It’s the middle of the month of February. That means that Valentine’s Day is right around the bend. What’s more, this year the lover’s holiday happens to fall right at the beginning of the fabled weekend.That means there are plenty of shows to check out in Albuquerque’s thriving live music scene. From rock, to hip-hop and from country and Latinx music, the musical flavors available to local listeners is diverse and just waiting for your participation.With that in mind, here are Weekly Alibi’s picks for the concerts that one should definitely show up for.
Show Up!: Thursday Part I
Felix y Los Gatos have a gig on Thursday night, Feb. 13 at Canteen Brewhouse (2381 Aztec Rd. NE). If you haven’t heard this uniquely New Mexican band, this is your opportunity to learn what other Burqueños already know. The group plays a variety of hybridized Americana that mixes Texas blues, Southern rock and most importantly, zydeco, into a musical melange that is by turns rowdy, danceable and sentimentally real. The band calls this type of music “Zydetejano Blues” and it has, over the years, built a fan base that is loyal and expansive. 6pm • Free • 21+.
Show Up!: Thursday Part Ii
The Dangerous Waters Tour, featuring DJ and electro wizard Sam Vogel—who is far better known by his stage name of Jauz—comes to The Stage at Santa Ana Star Casino (54 Jemez Dam Rd., Bernalillo, N.M.) on Thursday, Feb. 13. Jauz, an up-and-coming EDM artist, creates musical landscapes that one dances to; his favorite genres are known as trap, house, dubstep and future bass. The sound is all-consuming; loud and deeply and provocatively rhythmic. It’s also great fun to dance to while lights and lasers spin listeners into another world. The DJs known as Habstrakt and Tynan provide support, so get ready to dance the night away. 9pm • $35-$75 • 21+.
Show Up!: Friday Part I
Tractor Brewing (118 Tulane Dr. SE) presents an event called EX-orcism on Friday, Feb. 14, just in time for Valentine’s Day. This special concert is all about the end of the affair; breakup songs will be featured. Casey Mráz and Los Metamorforos are headlining the event. Los Metamorfos is a self-described “psychedelic world fusion” band led by Mráz, a composer and songwriter who blends jazz, blues and Latinx musical aesthetics into a sound that also features flaming riffs and spicy accordion solos. Throw in some cool cumbia and listeners will be all set to forget the past and embrace a stunningly rhythmic future. 8pm • Free • 21+.
Show Up!: Friday Part Ii
Meanwhile, over at Tractor Brewing Wells Park (1800 Fourth Street NW), there will be a gathering called Bitterfest 2020: Love Bites, Dogs Don’t, happening on Friday, Feb. 14. Concertgoers are urged to bring their mutts and settle in at the venue’s dog-friendly patio to listen to the best in local live music featuring Stem Ivory, Rainbow Danger and Moonhat. Proceeds for this soulful revisioning of romantic priorities benefit the local animal rescue heroes at Babes & Bullies. Merchandise supporting this excellent Albuquerque non-profit will be available for consumption as well. 8pm • $5 • All-ages.
Show Up!: Saturday Part I
On Saturday, Feb. 15, there will be a huge rock music concert at Moonlight Lounge (120 Central Ave. SW). This small venue, a former jewelry store, has developed into one of The Duke City’s most potent live music venues of late, and the lineup for this special post-Valentine’s Day dance adds to the joint’s reputation. How’s this for a stellar, all local lineup: Local rock gods SuperGiant are at the top of the bill. They will be joined live and onstage by The Talking Hours as well as Burque’s funkiest punk outfit, Constant Harmony. Newcomers Timestable open this Saturday night rockfest. 9pm • $8 • 21+.
Show Up!: Saturday Part Ii
Lorenzo Antonio and Al Hurricane Jr. have a gig on Saturday, Feb. 15 at Route 66 Casino’s Legends Theater (14500 Central Ave. SW). It’s all part of a Sweethearts Dance that night at the big and luxurious music venue on the edge of Albuquerque, just beyond Nine Mile Hill. This concert of pure New Mexican music also features longtime contributors to the scene, including Española’s pride, the Blue Ventures, and Cuarenta Y Cinco, a popular traditional ensemble that is known for embracing a variety of genres from country to cumbia, from rock to rancheras. 8pm • $45 • All-ages.
