Stephen Sowan, Elijah Ford, Kuffki

If your idea of a perfect night is loud guitars, gritty hooks, and a front-row seat to some of Austin’s most road-tested rockers, pencil in this late-night triple bill: Stephen Sowan, Elijah Ford, and Kuffki taking over C-Boy’s Heart & Soul on South Congress.

• Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026
• Time: Doors at 9:30 pm; Stephen Sowan at 10 pm, Elijah Ford at 11 pm, Kuffki at midnight
• Cover: $10 cash at the door
• Age: 21+ only

Stephen Sowan kicks things off, bringing two decades of hard-earned experience in the music and entertainment world. By day, he’s the force behind Street Legal Guitars, restoring and selling vintage instruments to players around the globe. By night, he channels that same obsession with tone and feel into an all-American rock ’n’ roll set backed by a rotating who’s who of Austin talent, including players tied to acts like Phosphorescent, Steve Earle, Dawes, Nikki Lane, and more. Expect him to dig into songs from his unreleased debut album, Looks Like Nothing—a rare chance to hear the material live before it officially sees the light of day.

Following him is Elijah Ford, a California native who’s firmly planted roots in Austin’s music scene. Rock and roll is quite literally in his blood: his father is Marc Ford, former guitar powerhouse for The Black Crowes. Elijah cut his teeth on the road as a teenager with his dad’s Fuzz Machine and has basically lived on tour ever since, shifting seamlessly between bandleader, sideman, songwriter, and producer. After the pandemic pause, he reconnected with the road alongside Gary Clark Jr. and company, adding even more miles and stories to his already stacked résumé. His solo sets blend classic rock grit, melodic songwriting, and the kind of confident guitar work that comes from growing up in and around legendary players.

Closing out the night, Kuffki keeps the energy high for the true late-night crowd. By the time they hit the stage at midnight, the room is warmed up, the crowd is loose, and the band leans into the vibe with a sound that complements the rock-forward lineup—think late-set catharsis, strong grooves, and a soundtrack for staying out way past a responsible bedtime.

This show is tailor-made for fans of guitar-driven rock, Americana edges, and musicians who live and breathe their craft. The cash cover keeps it old-school, the 21+ policy ensures a grown-up night out, and the stacked bill means there’s zero filler from doors to last call. If you love seeing serious players up close before the rest of the world catches on, this is one of those nights you’ll be bragging about later.

Grab your cash, clear your Friday morning, and get ready for a full-throttle South Congress rock night with Stephen Sowan, Elijah Ford, and Kuffki.