It’s a double dose of Wild Child this weekend with two shows coming up:

-The track “Think It Over” on today’s Austin Music Minute is from their album Expectations, but did you know Wild Child has a new EP coming out? They’re celebrating with a release show Saturday, October 24, at Empire Control Room, 606 E. 7th St. The bill includes the fantastic “Authentic Essence” soul experience, Lunar Rae, and melodic artiste extraordinaire Dancy Jenkins. The show kicks off at 7 p.m. Seating is limited, and masks are required.

-Then it’s time for a stripped-down Wild Child acoustic set at Love and Lightstream Drive-In on Sunday, October 25, at 8:30 p.m. The entire line-up is a winner, featuring Matthew Logan Vasquez (7 p.m.), The Deer (5:30 p.m.), Ley Line (4 p.m.) and Altamesa (2:30 p.m.). Proceeds benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) and Black Fret.

-Photo of Wild Child courtesy of the artist.

The track you heard on today’s Austin Music Minute may have sounded a bit familiar, and with good reason. It’s a wonderful tribute, from one red headed stranger to another – though they may not be strangers to you.

Walker Lukens has recorded a few of Willie Nelson’s best-known hits and a few deep cuts for his new release Red Headed Strangers, described by Lukens as a reimagining of Nelson’s work. And proceeds from the album sales benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM).

Join Walker Lukens for the release party at a limited capacity socially-distanced show, 6 p.m. Thursday October 22, at Central Machine Works, 4824 E. Cesar Chavez. The line-up features performances by Kalu James, Stiletto Feels and Sydney Wright.

-Artwork courtesy of Walker Lukens.

These are the stars you’ll see tonight, with the perfect rooftop POV. 3rd and Lamar Media crushes it again with their virtual event, 3rd and Lamar’s Rooftop Live. The crew brings the rooftop party directly to you with electro-pop artist DOSSEY, Jonathan Horstmann’s electro/synthwave project Urban Heat (featured on today’s AMM), and electronic composer and musician No Nostalgia.

The roof’s where it’s at. See them perform on Rooftop Live, starting at 8 p.m. (Central) tonight, Saturday October 17, on 3rd and Lamar’s website, Facebook and YouTube channel.

-DOSSEY photo by Moyo Oyelota; Urban Heat courtesy of the band; photo of No Nostalgia by Jacob Stern.

It is a full-on crisis. And, in no uncertain terms, it’s the rapid dismantling of the “Live Music Capital of the World” as we know it.

Similarly to many cities across the country, Austin has lost music venues as a result of the financial strains due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Though Austin City Council recently allocated $5 million for venue preservation, many local venues continue to lose revenue at a rapid rate, and will most likely close permanently unless assistance is provided.

This weekend, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is hosting the three-day virtual music festival Save Our Stages to raise donations in support of venues across the country, and to raise awareness of the calamitous losses that these venue closures lead to. And to further drive the point home, S.O.S. is featuring incredible talent on each line-up in a huge call to action, including the artists mentioned on today’s AMM: Cautious Clay, Phoebe Bridgers, Brittany Howard (featured on today’s AMM), Foo Fighters, Leon Bridges, Black Pumas, Nathaniel Rateliff, Portugal the Man and many more.

The bill also includes Rise Against, The Roots, Miley Cyrus, and Reba McEntire rallying to the cause. Something here should give one an idea of the magnitude and urgency of this situation.

S.O.S. kicks off at 7 p.m. (Central) tonight, Friday October 16, on the NIVA YouTube channel. And here in the ATX, Empire Control Room, 606 E. 7th, will host a Save Our Stages outdoor watch party in support of its own reopening efforts.

You can find details and this weekend’s set times at the Save Our Stages website.

Two massive, badass bands in one night, and for a good cause? Let’s do this.

It’s The Lounge Series at ACL Live, continuing this week with a spectacular double-header including nine-piece psych-funk outfit Brownout and R&B/soul group Nané. It’s a benefit show supporting local non-profit Black Fret, which raises funds for local musicians.

You can catch The Lounge Series tomorrow night, Friday October 16, at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, 310 Willie Nelson Blvd. Please note that seating is very limited for your safety, and masks are mandatory. Find all the show details, safety protocol and ticket information on ACL’s website.

-Photo of Brownout courtesy of the artist.