A first-time music festival will be the dominating force in and around Fort Worth this weekend, with artists, music industry insiders, and fans taking over the city's various venues. Other choices include a visit from a big rock band, a symphonic tribute to Motown, a local production of a Broadway musical, monster trucks, a dance performance, and more.
Below are the best ways to spend your precious free time this weekend. Want more options? Lucky for you, we have a much longer list of the city's best events.
Ray Wylie Hubbard will be one of the performers during the Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference, going on through March 4.
Thursday, March 2
Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference at the Stockyards
The inaugural Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference at the Stockyards is a new music networking conference for aspiring agents, managers, promoters, and emerging local Texas-based artists. Taking place at Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall and other venues through Saturday, the event includes panel discussions, keynote speakers, workshops, and live performances by a variety of local and regional artists. Performers include Radney Foster, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Josh Weathers, Prophets & Outlaws, Max Stalling, Stoney LaRue, and more. (See the full lineup here.)
Friday, March 3
Magnolia at the Modern: One Fine Morning
Sandra, a young mother who raises her daughter alone, pays regular visits to her sick father. While she and her family fight tooth and nail to get him the care he requires, Sandra reconnects with Clément, a friend she hasn't seen in a while. Although he is in a relationship, the two begin a passionate affair. The film, which is in French with English subtitles, will screen six times through Sunday at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth.
Muse in concert
English rock band Muse are veterans of the music industry, having released their first album in 1999. They've been popular in their native country from the jump, but didn't cross over for real in the United States until 2006's Black Holes and Revelations. They still have yet to have a true blue hit on this side of the pond, but they clearly have their fair share of fans as their albums consistently sell well. They'll play at Dickies Arena.
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra presents "Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown"
From 1961 to 1971, Motown Records had more than 100 hits in the top 10. That kind of success didn't come by accident - founder Berry Gordy Jr. had a true knack for identifying soul artists with a mainstream pop appeal who would flip the music world on its head. This concert, conducted by William Waldrop, will feature hits by Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and more. There will be three performances through Sunday at Bass Performance Hall.
Improv Arlington presents Guy Torry
Guy Torry is an actor and comedian who's had roles in movies like American History X, Pearl Harbor, and Runaway Jury. His television credits include The Tonight Show, Def Comedy Jam, Jimmy Kimmel, and Late Night with Craig Ferguson. His comedy has been described as dash of Chris Rock, shavings of Richard Pryor, a scoop of Lenny Bruce, and some spice of George Carlin. He'll perform five times through Sunday at Improv Arlington.
Treaty Oak Revival in concert
Treaty Oak Revival is an up-and-coming country band out of West Texas, forming in Midland in 2019. After putting out a couple of singles in 2020, they put out their debut album, No Vacancy, in 2021. That release was well-received, and now they're making their first headlining appearance in Fort Worth as part of the Fort Worth Music Festival at Billy Bob's Texas.
Saturday, March 4
Casa Mañana presents Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Before she was hit-maker Carole King, she was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for the biggest acts in music to her own life-changing, trailblazing success with Tapestry, Beautiful takes audiences back to where it all began – and takes them on the ride of a lifetime. The production, running through March 12 at Casa Mañana, features classics like “You’ve Got a Friend,” ”One Fine Day,” “Natural Woman,” and more.
Monster Jam
Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles-per-hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motorsports action seen around the world. The event takes place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre presents Dancing Beyond Borders
DBDT: Encore! takes its talents to Fort Worth with Dancing Beyond Borders, pushing the lines of contemporary modern dance. Choreographer Jess Hendricks brings the dancers to the brink of physical exhaustion in the dance Shedding Skin. The work will singe the emotions of the audience as the dancers move through the strenuous and athletic work. The performance will be at W. E. Scott Theatre at Arts Fort Worth.
Mike Ryan in concert
Bringing a close to the Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference, singer Mike Ryan will make his return to Billy Bob's Texas after a seven-year absence. The San Antonio native, as evidenced by his performance at the festival, is a favorite all around Texas. And, for the first time in five years, he has new music to showcase, as he released his fourth album, Longcut, in 2022.
Sunday, March 5
Silversun Pickups in concert
It's no rest for the weary at Tannahill's Tavern & Music Hall, as it will host alt-rock band Silversun Pickups just a day after the Fort Worth Music Festival ends. The L.A.-based band has been a mainstay on the alternative charts since their debut in 2006, landing top 10 hits like "Lazy Eye," "Panic Switch," and "The Hit." They're on tour in support of their latest album, 2022's Physical Thrills.