energy and craving more of their infectious melodies.
CONCERT REVIEW: A Divergent Double Header: Eliza McLamb and Zack Fox
By Parker Parent
On a fateful Saturday night I found myself at the Paper Tiger not knowing what to expect, having come here for both shows, which seemed to be polar opposites. With Eliza McLamb in the side room and Zack Fox in the main, there was a clear division between the indie folk audience of McLamb and the party-ready Zack Fox crowd. However, with both having a younger audience demographic and songs known for their TikTok virality, I knew there would be bridges connecting them still.
Even before the doors for Zack Fox opened, the Eliza McLamb show was in full swing, with Mei Semones opening up to a chill vibe that felt very intimate with half the crowd still locked out, listening in from afar. Semones brought an interesting mix of folksy and bossa nova vibes to the room, with live vocals that rivaled the album recording. Alongside a standup bass that brought with it some really unique sounds as a great substitute for a bass guitar. Semones herself got in on the fun with some very groovy guitar riffs. With doors opened and some members of the opposite audience listening in, Eliza McLamb began her show. McLamb brought more grit to this performance than I’d expected, still, seeing that her songs really lean into emotion this wasn’t necessarily surprising. The performance felt very genuine and personal, with the added ambiance of house music vaguely playing in the background, which in my opinion actually enhanced the performance. Making it feel like an intimate side room to a larger party, one you might retreat to for melancholic reflection between high energy house mixes.
This separate, high energy party boasted a stacked line up with 2 of the 3 DJs having performed at a Boiler Room set. DJ lzrcat opened and closed the show, leading with house mixes that left people bobbing their heads and scrunching their faces. I thought he did an especially good job at avoiding lulls in the music. I do find that live DJ sets often suffer from moments of pause where the audience finds themselves just waiting for the next move, this was not the case with lzrcat. Next up was Babiboi, who managed to maintain the energy and even bring up the BPM a bit, including much more “club” music, ultimately leading to more jumping and yelling from the crowd. She properly hyped up the crowd, often addressing them with a live microphone, teeing Zack Fox up for a great set. The crowd got very excited when Zack Fox showed up, unsurprisingly, as an Abbott Elementary staple and internet comedy/DJing phenomenon, he entered with a trapper hat on and good vibes aplenty. His set went on until just past midnight with the energy maintained throughout. I was excited to hear his gospel-focused mixes which always feel fresh and unique. As someone with a big DJ pet peeve, that being DJs who simply transition from song to song without adding anything more. So, let me say that these DJs go well beyond that, they were properly mixing these songs, and doing it well.
Even with two fairly different concert experiences for one night, what brought them together was the high quality of all performances. Any of which I would recommend attending if you get the chance.
Eliza McLamb
By Sabrina Enriquez
On September 24th, I had the incredible opportunity to see Silversun Pickups, an indie rock band hailing from Los Angeles, live at the Aztec Theatre. Since their formation in 2000, the band comprising of Brian Aubert, Nikki Monninger, Christopher Guanlao, and Joe Lester, have captivated audiences with their unique blend of dreamy melodies and explosive energy. The band has seven album to their name, including their latest release, Physical Thrills.
The show kicked off with a fantastic performance by Speedy Ortiz, whose lead singer, Sadie Dupuis, charmed the audience with her commentary on the theater's ghostly past. Their lively set energized the crowd and created the perfect atmosphere for the Silversun Pickups. The audience, filled with a mix of young and older members, were buzzing with anticipation, waiting for the band to come out.
As Silversun Pickups took the stage, the excitement in the room was palpable. The lights dimmed, and a red glow bathed the venue, as fog curled around the band members, who emerged to a low, rumbling bass line. This cinematic entrance perfectly set the tone for what was to come. Their moody, ethereal, and dreamy sound filled the theater song after song. Between tracks, the band kept the audience entertained with jokes and even encouraged everyone to snap along, creating an interactive experience. Despite having only heard a few of their songs prior to the concert, I found myself completely enthralled and eager to explore more of their music. Their encore performance definitely left the audience buzzing, creating an unforgettable performance. As I left the theater, I immediately went home and listened to their older songs. Silversun Pickups and Speedy Ortiz both helped to create a night that will remain etched in my memory.
Review by: Alejandra Cordero Torres
Michael Thomas and Orlando Torres’ Music for Listeners radio show celebrated its 25th anniversary on Saturday, September 14th with a special indie concert in Laurie Auditorium on Trinity University's campus. To mark the occasion, the hosts curated an exciting lineup featuring local favorites Buttercup, Blushing, and Voxtrot. The event drew a vibrant crowd of indie music lovers from across San Antonio.
Each band delivered energetic performances, with Buttercup, Blushing, and Voxtrot showcasing their distinct sounds, creating a dynamic atmosphere throughout the night. Between songs, the musicians expressed their gratitude to Michael and Orlando, thanking them for years of support through Music for Listeners and for the opportunity to perform at such a milestone celebration.
As Voxtrot closed the show, the audience flooded toward the stage, dancing and singing along, creating a sense of connection and community. The concert brought together long-time listeners who have supported the radio show since its inception, alongside a new generation of fans passionate about indie music and San Antonio’s local music scene. The evening embodied the amazing spirit of Music for Listeners, celebrating 25 years of championing indie music.
The Music for Listeners anniversary celebration continues on Saturday, October 5th at the Lonesome Rose for an evening of live by music by Cactus Lee, Native Harrow, and Sentimental Family Band. Admission $10 at the door - 21+
KRTU would like to thank the following sponsors for their support and dedication to supporting local music, education, and community radio: Southtown Vinyl, Joan Kearl and Barbaro.
