Oh man, is this gonna be a crazy weekend for concerts. Personally, I’m going to four, starting tonight. Walter’s on Washington is putting on a free show including Benjamin Wesley, Roky Moon, and a few other locals starting at 10. I was there at last Thursday’s free Walter’s show and loved every band that went on.

Friday night, the two big name bands playing Houston are going to be the Crystal Method at Rich’s and Phoenix at the Verizon Wireless Theater. If I weren’t going to see the French indie-rock band Phoenix I’d definitely be hitting up Rich’s. The Crystal Method put out a great album earlier this year called Divided by Night and it includes cameos from Jewish rapper Matisyahu and Joy Division/New Order bassist Peter Hook. Other acts here on Friday night include Austin Texas band Language Room at Dean’s Credit Clothing, Chaka Kan at the Arena Theater, and HIM at House of Blues.

Saturday will see Mayhem on Main at The Continental Club, a big show with lots of local bands including Summer Fest performers: Something Fierce, Spain Colored Orange and The Mahas. Van Morrison is going to play the Cynthia Mitchell Woods pavilion; I tried getting tickets to see him but they were $$$. I’m going to see the Dead Weather on Saturday anyway, at the House of Blues. The super-group includes White Stripes bad ass Jack White, with the sultry vocals from the Kills’ Allison Mosshart, bass from the Greenhornes’ Jack Lawrence, and keys and drums by Queens of the Stone Age’s Dean Ferita. It’s going to be ridiculous. But if you’re feeling like you want to hear some crazy-metal-Christmas tunes or something then Trans Siberian Orchestra will be performing at the Toyota Center.

Sunday Houston will be hosting two really special performers at the Verizon Wireless Theater: Keith Emerson and Greg Lake of phenomenal 70s prog-rock band Emerson, Lake, and Palmer (I will be in row H). The two will be performing a set of music from ELP, King Crimson, and The Nice on grand piano and acoustic guitar. If you’re into Limp Bizkit or Seether (Lord knows I ain’t) the twenty fourth annual Buzzfest will be taking place on Sunday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands but it’s sold out so you’ll probably have to go to Stubhub.com or other really $$$ ticket speculators. Dr. Dog will be playing Warehouse Live with indie-rockers Deer Tick both of which I’ve heard are phenomenal.