Good Day: The Best of The Week

Lil Yachty. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Instagram

Last week certainly was filled with surprises and plenty of entertainment options.  While this week isn’t as packed, there are still plenty of things to do and see.  Acts who rarely roll through town will be here this week, including The Used, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Atlanta rapper Lil Yachty.  Houston, here’s how to spend your paycheck this week.

Wednesday you can get going at Nightingale Room for another Roologic Presents showcase and industry mixer.  This edition will feature the likes of hip hop performer Sobe Lash.  Known for her 2024 jam “Fun Ride,” Lash just dropped a new banger of an EP with The Pretty Reckless.  She’ll have the spunky singer songwriter tunes of Houston’s Sherita Perez on beforehand, with a set from DJ Geneva Gordon to open things up.  MC Genesis Blu will host the entire evening for the 21 & up show with doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

If that’s not your thing, then you could catch the 15th anniversary tour of Utah’s The Used at House of Blues.  The last time they played Houston, it wasn’t the most packed show, but since I hear they’ll be playing 2024’s In Love and Death in its entirety, this show could sell out.  There’s no word of openers or support, the show is all ages, and the doors are at 7 pm with tickets between $29.50 and $39.50.

Adam Bricks. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook

Rudyard’s will help you get your singer songwriter fix when Houston’s Adam Bricks drops by to perform a set.  This year Bricks’ dropped the pretty close to amazing album Relations where he grew as both a writer and performer.  Austin’s Jana Horn of the band Reservations will be on hand as direct support and will bring her sincere voice to the masses, while Houston’s Vodi will add their blend of melodic rock and indie jams as closers of the show.  Doors are at 8 pm with an $8 cover for the 21 & up show.

Thursday you could head to Walters who will host the LA based Americana five piece, The Show Ponies for a special benefit for singer Andi Carder’s singer, who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.  There’s something saccharine sweet about how this band drops male and female vocals intertwined like a crocheted blanket.  Their latest, 2024’s Run For Your Life is as catchy as it is impressive.  The foot stompin’ Alabama based Americana five piece, The Underhill Family Orchestra will be on as support for the all ages show with 8 pm doors and an $18 cover with 100% going to charity.  

Alley Kat will help you get your dance on when The Waxaholics bring producer/DJ, Scoop DeVille to town.  DeVille has produced for Kendrick, Snoop, 50, and many more, and he’s known for dropping jams on his sets.  The Waxaholics don’t need to be sold because BigReeks on his own is always on point.  They’ll also host sets from Delayed Therapy and Spuf Don.  the show is 21 & up with doors at 8 pm, and it’s 100% FREE with RSVP, found here.

Second Lovers. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook

Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, you can get your Americana fix when the laid back country of Georgia’s Futurebirds perform.  They’ll be here in support of their latest, last year’s Hotel Parties, and they’re a band worth catching live.  The twangy good times jams of Houston’s Second Lovers will be on as direct support, while Fat Possum Records’ own Justin Peter Kinkel-Schuster will bring his folk sounds on as opener.  The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets between $12 and $17.

Mucky Duck will bring together six songwriters for what they’re calling Songwriter Sixpack.  The show will feature sets from Charlie Harrison, Libby Koch, Hayden Jones, Cody Jasper, Matt Harlan and Charles Bryant.  There’s so much talent on this bill that’s it’s more fair to collectively state that you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck with this show.  The 21 & up show has doors at 9:30 pm with tickets between $20 and $22.

Dillon Trimm. Photo: Courtesy of Artist

On Friday you could make it over to Mercantile Coffee to catch an acoustic set from Houston’s Dillon Trimm.  I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn by stating that Trimm is a seriously underrated songwriter, and an act you should catch sooner than later.  Luckily for you this all ages show that gets going around 6 pm is 100% FREE, so you don’t have an excuse to miss it.

Mary Lynn Mayhem. Photo: Karlo X. Ramos

At Numbers you can get that burlesque fix from Dem Damn Dames, this time with a show called Wet Hot Burlesque Summer.  Alongside the Dames themselves, performances from Dallas’ Mary Lynn Mayhem, Atlanta’s Mary Strawberry, a return performance from Emma D’Lemma and Tifa Tittlywinks, and a slew of the cast regulars.  There’s pre-show entertainment, and your ticket gains you entry to Houston’s longest running dance night, Classic Numbers which immediately follows this show.  The 18 & up event has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $15 and $30.

You can get your hip hop fix at Warehouse Live if you were lucky enough to snag tickets for Lil Yachty.  The well known Atlanta rapper has since sold out the all ages show in the ballroom, with doors at 7 pm.

La Sien. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook

Nightingale Room will host the highly energized Spanish rock of Houston’s La Sien.  Don’t confuse their new album La Sien from their debut by the same name; as this new one takes the band into a new direction where they’ve brought a softer and more soulful beauty to their already impressive sound. The impressive and stunning post rock electronica of San Antonio’s Femina-X will be on hand as openers for the 21 & up show with doors at 7 pm.  The show is 100% FREE.

Raven Tower will host a barn burner when the always delightful sounds of Houston’s Dollie Barnes drops by to headline a set.  You haven’t heard her new album because it’s not out yet, but you can hear her latest single, “Taking All Day,” now before catching her bring a subtle beauty to each and every song she plays live.  She’ll have the psych pop of Austin’s The Sour Notes on as direct support.  This band has become known for a crazed live show, and DIY aesthetic, releasing albums pretty quickly.  Their latest, Do What May is pretty damn solid, and full of lush tones and pop hooks.  The garage blues of Austin’s The Sideshow Tragedy will also be on hand while the dreamy indie rock sounds of Galveston’s El Lago will be on hand to open things up.  The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

In the Foundation Room at House of Blues, you can catch the intense energy of Houston’s Catch Fever.  The electro pop duo went from a three piece to a two piece with ease, and their new EP You Have All You Need proves you can’t keep a good band down.  They’ll have the engaging blues rock of Houston’s Fox Parlor on as support and openers.  I feel like this band doesn’t get enough props for their catchy and twangy tunes, especially those from this year’s West Dallas Rodeo.  The all ages show has doors 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.

One of the greatest Texas country legends still alive, Billy Joe Shaver will stop by Redneck Country Club to perform.  Shaver is a poet, he holds pretty much every critic and late night talk show host as fans, and he’s still going strong as a performer and artist.  It doesn’t hurt that Houston’s Nick Gaitan plays standup bass with him either.  His latest, 2024’s Long In The Tooth is pretty damn amazing, as are his live sets.  The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets between $15 and $50.

Golden Sombrero. Photo: Scot Overholser

Satellite Bar will host the indie rock of Houston’s Slow Future.  These guys don’t really play a whole bunch around town, but their new release First EP might make you want to check them out.  The country rock of The Escatones will be on as direct support, while the crazed energy of Only Beast will make it hard for anyone to follow them beforehand.  The Husker Du meets Replacements sounds of Houston’s Golden Sombrero will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $5 cover.

Rudyard’s will be celebrating their 38th anniversary in style when they host the twangy jams of Houston’s The Grizzly Band.  The alt country band has been riding high with their rockin’ album Lost and Found, and their live shows are highly energized and worth making it out for.  The outlaw bluegrass of Alvin’s Blackgrass Gospel will be on as direct support, while the critically acclaimed country twang of Mike Stinson will open the 100% FREE show with doors at 9 pm.  Sorry kids, but this show is 21 & up.

On Saturday you can get going in the studio at Warehouse Live when the art rock of Houston’s Deep Ella swings by to perform.  There’s something about how this band approaches songwriting that’s kind of hard to ignore, and 2024’s You. me. And The Spider is a real pop rock trip.  The alt rock of The Soapbox Revolution will provide direct support, while the Ryan Delahoussaye solo project Tufstrings will go on prior.  The show will also host a set from Cheers To Good Problems, as well as the energized rock of King Finn and many more.  Carpet and The Drapes will open the all ages show with full lineup here.  The doors are at 7 pm and tickets are between $10 and $12.

The Broken Spokes. Photo: Courtesy of Artist

If you’d rather get your honky tonk fix, then you could make it over to Armadillo Palace to catch the always engaging country twang of The Broken Spokes.  Don’t count these guys out because they’re from Houston, as their throwback country sounds are the type that put feet on the floor and remind you of any Texas honky tonk before the major label system ruined country music.  Their latest, this year’s The Broken Spokes is like if Hank Thompson and Hank Sr. made an album.  The 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $10.

Satellite Bar will host the Desi-punk sounds of The Kominas.  The East coast rockers play highly energized songs that have pop hooks wil punk rock sensibilities, kind of like The Strokes.  Their latest, last year’s Stereotype is pretty stellar and they’re rumored to be pretty crazed when they play live.  Houston’s Giant Kitty will bring their punk rock on board as direct support with the all female garage punk goodness of Austin’s Sailor Poon on beforehand.  The anarcho punk of Houston’s The Ancient Gods will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover.

Rudyard’s will keep their 38th anniversary weekend going strong when they host a headlining set from Houston punks, The Satanic Overlords of Rock N’ Roll.  Aside from the all star cast of Houston punks and the fact that they’ve been on bigger and bigger shows lately, I don’t think I’m out of line in saying that they’re one of the strongest live acts going right now.  They’ll have a support set from Houston’s HogLeg, as well as a set from Baron Von Bomblast both before.  LA’s Die Fast will open the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm for the 100% FREE show.  

Fox Hollow will host another edition of the monthly DJ series A Really Kool Party.  This time alongside the ARKP crew of Dayta and Hiram, the Les Femmes crew will stop by to show the boys how it’s done.  Hosted by Reko Trill, the Les Femmes crew of Gracie Chavez, Angiesliste, and Gabriela Ardon should drop plenty of dance worthy jams.  The 21 & up show has doors at 9 pm, it’s FREE until 11, and $5 after that.  

Son Of Bitch. Photo: Dean Catania

Continental Club will be bringing back the engaging sounds of Pecos Hank for a solo set.  You might know Hank from his role in Southern Backtones, or maybe just his adventures from chasing storms; but you should get to know him for his solo work.  Last year’s El Reno Blues was filled with a cinematic quality, where the songs felt like the soundtrack to a lucid dream.  The bluesy goodness of Muddy Belle will be on as direct support while the gypsy hillbilly bluegrass offerings of three piece, Son Of Bitch will get the 21 & up show started with doors at 9 pm and a $10 cover.

Monday you might want to swing by House of Blues to catch a set from Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals.  There’s something pretty amazing about Harper’s latest album Call It What It Is, where his blues rock mixture comes across more sincere than on past releases.  Couple that with his stellar live show, high energy, and great crowd work and you have a show worth making it out for on a school night.  Manhattan based R&B duo, The Jack Moves will be on hand as direct support and openers for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $45 and $67.50.

Broods. Photo: Lost Before Fate

Over in the big room at White Oak Music Hall, you can catch brother and sister electro pop duo, Broods.  The New Zealand group has earned plenty of acclaim for the electro pop jams and their beautiful jams.  Aside from a stunning live show, their latest release, this year’s Conscious adds some soul to the two piece’s already engaging sound.  They’ll have the R&B laced electro pop of Australia’s Jarryd James, who’s a big deal in his own right.  The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $20.50 and $60, the latter being a VIP option with soundcheck entrance and more.

On Tuesday you can close out the week over at Walters for the post-hardcore sounds of Sacramento’s Sianvar.  The popular five piece that features members of Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds have been riding high since their latest album Stay Lost charted on Billboard earlier this month.  California’s My Iron Lung will be on as direct support while the mathcore of Pittsburgh’s Save Us From The Archon will go on beforehand.  Houston’s Crimson Arrow will bring their proggy sounds to the bill as well as Mannequin Mishap and Vox Vocis who are also set to perform.  The alt rock of Houston’s So Soon The Truth will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.

That’s about all that’s happening around town this week.  No matter what you decide to do, please do it in the safest manner possible, and don’t forget that a safe ride home is just an app away.

by David Garrick