Texas Music News — July 8, 2026
Beyoncé surprised fans with a new song, teasing a B’Day reissue and possible Act III. The Houston native’s “Morning Dew (Donk)” dropped July 4 as her first new material in two years, written with Pharrell Williams, The-Dream, and Darius Dixon, and kicks off a 60-day countdown to a 20th-anniversary reissue of her 2006 album B’Day. The surprise release has fans speculating about a follow-up to Renaissance and Cowboy Carter. Details at Rolling Stone
San Antonio’s Piñata Protest headlines the No Pasa Nada Fest this month, touring behind new EP No Sabo. The Tex-Mex punk band tops a bill with FEA, Los Juanos, and Hijas de la Madre at the Rah! Rah! Room, celebrating their six-song EP released this spring alongside mariachi interludes and food from Mi Tierra. Details at San Antonio Current
Houston Grand Opera soprano Ana María Martínez named 2026 Texas State Musician-Classical. The Rice University Shepherd School of Music professor and Grammy winner, who has sung leading roles at the Met, La Scala, and Covent Garden, was honored by the Texas Commission on the Arts alongside Norah Jones’ non-classical designation — Houston’s classical scene getting its own turn in the statewide spotlight. Details at Houston Grand Opera
SXSW announced its 2027 dates: March 13-21 in downtown Austin. The festival is expanding its schedule with an earlier Saturday start for SXSW EDU and a six-day Innovation track, aiming to draw a wider mix of students, industry insiders, and festival-goers to next year’s event. Details at SXSW
