Austin: W.A.S.P. at Emo’s

Shock-metal veterans W.A.S.P. bring their “1984 to Headless” tour to Emo’s in Austin on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Tickets start at $47, with KK’s Priest opening.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1982, W.A.S.P. became one of the most notorious acts of the era’s glam and shock-metal scene under frontman Blackie Lawless, known for theatrical, blood-and-pyrotechnics stage shows that drew censorship battles and helped spur the creation of the PMRC’s “Parental Advisory” warning labels. Musically, the band built a catalog of hard-driving anthems — from “I Wanna Be Somebody” to “Wild Child” — that has kept them touring steadily across five decades.

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Emo’s has hosted heavy metal and hard rock package tours for years, and its stage and sound system are well-equipped for a show built around Lawless’s larger-than-life stage presence and decades-deep back catalog.

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Opening act KK’s Priest, formed by former Judas Priest guitarist K.K. Downing, brings its own pedigree to the bill, giving metal fans a rare double dose of genre veterans on one stage. Fans looking to make a full night of downtown Austin can also check out Stubb’s Bar-B-Q, another major Austin venue nearby.

Emo’s has anchored Austin’s rock and alternative scene for decades, and its current East Riverside location gives touring acts a bigger stage and better sightlines than the venue’s earlier downtown home while keeping the same reputation for booking acts across punk, metal, hip-hop, and everything in between. The room’s industrial-leaning design and heavyweight sound system have made it a favorite stop for bands looking to bring real production energy to a mid-sized Austin crowd, and its booking history spans genres in a way few other venues in the city can match. Both the indoor stage and adjoining outdoor space give visitors options for how close to get to the action.

Doors open at 7:00 PM. Emo’s is a standing-room venue, so plan to arrive early for a good spot near the stage.