It’s still hot as Hell outside, but that’s okay because the summer tours are still rolling through town. This week we’ll get visited by the likes of Lil Yachty, Washed Out and Rod Stewart, to name a few, while locals like Pecos Hank, LACE and Mojave Red will round out the week. Houston, here’s your road map for the next seven days.
Wednesday you can begin at Raven Tower when Houston-born and Austin-transplant Buenos Diaz returns to perform on the back patio. Diaz has an infectious sound that’s kind of like if Elvis Costello was born here in Texas. His latest release, Buenos Diaz, is full of songs you can’t help but love, and his live sets are a mix of fun and rock energy. The all-ages show gets going around 7:30 pm and it’s free.
On Thursday, you can head to the greenroom at Warehouse Live for the dirty rock-and-roll of Austin’s Fair City Fire. Supporting last year’s The Simple Truth, these guys sound like their bluesy grooves might be worth making it out for. The rock of Houston’s Londale will be on as direct support, while the indie folk noise of Virginia Beach’s Feral Conservatives will go on prior. The ambient rock of Houston’s East of Eado will open the all-ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $7 and $10.
Bert Kreischer, Photo: LEG Management
Over at Improv, a weekend of laughs with Bert Kreischer will kick off. Kreischer may be best known for his stories of growing up in Russia, or perhaps the nickname “the machine,” but he’s seriously one of the funniest comics going. Host of Travel Channel’s “Trip Flip,” he’s been on Letterman, WTF with Marc Maron, and is a globe-trekking comic that regularly sells out his shows. Two of Houston’s better up and comers will be on as host and feature acts for the 18 & up shows. The Thursday set has doors at 7:15 pm and tickets between $25 and $25.
At White Oak Music Hall upstairs, the hip hop of Seattle’s Ryan Caraveo will be on full display. Caraveo made his name as a positive force through his infectious tracks — but that doesn’t mean that he’s soft. While his music contains electro-pop elements, his latest, Maybe They Were Wrong, is as catchy as it is legit. The electronica of Houston’s MIEARS will be on hand as direct support and opener for the all-ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
Rito’s Bar will have the feminist punk of Illinois’ PRYSS. Rumored to be an intense band to catch, their album Sisyphus is pretty heavy and dark. The crazy rolling-on-the-floor-punk of Houston’s Substance will provide direct support, while FRISK will play for the first time beforehand. The show is seemingly all-ages and gets going around 8:30 pm with a $5 or pay what you can cover.
Friday you could start off at Cactus for the Author Session for the book Women In Punk Vol. 1 from Houston’s David Ensminger. Of course, Ensminger plays drums for The Hates and performs in other bands, but music history is really where he shines. There will be performances from Screech of Death, No Love Less and Mel Hell and the Texas Mod Crushers as well. The free all-ages event gets going around 6 pm, and there should be gratis beer for the adults.
St Joseph Professional Building, Photo: Jordan Asinas
Insomnia Gallery will have a pretty cool show called Through The Viewfinder. Featuring photography from the likes of Jordan Asinas, Daniel Jackson, Scott Holleman, Jorge Luna and many, many more, the show should offer a glimpse of what photographers see in the everyday world. There will be a DJ, food trucks, and some form of donation based “bar.” The all-ages event gets going around 7 pm, there’s more information available here, and the $5 cover goes towards the showcase for the following year.
At Satellite Bar, the New York-born and Austin-transplanted indie folk pop of Sherry will be on full display when the band performs their set. Sherry blends acoustic pop with garage undertones all over their latest, Not Brandy, Not Whiskey, which came out this year. The dream pop of Houston’s Such Marvelous Monsters will be on as direct support and openers for the all-ages show with doors at 8 pm and a free cover for the adults or $7 for the kiddos.
Washed Out, Photo: Paradigm Agency
At White Oak Music Hall downstairs, you can get down to the chillwave sounds of Washed Out. Best known for his song “Feel It All Around,” or the theme to the show Portlandia, this guy makes songs that make you wanna get down or make out — or both. His latest drop, this year’s Mister Mellow, keeps the jams flowing, and it should make for a legit live show. There’s no word of support or openers, but that could change on the all-ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $18.50 and $22.
Stereo Live will host the always fun and groove-heavy sounds of Laidback Luke. The popular producer, hailing from the Netherlands, brings plenty of heat to his live sets, and his latest single, “With Me,” keeps the temperature high. So get ready to get down! The 18 & up show has doors at 9 pm and tickets for $15.
Pecos Hank, Photo: Jay Dryden Photography
Continental Club will have a barn burner when Pecos Hank and Craig Kinsey stop by to perform. Hank has been going strong between storm chasing and releasing a full-length as well as just releasing a video for “Drive Under the Moon.” Kinsey has been holed up outside of town living a more bohemian life, but his last release, The Nylon Sessions, is a true tour de force. The two are definitely worth making it out for on the 21 & up show that has doors at 10 pm and a $10 cover.
On Saturday, you could begin at Satellite Bar for the ATX vs. HOU Punk Fest. The all-day affair will feature sets from Austin acts like Yikes and All Opposed as well as many others. The Houston side of things features Dead to The World, Patterns, Revels and many more. There’s more information available here for the all-ages event that has doors at 3 pm and a $12 cover.
Later on at Smart Financial Center, rock legend Rod Stewart will bring his soulful voice to the Sugarland venue. Of course, with The Faces, Stewart rivaled acts like the Rolling Stones. As a solo artist, he’s racked up hits like “Maggie May,” Do Ya Think I’m Sexy,” “All For Love,” and many, many more. His last album, 2024’s Another Country, proved that the singer hasn’t lost his touch. His live shows are pretty impressive for a guy his age. Eighties pop star Cyndi Lauper will be on as opener and direct support for the all-ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $94.50 and $154.50.
Of course, I’d guess most of you would be at Warehouse Live in the ballroom,where Lil Yachty will bring his hop hop to town. Supporting his latest, Teenage Emotions, the Atlanta rapper will be worth making it out for, as he’s been popping off as of late. There’s no word of support or openers, but that may change. Every prepaid ticket receives a physical CD of the new album on the al- ages show with doors at 6:30 pm with tickets between $29.50 and $35.
Mark Drew, Photo: Henry McRae Dillard
Over at House of Blues, Houston’s Mike Jones will return with his chopped and screwed era hip hop. That’s not to say that Jones has been sleeping, but he’s also due for a new record, as his last album was over eight years ago with The Voice. Doeman will bring his heavy hitting rap on as direct support, while the mic prowess of Genesis Blu will go on prior, as will the skills of T2 The Ghetto Hippie. Mark Drew will come from behind the mixing board to drop a set as well, while Chain$moke will get the all-ages show started. The doors are at 7 pm and carry tickets for $15.
Walter’s will host the indie-emo-goodness of Rome Hero Foxes. While their least release, this year’s I/O, was an acoustic, stripped down album, the previous one from last year, For When You’re Falling Backwards, is a pretty impressive one. Full of hooks and catchy melodies, their live shows are definitely worth making it out for. The alt rock of Houston’s Shalva will be on as direct support, while the surf rock of Sleepy Dog will go on beforehand. Peach Creek will open up the all-ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $10 and $12.
Mojave Red, Photo: Dani Willie
Continental Club has the cassette release party for Houston psych rockers Mojave Red. While they’re definitely stretching their legs with their latest, “Fading Out,” teaming up with new label Wallflower Records is definitely a step in the right direction. Mix in their solid live sets and you have a nice recipe for success. Austin’s Summer Fires will be on as support, while the high energy of Houston’s texture:Yellow will open the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm and an $8 cover.
Over on William Street, you can get your groove on for the Dog Daze show. With a headlining set from NYC’s J. Albert and performances from Miguel Flaco back to back with Noey Lopez, this should be a burner of a show. Kona FM will bring her DJ jams on as well, while Collin Hedrick will go on prior. DJ Naomi will open things up with doors at 9 pm and a $10 cover for the BYOB show.
Zack Palmer, Photo: Jordan Asinas
On Sunday, you could roll by Little Dipper for some afternoon weirdness from Zack Palmer and Andrew Sainz of Walter’s fame. The two will drop DJ sets of music you probably won’t hear anywhere else, and it should make for a nice way to cool off in this Summer heat. The 21 & up event starts at 3 pm and runs until 6, and it’s free to attend.
Later on at Walter’s, the dark punk of Philadelphia’ Blank Spell will swing through to perform. Like taking the elemental darkwave and new wave elements and placing them on punk, this three piece is an act you should see, as they rarely roll through our city. Their latest release, this year’s Miasma, is pretty legit. The post punk of Pennsylvania’s Haldol will be on as direct support, while the hardcore of Houston’s LACE will go on beforehand. Rough Sleepers will open things up for the all-ages show with doors at 8 pm with an $8 cover.
Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble, Photo: Olia Eichenbaum
On Monday, Walter’s will host France’s Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble over for a very rare performance. Sadier, best known as lead singer for the ’90s electro-pop group Stereolab, has been carving out a respectable solo career for the past fifteen years. While this year sees her solo efforts coming to full force with Find Me Finding You, the release is one of the most beautiful and intriguing electronic works you can hear. Almost like a modern day version of “The Girl From Ipanema,” this is definitely a show you won’t want to miss because it doesn’t come this way very often. Heather Trost of Neutral Milk Hotel will be on as direct support, while Houston’s El Lago will bring their dreamy indie rock on as openers. The all-ages show has doors at 8 pm and a $12 cover.
Tuesday in the greenroom at Warehouse Live, Whitney Flynn of the band Days N Daze will kick off her solo tour. While I’m not certain what that will sound like, I’m sure it’ll be worth making it out for. The Celtic punk of The Real McCoys will be on as direct support, while the trippy pop of Motion Hotel will go on prior. The hip hop of Baytown’s Virgil Wolfe will get things started on the all-ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets for $5 or $8 for the kids.
Over at Rudyard’s they will host Grown-Up Storytime, the popular show series from Bootown. Of course, you probably know about the story reading series because it’s become a well-known thing for visitors to our city. What you may not know is that both of these shows at 8 pm and at 10 pm can easily sell out. So if you want to attend the 21 & up shows with a $5 cover, you should get there early.
That’s about it around town this week. No matter what you do and where you go, please remember that a safe ride home is just an app away.
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