Bucket-list gigs: tap into the Texas music scene in the UK with these must-see acts

What do Beyonce, Kenny Rogers, Barry White and Meghan Thee Stallion all have in widespread? In addition to being large musical stars, all of them hail from Texas – a state with a wealthy musical heritage that for many years has produced a few of the largest, most fun and numerous acts round.

No matter your musical style, Texas has you lined. A vibrant nation music scene has birthed legends together with Rogers, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. in addition to latest stars like Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves. As for rock and roll, some say Texas is its birthplace, as Houston’s personal Goree Carter launched Rock Awhile – thought-about by many to be the first rock and roll single – in 1949. Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Janis Joplin additionally hail from the state. It’s additionally a hotbed for blues and R&B, whereas Houston has a world well-known hip-hop scene, producing stars like Meghan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott (to not point out a sure Queen Bey).

That’s earlier than we even get to the venues. From iconic dance halls, honky-tonks and golf equipment to amphitheatres and stadiums, it is a state that is aware of tips on how to placed on an awesome dwell present. However earlier than you go forward and e-book your aircraft ticket, you will get a style of the state’s unimaginable music scene somewhat nearer to residence. This weekend, there’s a Texas takeover in the UK, as a number of of the Lone Star State’s most compelling acts hop throughout the pond – listed here are 4 of the must-see acts bringing a style of the native music scene to venues and festivals in the UK this weekend…

A melting pot of Texas sounds

As a part of an eight-week celebration of Texan music, food and drinks, The Blues Kitchen is internet hosting Dallas band The Texas Gents in Camden this Friday. This quintet is a group of skilled session musicians who’ve carried out with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, George Strait and Leon Bridges. “If you hear us play you’re listening to the affect of 5 totally different musicians working collectively as one unit,” says co-frontman Daniel Creamer. Anticipate traditional 60s and 70s influenced sounds, blended with funk, soul, R&B, southern rock and gospel – in different phrases, an irresistible melting pot of Texan sounds. You will get some nice Texan grub to take pleasure in with it, too.

The Texas Gents play The Blues Kitchen Camden on Friday twenty fifth August.

An extended custom of musical stars

On Friday night time, nation followers can catch the Josh Abbott Band at London’s legendary 100 Membership. The band – who launched their debut album Scapegoat in 2008 and have collaborated with the likes of Kacey Musgraves – shaped in Lubbock, a metropolis with a storied musical historical past. Not solely was it the birthplace of Buddy Holly, and hometown of musicians together with Mac Davis and Natalie Maines of The Chicks (previously The Dixie Chicks), its additionally well-known for its “music mafia” – which included the likes of Terry Allen, Jo Harvey Allen, Joe Ely and The Maines Brothers. There’s even a West Texas Stroll of Fame in the metropolis to honour all its musical stars, with the Josh Abbott Band inducted in 2018.

The Josh Abbott Band play The 100 Membership on Friday twenty fifth August.

A up to date tackle nation

To really immerse your self in the Texas scene, the Lengthy Highway Pageant in Leicestershire, is a 3 day celebration of nation, Americana and roots, the place you’ll discover a number of Texan acts, together with the aforementioned The Josh Abbott Band in addition to Joshua Ray Walker, the Eli Younger Band and Carson Mchone. Singer-songwriter Mchone – who launched her third album Nonetheless Life, in 2022, and presents a recent tackle nation music – hails from Austin, a metropolis well-known for its thriving music scene. The state’s capital is called the Reside Music Capital of the World® and hosts two large annual festivals – Austin Metropolis Limits and South by Southwest, in addition to being residence to a whole bunch of dwell music venues. It’s an awesome place to identify new expertise: Mchone started singing on the metropolis’s phases when she was 16 years previous.

Carson Mchone performs The Lengthy Highway Pageant on Saturday twenty sixth August.

A contemporary musical genius

One artist who wants no introduction is Erykah Badu. Since she first rose to fame in the Nineteen Nineties, Badu has been one in every of the most fun artists in R&B music – not you can pin her down to at least one style, as the musician is impressed by 70s funk and soul, 80s hip-hip, disco and jazz, amongst others. Born in Dallas, Badu obtained her large break in close by Fort Value opening a present for D’Angelo. Badu nonetheless spends lots of time in her residence metropolis and just lately concluded a US tour there. This Saturday, she performs at All Factors East competition in London’s Victoria Park to remind a really fortunate crowd of her brilliance.

Erykah Badu performs All Factors East Pageant on Saturday twenty sixth August.

Discover out extra about the Style of Texas occasions at The Blues Kitchen here. There’s additionally an opportunity of successful a visit for 2 to Texas in a metropolis of your alternative – learn the way to enter here. For extra details about the Texas music scene, click on here to find extra . Whereas for unforgettable journey concepts throughout the complete state, from street journeys to nights out and nice locations to remain, go to Travel Texas.