Extended Weekend: The Best of the Week
By David H
This weekend will get extended into the following week, as due to SXSW; there are plenty of happenings in Houston right now. That’s no BS, seeing as how your Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday for the following week; will feel like a weekend by themselves; here’s what’s on plate.
On Thursday at Warehouse Live, the ballroom show for “Welcome To Night Vale” podcast show is sold out. However, those of you who are ardent fans of the genre, shouldn’t be discouraged. It’s cool for podcasters that the Night Vale show sold out such a large room, but there’s another podcast as well at Warehouse on Thursday night. The “Throwing Shade” podcast will be over in the green room. “Throwing Shade” is a podcast that generally deals with feminist and homosexual issues in a comedic fashion. The show feature the Upright Citizens Brigade alumni Erin Gibson and Bryan Safi. Through comedic repartee and an almost insulting barrage of politically incorrect humor, the pair garners laughs through their takes on serious issues in our world today. The doors for this show are at 7:30, and the tickets are a bargain at $15.00.
If seeing a podcast live isn’t your thing, then you can also head over to Mango’s on Thursday for some garage rock goodness. Indiana’s The Brother’s Gross will be making their way into town with their garage rock pop sounds. Their 2024 release, “Get Soaked” was one of the better lo-fi releases of the year, complete with hand claps and sing song melodies. The female led sleaze rock of Chicago’s Draw Blood will be joining as well.
Ohio’s groovy based Buffalo Killers will also be at Continental Club with Amplified Heat on the 13th as well. This is a really well paired show as Amplified Heat really puts on a great live show, and mixed with Buffalo Killers, it shouldn’t disappoint. The show starts at 9:00 and though the ticket price isn’t stated anywhere, it should be between $12.00 and $20.00.
On Friday, you can get your rockabilly fix over at Walter’s when The Koffin Kats make their way into Houston. The Detroit based trio has been tearing up the rockabilly scene for over a decade now, and they don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. The always raucous and energetic sounds of Houston’s Flamin’ Hellcats will get things started. I saw them when I was at Rudyard’s underage back in the nineties, and they’ve only gotten better. The doors are at 8:00 and tickets are between $10.00 and $12.00
If for some bizarre reason, you happened to miss 2 Chainz when he performed at FPSF 2024, then you should definitely make it over to Bayou Music Center on Friday, the 14th. As anyone who saw him last year would tell you, he definitely puts on a good show. His, 2 Good to be T.R.U. tour will also feature the soulful sounds of Houston’s own August Alsina, who is no slouch himself. His Def Jam release “Downtown: Life Under The Gun,” was one of the best R&B albums I heard in 2024. The energetic and creative sway of Pusha T is on board as well. If you love hip hop, this is the best bill for you, as all three of the guys are definitely worth seeing. It all gets started at 9:00 and tickets are $37.50, which will be a little over $50.00 after the add ons; but worth it for this bill.
Also on Friday, and a definitely interesting thing to see live, is the Lauren Miller show over at House of Blues’ Crossroads stage. I don’t recommend HOB very often as it always feels like the ticket prices are fairly steep. Such is not the case with this show, as the Crossroads room is their restaurant, and there’s no cover. For those unfamiliar with Lauren’s act, she’s a local girl who performs a touch of burlesque alongside her sultry pop versions of yesterday and today’s most soulful artists. I recommend it cause’ she has an intense set of pipes and it’s your best bet away from the rodeo to have dinner and a show. Things get started at 7:00 and there’s no cover charge.
Saturday, the 15th has the 23rd Annual KTRU Outdoor Show providing plenty of FREE entertainment for all ages over at Rice University. The daytime event gets started with Steve Cox’s Beard at noon, and includes daytime sets from The Suffers, FLCN FCKER, Young Mammals, and many other local acts. The evening is concluded with a set from Portland’s poppy and dreamy Blouse, and finished by rap trio The Outfit Tx. There will be local food trucks offering up plenty of eats as well, and is a great way to spend your Saturday.
Also on Saturday, I would definitely recommend making it out to Fitzgerald’s downstairs. The Arts and Crafts group has packaged a tour of some of the better up and coming acts out touring today. Reuben and The Dark might be one of the better folk rock acts I’ve heard in a good while, and they’re bringing their upbeat and sometimes quirky Canadian sounds down to Texas. The intense and deep sounds of LA’s NO. and the sometimes falsetto voiced pop goodness of Toronto’s The Darcys are opening things up. This is an all ages show that’s a steal at FREE if you’re 21 and up, and a bargain at $7.00 if you’re under 21. The doors are at 8:00
Sunday the 16th, might be the most stacked day in the whole month, as pretty much every live spot in Houston has a show worth checking out. For starters, fans of Taking Back Sunday, The Used, and about ten other bands will be playing the HWAP(Houston We Have A Problem) festival over at Bayou Music Center. The tickets are $50.00, but at least you’ll be playing about $3.75 a band. The show is an all day affair starting at 2:00 in the afternoon.
Also on Sunday, two hometown heroes gear up for a massive tour with the Bun B Birthday Celebration and Trillest Tour kick off party at Warehouse Live. The ballroom should be packed with anyone who’s ever gotten down to one of Bun’s songs. These guys, and the entire hip hop community make you proud to be a Houstonian. Even if you just wanted to sing Happy Birthday to one Houston’s best ambassadors, the show also has up and comer Kirko Bangz. Now on Warner Bros records, Bangz is seriously one of the best rappers you’ll see in a city full of rappers. I’m not saying he’s huge, but I recently had an AT&T customer service rep in Ohio ask me if I’d seen Kirko live, just because I live in Houston. The doors are at 8:00 and the tickets are a measly $25.00.
Not to be outdone, Fitzgerald’s has punk rockers Against Me! on Sunday as well. Their new album, “Transgender Dysphoria Blues” seriously blew me away with it’s up front and earnest lyrics alongside an amazing sound. I think it might be one of their best records, if not their best so far. One of my favorite newer bands, Michigan’s Cheap Girls will bring their Replacements sound to the bill, as well as the soulful Laura Stevenson. Houston’s Dead To The World are openers. The doors are at 7:30 and the tickets range between $17.00 and $19.00.
Monday, over at The Summit, local indie rockers Football, Etc. will be dropping some mad science on our city. Their 2024 release, “Audible” was a record I wish I had had the chance to review, as it’s really amazing. As melodic and heartfelt as any emo band before them, Football, Etc. prove that they’re one of Houston’s stronger new acts. The poppy and energetic sounds of Akron, Ohio’s Annabel and the refreshingly math based emo sounds of Chicago’s Mountains For Clouds will be joining as well. Anyone who loves bands like Mineral or Knapsack should seriously make this show. The emo core and underrated sounds of Houston’s Hoofprints get things started. The cover is a paltry $5.00 and the doors are at 7:00.
Monday night, well, there’s more than one thing happening, but I can’t imagine missing the one thing that’s sure to impress. That is of course, the Har Mar Superstar show at Mango’s. I wrote a stand alone piece about that show, cause’ that’s how much I think you should go. That guy knows how to put on a hell of a show, and openers Fletcher C. Johnson and Hector’s Pets just add to the allure. The doors are at 8:00, it’s all ages, and it’s 100% FREE.
On Tuesday, Warehouse Live brings us the melodic and extremely talented sounds of Albert Hammond Jr. If you didn’t know, Hammond is the rhythm guitarist for The Strokes, but he’s forged his own path with his energetic and poppy solo records. Recently, he released the amazing EP, “AHJ,” to critical acclaim. There should be a support act, though one hasn’t been named yet. The doors are at 7:00 and tickets are $16.00.
So, a little crazy in terms of lots of options. But, wouldn’t you rather have tons of options than no options at all? I mean, if you think no options is the way to go, I’d suggest a move to San Antonio. Either way, whether your weekend starts on Thursday or on Sunday, the city has you covered with lots to do.
