Microwave in Austin

About Microwave

Microwave is an emo band from Poughkeepsie that treats anxiety like it's a subject worth getting angry about. They came up in the mid-2010s streaming era without much traditional label push, just building a quiet cult following through songs that balance vulnerable lyrics with the kind of guitar work that makes your stomach hurt. Their earlier records, especially "Much Love" and "It's Not About the Guitar," established them as the kind of band that could make a song about feeling trapped sound genuinely devastating. They're not reinventing emo, but they're not trying to. They're just very good at the specific thing they do: introspective songs that still hit hard, delivered with enough restraint that the heavy moments land differently. If you've found yourself rewatching their older music videos or relating to songs about overthinking, you're exactly who this band is for.

Known for Senators, Stressful, Dog Leather, Death Wish, The Most Beautiful Thing

Microwave + Austin

Microwave's relationship with Austin has been modest but consistent. They last touched down at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in May 2025, playing to a room that appreciated their brand of introspective indie rock. The band doesn't overwhelm Austin's stages, but they show up, and that counts for something.

Microwave in Austin News

• Tours: Microwave announce 'Much Love' anniversary shows (US and Canada) Punknews · Dec 11, 2025
• Microwave announce 'Much Love' anniversary tour w/ Anthony Green, Hunny, Into It. Over It., more BrooklynVegan · Dec 9, 2025
• Microwave Celebrates A Decade Of Much Love With Anniversary Shows idobi · Dec 9, 2025
• How a Silicon Valley 'warlord' got the Pentagon’s attention Reuters · Oct 4, 2025
• Wellington Chef Austin Beckett Crowned Winner of Fox’s Next Level Chef Palm Beach Illustrated · Jul 1, 2025

Live Music in Austin

Austin's indie rock scene is too busy being cool to admit it cares about earnestness, but bands like Microwave remind everyone that sincerity and solid songwriting aren't mutually exclusive. The city's got venues from Barracuda to The Moody that support guitar-driven acts who actually have something to say. There's room for both the ironic and the genuine here.

Austin road trip to see Microwave?

Stay in East Austin, where you'll find better restaurants and a neighborhood that actually feels alive. Dinner at Suerte—confident, creative food in a space that doesn't try too hard. During the day, wander the galleries and vintage shops along East 6th, or head to Zilker Park to sit with a coffee and watch Austin be itself. If you've got time, catch live music at Mohawk or Hotel Vegas—smaller rooms where you can see how Austin's songwriting community actually operates. The city's best asset isn't any single thing; it's the density of good people doing interesting work.