What do Beyonce, Kenny Rogers, Barry White and Meghan Thee Stallion all have in common? Besides being huge musical stars, they all hail from Texas – a state with a rich musical heritage that for decades has produced some of the biggest, most exciting and diverse acts around.
Whatever your musical taste, Texas has you covered. A vibrant country music scene has birthed legends including Rogers, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. as well as recent stars like Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves. As for rock and roll, some say Texas is its birthplace, as Houston’s own Goree Carter released Rock Awhile – considered by many to be the first rock and roll single – in 1949. Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Janis Joplin also hail from the state. It’s also a hotbed for blues and R&B, while Houston has a world famous hip-hop scene, producing stars like Meghan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott (not to mention a certain Queen Bey).
That’s before we even get to the venues. From iconic dance halls, honky-tonks and clubs to amphitheatres and stadiums, this is a state that knows how to put on a great live show. But before you go ahead and book your plane ticket, you can get a taste of the state’s incredible music scene a little closer to home. This weekend, there’s a Texas takeover in the UK, as several of the Lone Star State’s most compelling acts hop across the pond – here are four of the must-see acts bringing a taste of the local music scene to venues and festivals in the UK this weekend...
A melting pot of Texas sounds
As part of an eight-week celebration of Texan music, food and drink, The Blues Kitchen is hosting Dallas band The Texas Gentlemen in Camden this Friday. This quintet is a collection of experienced session musicians who have performed with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, George Strait and Leon Bridges. “When you hear us play you’re hearing the influence of five different musicians working together as one unit,” says co-frontman Daniel Creamer. Expect classic 60s and 70s influenced sounds, mixed with funk, soul, R&B, southern rock and gospel – in other words, an irresistible melting pot of Texan sounds. You can get some great Texan grub to enjoy with it, too.
The Texas Gentlemen play The Blues Kitchen Camden on Friday 25th August.
A long tradition of musical stars
On Friday night, country fans can catch the Josh Abbott Band at London’s legendary 100 Club. The band – who released their debut album Scapegoat in 2008 and have collaborated with the likes of Kacey Musgraves – formed in Lubbock, a city with a storied musical history. Not only was it the birthplace of Buddy Holly, and hometown of musicians including Mac Davis and Natalie Maines of The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks), its also famous 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 Walk of Fame in the city to honour all its musical stars, with the Josh Abbott Band inducted in 2018.
The Josh Abbott Band play The 100 Club on Friday 25th August.
A contemporary take on country
Hailing from the Live Music Capital of the World® – Austin – Carson Mchone is a must-see— (Alamy)
To truly immerse yourself in the Texas scene, the Long Road Festival in Leicestershire, is a three day celebration of country, Americana and roots, where you’ll find several Texan acts, including the aforementioned The Josh Abbott Band as well as Joshua Ray Walker, the Eli Young Band and Carson Mchone. Singer-songwriter Mchone – who released her third album Still Life, in 2022, and offers a contemporary take on country music – hails from Austin, a city famous for its thriving music scene. The state’s capital is known as the Live Music Capital of the World® and hosts two huge annual festivals – Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, as well as being home to hundreds of live music venues. It’s a great place to spot new talent: Mchone began singing on the city’s stages when she was 16 years old.
Carson Mchone plays The Long Road Festival on Saturday 26th August.
A modern musical genius
One artist who needs no introduction is Erykah Badu. Since she first rose to fame in the 1990s, Badu has been one of the most exciting artists in R&B music – not that you can pin her down to one genre, as the musician is inspired by 70s funk and soul, 80s hip-hip, disco and jazz, among others. Born in Dallas, Badu got her big break in nearby Fort Worth opening a show for D’Angelo. Badu still spends a lot of time in her home city and recently concluded a US tour there. This Saturday, she plays at All Points East festival in London’s Victoria Park to remind a very lucky crowd of her brilliance.
Erykah Badu plays All Points East Festival on Saturday 26th August.
Find out more about the Taste of Texas events at The Blues Kitchen here. There’s also a chance of winning a trip for two to Texas in a city of your choice – find out how to enter here. For more information about the Texas music scene, click here to discover more . While for unforgettable travel ideas across the whole state, from road trips to nights out and great places to stay, visit Travel Texas.
