Colin Meloy stopped by La Zona Rosa on Monday night to play some intimate acoustic jams as part of his solo tour. Despite a head cold the Decemberist's lead singer/songwriter played a full set from both the band's catalog and his own, with a few covers (including Sam Cook) thrown in for good measure. Sipping on a glass of Cabernet (probably not the best thing for a cold) Meloy bantered cheerfully with the crowd, who supported him with sympathetic "awwwws" on cue and when he had to stop a couple of the songs due to fits of coughing or lyrical amnesia (its a good thing so many of his fans know the songs by heart, saving the final "Mariner's Revenge" with their sing-a-long). All in all the night proved that a supportive fan base can rescue a ship (or show) on the rocks and help a favorite artist deliver on the promise of the ticket price: a good time and a good show. ...

In support of his solo release, Colin Meloy Sings Live!, the Decemberists frontman is performing Monday night at La Zona Rosa. ...

The week after SXSW is tough. Everyone is behind on their work and buried in email and errands, all of the out-of-town visitors have headed back to cold climes, and nobody has it in them to head out for a show just yet. To combat the post-SX gloom, we've compiled a list of major concerts coming to Austin in the next 90 days. This is by no means comprehensive (check Showlist Austin for that), but merely a warning about great upcoming events that will likely sell out - indeed, two already have. So peruse the list, hit the appropriate ticket outlet (or Craigslist for Feist or The Cure), and get ready to continue to rock....

Hello Lovers -- Vanity Fair (Inchworm): If it is possible to musically capture a lovesick, misunderstood poet wailing and moping about drunkenly in a scummy apartment overlooking a dark and lonely city, Austin’s Hello Lovers have done it. In fact, they have positioned their sound around the voice that embodies said misunderstood poet: that of J.C. King. If you can’t latch on to King’s Antony-esque vibrato, Colin Meloy-esque (of The Decemberists) nasality, or off-melody,......

15. Mogwai - Mr. Beast (Matador) As ever, Mogwai manage to blend unadulterated post-rock weight to their shoegazer tendencies with tracks like "Glasgow Mega Snake" and "Folk Death 95," showcasing their ability to create anthems with no words. This is where Mr. Beast really shines, in between blistering chord progressions and gradual swings into corybantic climaxes. In some ways a throwback to earlier (and heavier) Mogwai material, Mr. Beast isn't merely a rock album.......

This was not a very happy week for the -ist network as one of our own, Phillyist co-editor Star C. Foster, passed away early in the week. Her wit, intelligence, and good nature shone through the site, making Phillyist an immensely fun read. She was loved by many and will be missed by all. Phillyist paid tribute to her this week with a heartfelt letter to her and an obituary. And now, the awkward......

Just hours before The Decemberists were to take the outdoor stage at Stubb's, ominous clouds gathered over Austin, releasing a piddling sprinkle of rain that seemed, at the time, to bode unwell for the evening's show. But as the minutes crept ahead, the clouds followed suit, leaving us with a perfectly breezy fall evening -- a far cry from the sub-saharan muck we were mired in when we last saw the Portland, Oregon bunch,......

Belle & Sebastian - The Life Pursuit Sunny hooks, exuberant melodies and Stuart Murdoch’s sneaky/clever lyrics make this latest LP from our favorite Scottish tweesters eminently enjoyable. Be sure to check out the special edition version, which includes a bonus disc featuring the band's live BBC recordings. She Wants Revenge - She Wants Revenge It was only mere months ago that this sharp LA quartet first played Austin, dazzling the crowd at Stubb's who's arrived......

If you missed the Decemberists show last Saturday at Emo’s, you missed one hell of a show. We’ve seen them live a few times, and they never disappoint. The sold-out show opened with Okkervil River, who gave a fantastic, energetic performance. But really, we came for Decemberists' frontman Colin Meloy and his band of suit-wearing musical misfits. They began with the first track from their new album, Picaresque. Pounding drums, guitars, and a thrilling piano......

As the Austinist walked a deserted street downtown last night, we wondered just how many would attend a mid-week concert at Emo's after the overload of SXSW. The crowd that greeted us surpassed our expectations. The Mountain Goats have brought Austin's music scene back to life after only three days of rotting in a cave. After a "surprisingly good" poem about vodka, Jesus, and George Jones, The Mountain Goats began their late-night set on......