Celebrating 25 Years of Music for Listeners: A Vibrant Showcase of Texas-Based Indie Bands

Get ready, music enthusiasts! KRTU, the renowned radio station, is hosting a free live music event on September 14th at 6 p.m. in Trinity's Laurie Auditorium. This celebration marks the 25th anniversary of the beloved "Music for Listeners" program, and it promises to be a night filled with the captivating sounds of three Texas-based indie bands: Voxtrot, Blushing, and Buttercup.

Discover the Eclectic Sounds of Texas' Indie Music Scene

The Enduring Legacy of "Music for Listeners"

Since its inception in 1999, the "Music for Listeners" program has been a beacon of musical discovery, showcasing a diverse array of emerging artists and providing a listening experience that caters to audiences of all musical tastes. Helmed by founder Michael Thomas and his co-host, Orlando Torres, the program has become a staple in the local music scene, introducing listeners to a wide range of genres, from classic country and ambient music to folk and classic rock."I called the show 'Music for Listeners' because I kind of wanted to be vague about it," Thomas explains. "You never know what you're going to hear when you tune into the broadcast. We play classic country songs, we play ambient music, folk music [and] classic rock, but for the most part, we play a lot of British independent music, and that can be any genre, really."Over the past 25 years, "Music for Listeners" has featured renowned British artists such as Mumford and Sons, Bombay Bicycle Club, and Django Django, but the program has also been a champion of local talent, showcasing some of the closest and most beloved artists in the Texas music scene.

A Celebration of Texas-Based Indie Bands

The upcoming 25th-anniversary celebration will feature three Texas-based indie bands that have a long history with the "Music for Listeners" program. Buttercup, a San Antonio-based band, will be the opening act, bringing their unique blend of vocal harmonies, quirky musical character, and performance-oriented experience to the stage."We've got a kind of a severe little beginning to our set. It's going to be interesting," says Buttercup frontman Erik Sanden. "We're a pretty talky band. We tend to speak a lot between our songs, and we're not going to say a word, but we are going to communicate using language — written language. So we're doing something a little different. Hopefully, it'll be pretty fun."Blushing, an Austin-based shoegaze band, will serve as the support act, offering a more nostalgic and atmospheric sound that has captivated the "Music for Listeners" audience for the past decade.The headliner for the event will be Voxtrot, a band that has been a long-standing favorite on the "Music for Listeners" program. Known for their indie rock sound, Voxtrot will take the stage to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the show that has championed their music over the years.

A Community Celebration and a Spotlight on KRTU

The 25th-anniversary celebration of "Music for Listeners" is not just a musical event; it's also an opportunity for the community to come together and discover the vibrant local music scene. The free concert on September 14th is open to the public, allowing music lovers from all walks of life to experience the talents of these Texas-based indie bands."We want [attendees] to come together as a community, just to enjoy some music … and also just to be aware of KRTU," says Monica Reina, the station manager at KRTU. "A lot of the new students … may not really know that we have a radio station here at Trinity, so it'll be a great way to promote KRTU to new students who may not know about it."The celebration also includes a paid admissions concert on October 5th at The Lonesome Rose, a bar located on St. Mary's Street, featuring a different lineup of artists. This dual-event approach ensures that the 25th-anniversary celebration reaches a wide audience and showcases the depth and diversity of the local music scene.For the artists involved, the opportunity to be part of this milestone event is a testament to the impact of the "Music for Listeners" program. "We are flattered to be chosen. Music for Listeners is such a cool outlet. … Their shows up there are so well curated. We've met and made so many friends [through the broadcast] over the years," says Joe Reyes, guitarist for Buttercup.As the Trinity community and music enthusiasts gather to celebrate the 25th anniversary of "Music for Listeners," they will be treated to a night of captivating performances, a spotlight on the local indie music scene, and a deeper appreciation for the enduring legacy of this beloved radio program.