Light Another: The Best of The Week
Cypress Hill. Photo: Frazier Harrison
Last week we definitely got spoiled with a ton of acts on the rise and some who are already on top of the entertainment game. This week we’ll get hordes of “reunion” and “nostalgic” acts rolling through town alongside many on the come up. Legends like stoned hip hop act Cypress Hill pictured above will be here in town. Houston, here’s where you should be this week.
Wednesday you can kick things off at Eastdown Warehouse for the Generator’s Playground 4/20 Sixteen show. Alongside a slew of artists and food trucks to cure your munchies, the evening will get headlined with a set from Houston’s B L A C K I E. I feel like you shouldn’t need a weed holiday to catch a set from this guy who’s been pinched by a chunk of the music industry who will always be playing catch up to his future sounds. 2014’s “Imagine Yourself In A Free And Natural World” just proved that he’s so far ahead of the rest of the hip hop industry that they’ll need a time machine to get on his level. The show will also host sets from Devil Killing Moth, Pitter Patter, Free Rads and a bunch more. More details are available here on the 18 and up show with doors at 5 pm and a $10 cover.
If you were lucky enough to grab tickets, then you could head over to the Warehouse Live ballroom to catch a set from the hilarious comic, David Cross. Before Cross was on “Mr Show,” before he was known as an AnalRapist on “Arrested Development,” and before he voiced characters for Tim & Eric, he was a stand-up and a damn fine one. His last album, 2024’s “Bigger and Blackerer” still stands up and he should be a riot to catch live. There’s no word of openers, and there might not be any. The all ages show has since SOLD OUT, so if you have tickets, the doors are at 7:00 pm.
You can still get your laugh on at Improv when Houston’s Rich Williams headlines the iconic venue. Rich is the type of comic that has TV credits, he’s sold out a ton of shows, and he’s home after a lengthy tour. The show will also feature a slew of great comics including Ku Egenti, Son Tran, and Nia DeBose returning from LA alongside others. The 18 and up show has doors at 7:00 and tickets between $20 and $40.
Liz Phair, Photo: David Conger
I’m not the kind of guy who lives in the past with music. Sure, Cypress Hill is touring an old record and that made my ears perk a bit, but it’s not like it’s a different lineup doing it. At Cullen Performance Hall, you can relive the past, sort of when The Smashing Pumpkins come to perform. So, two years ago this guy reforms this band for like the millionth time with a different lineup, and then drops a really terrible album called “Monuments to an Elegy.” Hopefully you can get to hear subpar versions of their better songs. I mention the show because the indie pop rock of Liz Phair will be opening the show. Phair reinvented herself in the early 2024’s, rocketed to success, and then kind of stopped dropping albums or touring. You might know her from her hit song, “Why Can’t I?,” but she has a tendency to play older jams with ease like “Supernova” and “Fuck and Run.” She rarely plays live anymore, so if you’re a fan, this is you chance to see her. The all ages show has doors at 7:30 pm and tickets between $65 and $75.
If you’d rather catch a rare set from Blaze X Black, then you could head to Nightingale Room. The radio hosts and MCs have been dropping jams for a good while, and their latest, “Essentials” is pretty dope. This show will also celebrate Blaze’s birthday for the 21 and up show with doors at 8 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
Satellite Bar will help you get your metal fix when they have a headlining set from Houston’s Ganesha. To be fair, the band is actually from Pasadena and to be more fair, they’re more of a doom psych band. But, their latest release, a single called “Blood Moon Rising” is like if Jim Morrison sang in Fu Manchu. They’ll have the stoner doom of Houston’s Funeral Horse on prior. These guys are a three piece, they sound like a five piece, and their latest album “Divinity For The Wicked” is a mix of Dungeons & Dragons meets doom metal. The doom of Houston’s Funeral Shroud will go on prior, while the metal of Houston’s Vulgernaut, who’ll be dropping a tape at the show, will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
If you just hadn’t had enough 4/20 references yet, then you could catch the annual obligatory set from Curren$y in the ballroom at Warehouse Live. In December of last year, the rapper dropped a new album with “Canal Street Confidential,” and honestly it’s pretty legit. However, the last one of these shows had the rapper barely performing the songs, occasionally dropping a verse here and there while the song, complete with vocals played in the background. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again, and also hopefully I don’t see as many parents who for some reason felt compelled to bring their kids to the VERY Weed Heavy event. I mean, do what you want, but when I see children almost passed out from the massive weed smoke in the air at the show, I have to question how good of a parent you are. The all ages show has doors at 9:30 pm and tickets between $30 and $200, the latter being a VIP option.
Thursday you can get started over at Walters for the screamo sounds of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. The Florida group will be touring the tenth anniversary of their debut album, “Don’t You Fake It.” They’ll also be playing the album in its entirety to celebrate the anniversary. Avion Roe of Dallas will be direct support and opener on the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets are between $15 and $20.
Chase Durousseau. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
One of the funniest Houston comic you might not know, Chase Durousseau will be headlining a set over at Improv. Chase is one of those guys when you see perform, you’re a little blown away by the fact that he’s not blowing up all over the country. I’ve said for a while now that he’s a comic that no one should sleep on, and his jokes are usually perfectly timed while he sips wine with ease. The show will more than likely have two of Houston’s better up and coming comics on as feature act and host, the doors are at 7 pm, and the 18 and up show has tickets for a measly $10 to $20.
If that’s not your thing, then you could go to Mucky Duck for a set from Austin’s Matt The Electrician. The folky singer songwriter has made quite the name for himself over the years as a stellar live act, and his latest release, “Mountains/20 20” is pretty amazing. The 21 and up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $20 and $22.
House of Blues will host the man, the myth, and the legend known as George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic. If this were just George Clinton, then I’d tell you that he was all over Kendrick’s “To Pimp A Butterfly,” but since it’s Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic….where do I begin? This group was the inspiration for so many in scope of live shows, record production, and keeping all things funky. Thundercat is vastly inspired by these guys, and the Parliament album “Chocolate City,” is insane. As far as Funkadelic goes, I’ll just note that they made the landmark album “Maggot Brain,” and that should be enough for you. The all ages show has doors at 7:00 and tickets between $29.50 and $49.50.
If you like country tunes, then you can go to Raven Tower to catch a set from Aubrie Sellers. The daughter of Lee Ann Womack, Sellers has become the household name as of late, and her new release “New City Blues” is a mix of country and garage. The alt country twang of Houston’s best kept country secret, Ruckus will be on hand as direct support and openers, and is an act you need to see ASAP. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
Throwback LA rockers Dr. Boogie will grace the stage over at Satellite Bar. This four piece is like if New York Dolls covered early tunes by the Stones, they’ve become known for a crazed live show, and their album “Gotta’ Get Back To New York City” is a blast from the past. The punk rock R&B of Houston’s Modfag will be on the bill as direct support. If you’ve never caught this bombastic band live, then this is your chance to catch their live show. Their 2024 album, “Paradisio” sounds like what The Makeup always wanted to sound like. California’s Audacity will also be on the show, while Houston’s Silver Blueberry will get things started with their mix of psych and garage rock. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and only an $8 cover.
You can get your punk fix over at Eastdown Warehouse, when legendary group, MDC comes to town. The Austin based punk band, also known as Millions of Dead Cops, has been around since the late seventies. Known for their earlier works than anything else, their last album was 2024’s “Hey Cop!!! If I Had A Face Like Yours.” The old school speed punk of Deathwish will be on as direct support, while the hardcore sounds of Houston’s Khobretti will go on prior. Houston punk, Revels will get the show started as openers for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $15 cover.
El Lago. Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Downstairs at Fitzgerald’s, you could catch the visually trippy and soundscape jams of North Carolina’s Must Be The Holy Ghost. Last year the one man looping act dropped the pretty and intriguing album, “Get Off,” and has made a name for himself as an act you need to catch live. The almost Britpop indie rock of Austin three piece Reservations will be on as direct support, however you should get there early to see Galveston/Houston based band, El Lago. This group is easily becoming one of my favorite new acts, last year they dropped the single “Tell Me How It Ends,” and the four piece is pretty amazing to see live. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets for $15.
Rudyard’s will host the fuzzy garage rock of Brooklyn’s The Mad Doctors. This three piece seems to have a way with a fuzz pedal and a tremolo bar. Their latest release, “Snake Oil Superscience,” is like a kick to the face and they’re known for their intensely high energy when they play live. They’ll have to bring that energy to a whole new level, when Houston’s The Guillotines hop on as direct support. This band personifies the punk side of the garage rock world, and they always seem to have double the energy of whoever they’re playing with. The always entertaining sleaze rock of Houston’s Killer Hearts will open the 21 and up show with doors at 8 pm and an $8 cover.
Roologic’s art curator, Chelsea Mariah will host the I <3 HTX Art show in the Foundation Room at House of Blues. The heavily curated show will feature art from more than a handful of artists like Kara Timmons, Alex Ramos, and many more. The all ages event runs from 8 to 11 pm, and it’s 100% FREE.
You can close out this stacked Thursday over at Little Dipper, when Andy V & Luz of Seize The Beat present the To Aunt Charlie With Love show. The two DJs will be on hand to drop seventies disco tunes for all to groove to. The 21 and up set runs from 10 pm until close and it’s 100% FREE.
Quiet Company. Photo: Jamie Bernstein
Friday you could get going over at Satellite Bar, when Austin’s Quiet Company come to town. The melodic indie rock group has drawn comparisons to Death Cab for Cutie, they have a pretty engaging live show, and their latest release, “Transgressor” from last year proves that they haven’t slowed down. Houston indie pop rock two piece, Catch Fever will be on the bill as direct support. These guys bust their tails, they’re on the cusp of dropping their new EP “You Have All You Need,” and their new set up as a duo is amazing to see live. Houston indie synth pop duo Camera Cult will also be on the show, while the indie rock goodness of Houston’s Alex Riddle will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $8.
Continental Club will have a show from the intense blues of Houston’s John Egan. Egan has a distinct voice coupled with a tick blues heavy guitar tone that everyone should see sooner than later. His latest release, “Amulet” from 2024 is a hell of an album, and he’s a guy to keep an eye on. The 21 and up show has doors at 7 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Scout Bar will host the electro alt rock of Australian three piece, Sick Puppies. From what I hear, this band is insane to see live, and their latest release is a single, “Earth To You” from their upcoming album. Houston hard rock act, Seldom will be on hand as direct support. These guys seem to be doing everything right as of late. A full length and an EP under their belts, a recent tour with Scott Stapp, and now management and a PR team, their latest “Black Mirror” is a sign that they have the ability to get bigger than Houston. A band called Hudson will also be on the show, while The Soapbox Revolution will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $16 and $20.
Raven Tower will have a set from Eleanor Friedberger of the Fiery Furnaces. Here in support of her latest solo album, “New View,” Friedberger has been making waves since going solo in 2024. Friedberger’s backing band will serve as direct support as NYC indie rock four piece, Icewater. The all ages show will have doors at 7 pm and tickets between $10 and $13.
Over in the greenroom at Warehouse Live, you can catch the indie folk of Houston’s Colonial Blue. The four piece will be releasing their new album, “Dear Misery,” and if you’ve never heard them before, I’d recommend seeing them sooner than later, as their singer has a crazy set of pipes. The Bluesy sounds Spring four piece Vanilla Whale will be on as direct support, while DJ Athenz will go on prior. Kenyon Saylor White of American Fangs will open the show with a rare acoustic set. The doors are at 8 pm, it’s all ages and tickets are between $8 and $10.
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down, Photo: Miranda Ellis Hontz
Warehouse Live will host the intriguing sounds of Virginia’s Thao & The Get Down Stay Down over in the studio. The indie pop group rose to popularity with their 2024 album, “We The Common,” and they’re a trip to see live. Their latest release, this year’s “A Man Alive” is already gaining plenty of steam, and adds a new element to the group’s sound. The sassy rock of Louisiana’s Seratones will be on as direct support, and should knock your socks off with their crazy live show. Their latest single, “Sun” should peak your interest in their energetic sound. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets for $15.
Notsuoh will have Austin indie rockers Concrete Robot down for a set. The indie shoegaze duo makes these crazy melodic sounds that are all over their latest EP, “Concrete Robot” from 2024. Houston indie rockers Hear You Me will go on beforehand, while Super Robot Party will open things up with doors at 8 pm and a TBA cover for the 18 and up show.
You could end Friday over at Boondocks for the Haters Make Us Famous show. DJ sets from Damon Allen, GRRRL Parts, Angie Audio, and Hyro will all be behind the decks for the 21 and up show. The doors are at 10 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Jessy Lanza. Photo: Mike Walker
Saturday you can begin at Rice University Central Quad, for the 25th annual Rice Outdoor Show. This year things will get headlined by the R&B inspired vocals of Quebec’s Jessy Lanza. The producer, performer, and singer songwriter has plenty of steam, and her latest releases have been singles, the most recent being “VV Violence.” Houston hip hop group, DEF. will be on hand to go on prior before Lanzy. Formerly Def Perception and complete with DJ Baby Roo who actually scratches records, a full piece band, and RYMNA on the mic, this group is one you shouldn’t sleep on. Their latest single, “Understand/My Place” from last year is pretty legit. The folky sounds of Houston’s Say Girl Say will also perform, where Houston jazz fusion eight piece, Steve Cox’s Beard will go on prior. The electro dance tunes of Austin’s Leach will also be on the fest, and the indie rock goodness of Houston’s Rose Ette will be on hand to get things going. The all ages event has doors at 2:00 and it’s 100% FREE.
Hobby Smokes will be celebrating 4/20 with their 420 Party. The event runs all day and will feature a set from Molon La Vie, as well as live glass blowing from Clutch City Glassworks. The all ages event is BYOB and 100% FREE.
If that’s not your thing, and you want to see a huge amount of punk bands, then you could head to Fitzgerald’s for the Houston Underground Punk Festival. Taking over both the upstairs and downstairs of the venue, sets from The Hates, Poor Dumb Bastards, Commie Hilfiger, Brumes, Fat Mannequin, Kemo For Emo, Some Nerve and many more will be on hand. The list of all the acts with set times is available here, the doors are at 2 pm, and the all ages show has tickets between $12 and $15.
If you’re a fan of The Linus Pauling Quartet, then you should celebrate the digital release of their new album, “Ampalanche,” by catching their set at Cactus Records. The 100% FREE event gets going around 3 pm and there’s gratis beer from Saint Arnold’s for the adults.
Chase Hamblin will be performing a very exclusive set at Heights House. The show, which will be an acoustic set from Hamblin with two backing members, will be limited to seating. It’s all ages, the suggested amount for attending is $20, and things get going around 7 pm. More information and an RSVP is available here.
Calliope Musicals. Photo: Courtesy of Artist
The fully immersive live experience of Austin’s Calliope Musicals will be in town over at Satellite Bar. The six piece makes these sweet little folk meets electro pop tunes in the vein of Apples in Stereo and Of Montreal. This will be their album release party for their new release, “Time Owes You Nothing.” The eclectic indie pop of Houston’s A Girl Named Tiger will be on the bill as direct support, while the poetry meets alt pop of Houston’s The Tomes will go on prior. The alt rock of Houston five piece The Glass will open the all ages show with doors at 7:30 pm and a TBA cover.
Rudyard’s will host the country rock of Nashville’s Susto. The five piece has made quite the name for their blend of traditional Americana and rock to craft a sound that’s closer to Mount Moriah than it is to Wilco. Their 2024 album “Susto” got them on everyone’s radar, while their latest, “Live From The Australian Country Music Hall Of Fame” solidifies their strength as a solid live act. The hauntingly beautiful singer songwriter tunes of Houston’s Keeton Coffman will serve as direct support and opener, and will bring his 2024 album, “The Ghost” to life. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets between $8 and $11.
The fuzz heavy psych of Houston’s Ganesha will headline over at Walters. These guys are like if you took the blues heavy drive of Jimi Hendrix, and took those acid trips further down the rabbit hole. The almost garage sounds of Houston Civeta Dei will be on the show beforehand, while the indie garage sounds of Katy’s A Tribute To The Sun will perform prior. The experimental metal of Filthy Young Impalers will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $5 cover for 21 and up and an $8 cover for everyone else.
Fox Hollow will have another edition of A Really Kool Party. The monthly event will have the in house resident DJ works of Dayta, Gracie Chavez, and Hiram, as well as being hosted by Reko Trill. The special guests for this edition will be none other than Houston’s Flash Gordon Parks, with a special set from DJ Mentoz. The 21 & up event is 100% FREE before 11 pm, and $5 after with doors at 9 pm.
Continental Club will be ready for you to close out your Saturday with a headlining set from James McMurtry. What can I say about this impressive singer songwriter that has been penned before. The guy is first and foremost a hell of a songwriter, his tunes like “Copper Canteen,” and “Choctaw Bingo” personify Texas, and his live shows are always memorable. His latest album, last year’s “Complicated Game” just added to his strength as an artist everyone needs to see sooner than later. The amazingly talented blues twang of Houston’s The Mighty Orq will open things up on the 21 and up show with doors at 10 pm and a $23 cover.
Fat Tony. Photo: Christy J Kim
Sunday you should consider heading over to Raven Tower for the Benefit and BBQ for Jason Kownslar. Aside from the fact that Kownslar has kept you safe at various shows as security for Pegstar, and aside from the fact that he’s a great dude who’s worth showing up for and helping out; this show will be the spot to be. Sets from Fat Tony, Deep Cuts, BLSHS, Grand Old Grizzly, The Beans, DJ Baby Roo, ILL Faded, Rex Hudson, Get A Life, Josiah Gabriel, Bang Bangz(DJ set), RYMNA and many many more will all be on hand. The all ages event gets going at 2 pm and your donations of a $10 suggested cover will 100% go to help Kownslar’s recovery. The full lineup is available here.
Little Dipper will have the Retail Therapy Happy Hour show featuring a DJ set from Zack on Washington, owner of Walters. Vendors on hand will include FYHA, Deep End Records, and more for the 21 & up event that runs from 4 until 7 pm and is 100% FREE.
Over at Walters you could catch the popular indie pop rock of Brooklyn’s Laura Stevenson. Stevenson has become quite the media darling, and rightfully so. Her live shows are full of energy and her latest release, last year’s “Cocksure” is pretty damn catchy. The electro bubblegum pop of New York’s Crying will be on as direct support, and their album “Get Olde/Second Wind” is something you’ll be happy to place in your ears. The indie pop of Florida’s Chris Farren will open the all ages show with doors at 6:30 pm and tickets between $12 and $16.
Janeane Garofalo. Photo: Courtesy of Artist
If you’d rather laugh, then you could catch a set from Janeane Garofalo at Warehouse Live. For what seems like a long time since she’s done stand up, this show could be one that you’d be sorry that you missed. The seated show in the ballroom will have the riotous Dale Cheesman as the feature act, while Dusti Rhodes will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $25 and $28.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, you could stop by House of Blues for a set from legendary hip hop group, Cypress Hill. Touring in support of the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “Cypress Hill” from 1991, these guys got a whole generation of kids to light a blunt and chill. I mean, they were in an episode of “The Simpsons,” and as someone who’s seen them before, I can attest to their live strengths. The hip hop of Nashville’s Jellyroll will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets between $25 and $35.
Monday you could roll by Satellite Bar to get your groove on with Zech. This guy is a producer who’s never stopped short of blowing me away with a crazy and intense live show. No frills, just tripped out jams that hit with intensity. He’ll have the groovy R&B based jams of HAKEEM on prior, and this duo drops most tunes like they’re hot. Their latest release is “V,” and it’s pretty amazeballs. The intense beats and trap heavy tunes of Eroda One will open things up. His latest was “Flex II” and he’s definitely worth getting there early for. The all ages show will also have crawfish on hand with doors at 7 pm and a $5 cover for 21 and up, $8 for the kids.
Ghost BC. Photo: Eric Canto
Tuesday you can get started at House of Blues for the bizarre antics of Swedish group, Ghost BC. These guys get dressed up in costumes, they have a crazy live show, and they pretty much live in secrecy. However, their 2024 album, “Meliora” is pretty solid and they’ve had some serious hits from it. These guys are entertaining to say the least and they don’t come to town often. They’ll have the Sweden’s newer band, Tribulation will open things upon the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $27.50 and $45.
Satellite Bar will have a show featuring the synthy dream pop of Ohio duo, The Receiver. These two have made a name for their dreamy pop jams, and last year’s “All Burn” is pretty catchy. The lo-fi experimental sounds of Houston’s Bell & Tom will be on as direct support, while the indie singer songwriter tunes of Houston’s Eli Winter will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 7:30 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
Studded Left (Formerly Indian Jewelry). Photo: Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Of course, you might want to head to Walters to see what the deal is with Indian Jewelry. I say that because after a long time, the band has decided to change their name to Studded Left for some reason. Either way, whatever they go by, this band is amazing. For starters their live shows are intense, their newest album “Doing Easy” is stellar, and I’ve found that their sets at Walters are when they sound the best. The collaborative and insane sounds of Brooklyn’s SSPS will be on as direct support, where the house techno dance jams of Houston’s Miguel Flaco will go on beforehand. MaraMuresh will also be on hand, and three DJ sets from John Calero, Bill Converse, and Tiago Varjao will open things up. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and a measly $5 cover.
That’s really all that’s happening around town. No matter what you do and where you go, please do it in the safest way possible, drink like an adult, and remember that a safe ride home is just an app away.
