( Artist Update )

Written by: Ginny Gaines   

Early February in Austin, Texas has always meant something special for Shakey Graves, whose real name is Alejandro Rose-Garcia. And in 2026, that feeling came alive again over two packed nights of music. On Friday, February 6, he stepped onto the small, gritty stage at Hole in the Wall. If you’ve ever been there, you know it’s tight, loud, and personal. Its the kind of place where you can feel every stomp of his foot drum and hear every crack in his voice. It’s a legendary Austin club near the University of Texas, and it fits his roots perfectly. The crowd was right there with him, shoulder to shoulder, singing along.

The very next night, Saturday, February 7, he played at The Mohawk, another iconic Austin venue, but bigger and more open. The Mohawk has both indoor and outdoor spaces, and the energy there is different. It's louder, wider, but still very Austin. Playing back-to-back hometown shows like that isn’t just another tour stop. It felt intentional.

For longtime fans, early February is tied to something bigger. Back in 2012, the City of Austin proclaimed February 9 as “Shakey Graves Day.” It started as a way to celebrate his rise in the Austin music scene and his independent spirit. Over the years, fans began treating early February like an unofficial holiday. So when he plays Austin shows around this time? It feels like a celebration. Sometimes fans speculate about surprise song drops, special merch, or secret announcements. Whether anything official happens or not, the vibe is always a little more electric. It’s less about a formal holiday and more about community.

After the Austin weekend, Shakey Graves doesn’t slow down. In April 2026, he heads west for a string of headlining shows, including stops in:

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tucson, Arizona

Ventura, California

Menlo Park, California

Crystal Bay, Nevada

Sacramento, California

Boise, Idaho

These are mostly theater and club shows, the kind where he can stretch out songs, change arrangements, and surprise the audience. Then summer brings the big festival stages. He’s scheduled to appear at the Railbird Music Festival in Kentucky in June, a major Americana and roots gathering and the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival in July. Festivals mean larger crowds, stacked lineups, and shorter but high-energy sets.

If you’ve never seen him live, here’s the simple version: He blends folk, blues, indie rock, and Americana. Sometimes it’s just him and a guitar. Other times it’s full band and electric. He often rearranges songs so they don’t sound exactly like the album. No two nights are exactly the same. That’s why fans travel to multiple shows.

February 6–7, 2026 wasn’t just another pair of tour dates. It was a hometown weekend tied to a long-running tradition. It's a reminder of where he started and how far he’s come. From small Austin bars to major summer festivals, 2026 is shaping up to be another strong year on the road for Shakey Graves.

That's a wrap for my update on Shakey Graves...Thank you for reading and in closing, please just know, Soundwave Music Media will be here and I will always do my best to bring you the rock music report! Please consider supporting me and the crew by purchasing a Soundwave shirt or hat and support our sponsors! Rock On! Until next time...🤘

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