Mallwalkers: The Best of The Week
Fred Thomas. Photo: Jimmi Francoeur/Riot Act Media
Now that Super Bowl is a distant memory, things are truly starting to feel normal again. This week, the city will see multiple tours from the likes of Fred Thomas, Devendra Banhart, John Doe, and more with locals dropping sets as well. Houston, the next week is all planned out.
Wednesday you can begin at White Oak Music Hall downstairs when the indie rock of California’s Joyce Manor brings their emo-tinged goodness to the big stage. Riding high after the critical acclaim of their previous releases, their latest, Cody from late last year, is a new direction for the four piece. The folk punk of AJJ, formerly Andrew Jackson Jihad will provide direct support while the indie gruff of Philadelphia’s Mannequin Pussy will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $16 and $20.
Over in the studio at Warehouse Live you can get groovy with the R&B of Ro James. James has been dropping plenty of jams from his latest release ELDORADO, and the sultry nature of his songs means that this show might sell out. Candice Boyd will provide direct support while the soul sounds of California’s MAJOR will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $24 and $27.
Mockingbird Brother. Photo: Josef Kintley
Thursday you could head to Notsuoh for the post rock indie goodness of St. Louis’ Mariner. This four piece makes some pretty epic sounding songs, and their latest release, Bury You, is definitely worth hearing in person. Houston’s Mockingbird Brother will provide direct support with all their emo goodness while the dream pop of Houston’s Astragal will go on prior. The math rock of Galveston’s Blast Dad will open the 18 & up show with a $7 cover and doors at 7 pm.
Upstairs at White Oak Music Hall you could welcome back the family sounds of Eisley. While it’s been a little over three years since the band dropped a full length album, they’ve been releasing singles as of late with the progressive sounding “Louder Than A Lion” as their most recent. The pop rock of Nashville’s Civilian will provide direct support while the alt rock of Backwards Dancer will open the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $15 and $17.
Arlo’s will host the beginning of a new series called Goflex & Chill featuring diverse DJ’s and party games as well. The 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm will feature sets from Mentoz Fresh, Post Boyz, and Lobo and it’s 100% FREE.
Mucky Duck will host the gorgeous vocals of NOLA’s Andrew Duhon. Mixing folk and Americana, Duhon offers up a road weary sound accompanied by subtle melodies that are difficult to shake. His latest release, 2024’s The Moorings, was nominated for a Grammy and it still hits today. The 21 & up show has doors at 9:30 pm and tickets between $20 and $22.
On Friday you can get started at Warehouse Live in the studio for another edition of Kiki Maroon’s Burly Q Lounge. The show that mixes live music, comedy, and burlesque is kind of a throwback to vaudeville while still keeping fresh and inventive. This edition will see music from Ryan Adam Wells as well as a special burlesque performance from Lollie Bombs. The 18 & up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $25 seated.
John Doe. Photo: Jim Harrington
Of course, if you’re a fan of LA punk band X, then you might want to head to Mucky Duck to catch a solo set from founding member John Doe. Last year Doe dropped the pretty amazing album The Westerner and having the opportunity to catch him in such an intimate setting doesn’t come often. The 21 & up show has doors at 7 pm and tickets between $25 and $7.
Downstairs on the big stage at White Oak Music Hall, the always engaging tunes of California’s Devendra Banhart. Quirky and without apology, Banhart has always made music that’s hard to compartmentalize, while his live shows are always a blast. His latest release, Ape In Pink Marble, from last year is a little softer while not deterring too much from his previous releases. There’s no word of openers or support, but that will more than likely change on the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $25 and $33.
We Were Wolves. Photo: Randy Edwards
Nightingale Room will host a barn burner when We Were Wolves bring their full throttled rock to the Main Street room. These guys are a nonstop party with a live show that’s as intense as the riffs from 2024’s Ruin Your Weekend. The punk rock of Dead To The World will open things for the 100% FREE 21 & up show with doors at 7 pm.
Over at Walter’s the lo-fi garage rock of Detroit’s Tyvek will make their return to our fine city. Kind of like catching a tornado indoors, their live sets are pretty legendary while their latest album Origin of What from last year is pretty amazing. The critically acclaimed sounds of Fred Thomas will be on hand as direct support, and while his previous record was loved by all, his latest, Changer from this year, has him sounding like a modern day Lou Reed. Houston’s indie rock darlings Rose Ette will also be on the bill with a new cassette single to be releases as well, while the college rock of Huntsville’s The Hammer Party will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a measly $10 cover.
The Secret Group will have the tiniest comedy show going, upstairs on their balcony with the Bad Idea show. Hosted by Zahid Dewji, the show is limited to how many people can fit on the club’s rooftop balcony and will have out of town comics alongside Britt Vasicek, Zach Dickson, and many more. The pay what you can show is all ages and has doors at 8 pm.
Satellite Bar will host a set from electronica act Rex Hudson. Started as a one man band, Hudson has grown things into a full band with lush sounds from his debut release No Return. The chillwave of Houston’s Whale Bones will provide direct support where St. Evie will go on prior. Passerby will open the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover for adults or $12 for under 21.
El Lago. Photo: Bayou City Photography
Rockefeller’s will have the album release from Houston’s Dollie Barnes. While the group has grown leaps and bounds since they began as a solo effort, their new album Caught In A Phase is pretty stellar, and their live sets are always fun. Houston’s Young Mammals will bring their indie rock goodness on as support while the dreamy rock of Galveston’s El Lago will open the 18 & up show with doors at 8 pm and a $10 cover.
On Saturday, if you missed Dollie Barnes at Rockefeller’s then you can swing by Cactus to catch an in-store set from the band. Performing songs from their new album Caught In A Phase, the all ages event gets going at 3 pm, and the 100% FREE set will have gratis beer for the adults.
Later on at The Secret Group, California punk legends Agent Orange will swing by to perform. Formed in the late seventies, these guys haven’t slowed down much, their live shows are always full of energy, and their latest release Real Live Sound, a live album, is over 25 years old. Late 90s punks Guttermouth will be on as direct support, while the never grow up pop punk of The Queers will go on prior. The insane energy of garage punks The Atom Age will open the all ages show with doors at 6 pm and tickets between $20 and $23.
Brumes. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Alt rock pop group Save Ferris will take the big stage at White Oak Music Hall downstairs. Converting from ska to pop, the 90s holdovers have recently returned with a new record, Checkered Past from this year. Houston horror punks, Brumes will open the all ages show with doors at 7:30 pm and tickets between $18 and $22.
Over at Walter’s you could get down at the Skin In The Game show. Featuring sets from Tim Woods and Flygerwoods, the show features DJ’s and hip hop acts that are worth making it out for. There’s more information here for the all ages show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $5.
Big Top will host Splice Records singer/songwriter night featuring the road weary sounds of Arthur Yoria. Yoria has been dropping true gems as of late, his live sets are fun and feel intimate, and his latest single “Shake” is pretty hard to ignore. Buxton’s Sergio Trevino will also be on hand to perform while Heath Ledet is also scheduled to perform on the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm and an $8 cover.
George West. Photo: Uncredited/Courtesy of Artist/Facebook
Over at Wonky Power Live, Houston’s George West will be on hand to drop his new EP, Palmetto. Of all the acts associated with the Wonky Power label, West is the one to keep the closest eye on as next level sounds, merch, and an intense work ethic mean he’s the sleeper act from their roster. His mix of chill wave and ambient music is something to behold and his live shows are definitely worth checking out. The show also features sets from DJ DNICE, Josiah Gabriel, and an opening performance from Melting Pot with doors at 8:30 pm and tickets for $5.
Grand Prize will have another edition of Love Tempo with Andy V and Luz. The good time get-down jams from these sets are always worth making it out for and this edition will feature a guest slot from Dallas’ P2P. The 21 & up show gets going around 9 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
The Alley Theater is branching out and is hosting a set from Houston’s The Hue. If you’ve never caught this group then you’ve definitely been sleeping, as their latest album, Aurora from last year, is pretty stellar and their energetic sets are pretty amazing, too. The event, titled Top Billin, will get going after the showing of Syncing Ink, it’s 18 & up, and it gets going around 10 pm or so. It’s 100% FREE with RSVP, found here.
On Sunday you could head over to the Bronze Peacock Room at House of Blues for the alt country of Dallas’ Wilderado. The four-piece has been making a steady stream of fans since their debut dropped a couple of years ago. Lately they’ve dropped a steady stream of singles including the catchy “Under The Weather.” They’ll also have the Americana of Houston’s Ruckus on as direct support and the twangy good time sounds of Second Lovers on as openers. The all ages show has doors at 7 pm and tickets for $10.
Tuesday you might want to head to Rudyard’s for the always popular show, Grownup Storytime. Presented by Boo Town, the show usually sells out the early show, so make sure you get there early. The 21 & up show has shows at 8 pm and 10 pm, both with a $5 cover.
Jonathan Richman. Photo: Angelina Castillo/High Road Touring
Continental Club will have the storied tunes of the always impressive Jonathan Richman by to perform. Richman has made quite the name, if not for anything other than his songs and appearances in the film There’s Something About Mary. While his last album came out in 2010, it should be noted that you’ll more than likely hear new songs as well as old favorites. His longtime drummer Tommy Larkins will be in tow for the 21 & up show with doors at 8 pm and tickets for $15.
The Secret Group will host another Sci-Fi Movie Night with Houston rapper Guilla. This edition will show the film “Dune,” and will also feature a DJ set from Mark Drew. The all ages event has doors at 8 pm and it’s 100% FREE.
That’s about all that’s happening around town this week. No matter what you decide, remember that drinking like an adult is in everyone’s best interest, so taking a safe ride home is greatly appreciated.
