Experience Colin Hay and his Acoustic Band performing reimagined versions of Men At Work hits and Colin’s beloved solo classics in a stripped-down, acoustic setting.
FEATURING
THE FLAMING LIPS • THEE SACRED SOULS
THE BLACK ANGELS : 20TH ANNIVERSARY of PASSOVER
LA LOM • MELODY’S ECHO CHAMBER • DIIV • TY SEGALL • MOMMA • GLARE • NIGHT BEATS • TRISH TOLEDO • BOOGARINS • HOLY WAVE STARCLEANER REUNION • MONEY CHICHA
AND MANY MORE…
3 DAY PASSES and SINGLE DAY TICKETS available HERE.
Interview on Live and Local
Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Hosted by KRTU intern: Keira Cahill
Buttercup presents Send More Yellow, a double album packed with dynamic new songs that reveal the full spectrum of the band’s creative fire. KRTU student intern Keira Cahill had the opportunity to interview founding member, Erik Sanden, to discuss the creative process behind making the album and the longevity of the band.
Listen to a playback of the interview HERE.
Buttercup is a life-affirming art-rock band from San Antonio with hundreds of original songs to its name — music NPR calls “jangly art rock for the left side of the brain.” Since 2004, the band has released ten records and a documentary film, all while cultivating a fervent following through their singular live performances, which blur the lines between concert, visual art, and performance installation. As Glasstire puts it: “It’s an ever widening circle of love really: Sanden sparks something passionate in a stylishly casual way, Reyes and odie contribute a generosity of spirit (not even talking about their musical skills) that honestly makes the band a force for good in the world.”
By Caroline Landdeck
Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s (RKS) completely distinct tone and artistry is almost as diverse as the crowd that was gathered on October 13th, 2025 in downtown San Antonio. From the bearded old men and parents with small ear-protected kids in the balcony, to the teenagers, 20-somethings, and middle-aged millennials scattered between them and filling the floor below, everyone was collectively entranced by what was going on in front of them. As RKS entered the Aztec Theatre, the audience was completely enthralled by their captivating sound and visual effects that set an intimate and dynamic atmosphere, immersing fans almost as much as the band’s performance.
The opener, Jelani Aryeh, got the crowd pumped up with his lively stage presence and charisma that charmed and excited the audience for more to come. Similar to RKS’s multi-genre inspiration, the Gen-Z artist incorporates a modern alternative/indie pop sound with rock and R&B influences, leaning into experimental, upbeat sounds and passionate lyricism. The atmosphere Aryeh brought to the venue led perfectly into the RKS set and only heightened the already intense anticipation built up in the crowd.
After a short break that only stirred more excitement as roadies (stage/band technical crew) reset the stage, RKS finally made their entrance with their first song, “Hide.” The set that followed incorporated a diverse blend of their discography, with hits off their newest album, along with deep cuts and fan favorites off of even their oldest releases. The songs also varied drastically in style and sound with the band somehow seamlessly transitioning between each. As RKS has evolved in style, genre, and as individuals throughout the past 12 years of performing, their sound and energy still retains their indie-rock and indie-folk soul, with their newer music leaning into more synth and electronic elements. They have also perfected a way of incorporating their music and performance with visual effects that allow more opportunity for artist intention, therefore delivering a heightened experience of the music for the audience. The lead singer, Ela Melo, is the major contributor to this effect as she danced around the stage and interacted with the audience and other band members, using her body movements as its own visual effect. She ran to the red light emanating from the corner of the stage, reaching out toward it at the end of “Devil Like Me” as she finished singing “What do you want from a devil like me? Am I like you?” She depicts other visual representations of lyrics throughout the show such as her dramatically collapsing like a doll and even more generally just matching the tone of the songs by jumping up and down with the crowd during energetic moments, and sitting on the stage stairs for slower, more intimate songs. Although the rest of the band remains more stationary, they feed into her performance by playing back to back with each other and getting into the music as she does, especially as she comes around to sing with each of them.
The musical elements within each song contribute to this meaningful atmosphere as well, with big breaks of empty space and complex chord progressions that enable big drops and goosebump-inducing resolutions and refrains. Moments of isolated harmonies allow for a deep, more personal tone that touches the audience, while the stark transitions between built up repetition in lyrics with a quick high hat and big releases of simple back beats and large vocals, provides a more all-consuming effect as you are overwhelmed with the impact of the music.
The band felt very open and the tone of their performance and deep, personal lyrics seemed to create an all-inclusive community within the crowd. After sharing their intense gratitude to fans and supporters of RKS, the night wrapped up perfectly with the crowd singing along to “Freefall” under the glow of the Aztec Theatre lights.
By Gaby Nieraeth, KRTU Student Intern
As retro-inspired R&B groups seem to continually gain popularity, Durand Jones & The Indications (DJI) continue to carve out their distinct place within the genre. Rhythmic bass lines along with soaring falsettos from drummer Aaron Frazer, paired with the deeply-soulful vocals of Durand Jones transported the San Antonio audience at the Aztec Theater on September 15th. The sound didn’t quite throw back entirely to the 1970s nor exist fully in 2025, but instead lived in a unique in-between space.
Before DJI took the stage, The Psycodelics (Instagram: @thepsycodelics) had the crowd mesmerized by their high-energy funk infused set. As I looked out amongst the crowd, I saw a sea of heads bobbing along to the rhythm. Cheers rang out as bassist and lead vocalist Cameron ‘Caminator’ Wescott led the group into song after song. While you may be able to hear the heavy influence of the 1970s in their sound, in a 2023 article for the Charleston City Paper, Wescott noted that they pull influence from “...sounds and ideas musically from back in the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s - everything up until now - and put it all together. There’s no certain time period.”
After a short break, DJI (Instagram: @durandjonesandtheindications) took the stage to the rapturous cheers of an excited San Antonio crowd. Frazer proudly called the performance a “hometown show.” San Antonio was a key stop in the group’s early days, as Jones explained in a 2021 interview with Indianapolis Monthly that their first show in San Antonio marked the beginning of realizing the legacy they had tasked themselves with upholding and pushing forward. The show was transformative not only as a group for DJI, but for Jones, who now calls San Antonio home; “I immediately fell in love with San Antonio after that.”
That love was definitely reciprocated by the crowd at the Aztec Theater. The energy was absolutely electric, as lovers clung to each other, friends sang along, and strangers exchanged smiles. The setlist spanned their entire discography, from the 2016 debut album track “Is It Any Wonder?” to “Really Wanna Be With You” off their 2025 release Flowers. I was blown away by Frazer’s airy vocals, which created a dreamlike atmosphere. Jones’ voice was a powerhouse, and his stage presence was enchanting. He high-fived fans on the barricade and danced like no one was watching. One of the most moving moments came during “Love Will Work It Out”, with its promise that “joy will set us free if you so believe” and “don’t you ever doubt that love will work it out.” The song felt like a seed of hope and a reminder of love’s power in a deeply divided time.
From The Psycodelics’ high-energy funk to DJI’s smooth neo-soul, the night was a celebration of love, hope, and the timeless power of music.
Flood Relief Benefit Concert
Saturday, September 6, 2025
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The Hoppy Monk
Free Admission
Join KRTU for an evening of drinks, food, a silent auction and music by DJ JJ Lopez, Dylan Lee, Humiliation Ritual, and Collective Dreams. This event will raise awareness and support for Kerrville Pets Alive! and their efforts to help the animals affected by the Texas Hill Country floods.
Let's come together as a community and make a difference in the lives of these animals! Friendly pets on leash. are welcome to join their human companions on the patio.
Thank you to all who came out to support this event. Read a recap published in Trinity University’s news paper, Trinitonian.
KRTU lends a paw to Kerrville Pets Alive!
By Ivanna Bass Caldera
Kevin Kaarl filled the Majestic Theater with his sentimental lyrics and baritone voice, transcending the audience to the most vulnerable part of their minds. On August 28th, 2025, Kaarl performed in San Antonio as a part of his Ultra Sodade Tour.
His opener, Andrea Bejar, hooked the audience the moment she stepped out, her strong, smooth folk voice commanding the stage and her dark blue silk dress glistening under the overhead lights. She performed songs from her debut album Love Again. Even those unfamiliar with her music were inevitably drawn in by her vocal control and heartfelt lyrics.
As Kaarl and his band got in position on stage, the crowd cheered with enthusiasm, eager to hear him say anything. He stood in the middle of his set with his acoustic guitar, wearing his iconic jumpsuit that mechanics wear, with the name of his album embroidered on his left shoulder and a patch with his name on the right. The band began playing the beat to buscame otra vez, the crowd cheered in anticipation, and Kaarl captivated the audience with a strong vocal performance.
Kaarl delivered a well-thought-out concert; everything from the visuals projected onto the screen to the set the band stood on enhanced the stories told through his music. At the start of the performance, the visuals showed a winding road going down a rural landscape with a warm-colored tone. It felt like you were going on a journey with him to mend a broken heart, given that his latest album is about the emotional process one goes through when a relationship ends.
After a few songs, Kaarl spoke to the audience for the first time. He shared that he is from Meoqui, Chihuahua, and the crowd cheered with pride. For me, it was a heartwarming experience to hear the theater be filled with Spanish-speakers singing along to every one of his words. I didn’t attend the concert as a superfan – unlike many around me who clearly knew every word of every song. As someone less familiar with the full setlist, I occasionally found the acoustic, sorrowful tone of several songs to be somewhat repetitive. However, the reaction of those around me showed me how much these wistful anthems impacted their life. There is no doubt that Kaarl fans spiritually connect with his music. Although most of Kaarl’s melodies are melancholic, the audience exuded joy, swaying along to his band's rhythm, cheering each bandmate on as they played solos, and looking other audience members in the eyes as they shouted gut wrenching lyrics.
One of my favorite parts of the concert was when Kaarl began introducing the song the album is titled after, Ultra Sodade. He took the audience through a rollercoaster of emotions; first inspiring us with the journey he went through in writing this song – which involved learning about an artist from Cape Verde, Cesária Évora. He expressed his admiration for Évora, being inspired by her nostalgic tone to write this song and even use snippets from her Sodade song. After introducing the origin of the tune, he mentioned that the song features Mexican singer-songwriter Nsqk. The audience gasped with excitement because the way Kaarl said this led us to believe that Nsqk was there to perform with him. However, the crowd broke out in laughter after Kaarl said “unfortunately, Nsqk isn’t here with us,” in a humorous tone. Then, as he began to sing the song, the fans settled into the feeling of nostalgia that the song, as well as the album, is about.
Kaarl's concert was a peaceful experience. Since my family is from a town not too far from where Kaarl grew up, I felt pride in seeing someone from Chihuahua successfully pursue their artistic dreams. The audience left the concert with a mended heart and an unforgettable experience.
If you want to learn more about Kevin Kaarl, check out the playback of my Indie Without Borders radio show from August 20th, where I do a deep dive into Kaarl as an artist. You can also learn more about the artist who inspired the album's title, Cesária Évora, in the playback from August 27th.
Andrea Bejar @ Majestic Theatre
Kevin Kaarl @ Majestic Theatre
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
