Those hoping to see Chance the Rapper this week are probably still feeling the sting this week as his January 26 show at Toyota Center was cancelled due to personal reasons.
But take heart, local music fans. There are plenty of shows on the 2020 horizon. Galveston's Mardi Gras! just announced their music lineup for the two-week fest. Pop star Halsey recently announced a June stop at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Tim McGraw and Matchbox 20 announced August shows at the Pavilion as well.
And we also have a decent week of concerts ahead to celebrate. CultureMap's biggest, best, and most notable shows of the week are as follows:
Dwight Yoakum at Arena Theatre
Fun fact: Dwight Yoakum used to date actress Sharon Stone. Things ended so badly, he wrote the songs "Fast As You" and "Heart of Stone." Eesh. Thankfully, Houston crowds are in good graces with the recent inductee to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, who plays regularly in the Bayou City.
This marks his first appearance since his stop at White Oak Music Hall for the LSD tour with Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle in 2018. He hasn't released any new material in some time, but his nearly 25-year catalog will surely feature a ton of hits, such as "Guitars, Cadillacs," "Honky Tonk Man," and "Little Ways." Fans of old school country won't want to miss it. Call it a warm-up for the big show when RodeoHouston comes around in March.
Dwight Yoakum plays Arena Theatre, located at 7326 Southwest Fwy, on Thursday, January 23. Tickets start at $85 plus fees. Show starts at 9 p.m.
Queensrÿche at HOB
Classic rock fans of a certain age will be flashing the devil's horns when the Pacific Northwest act Queensrÿche takes the stage. The hard rock-heavy metal band has sold 20 million albums worldwide since their inception in 1980.
Most followers of the Rÿche will no doubt be on hand to hear their classics, mostly centered around their 1988 breakthrough Operation: Mindcrime and 1990's Empire, including "I Don't Believe in Love," "Jet City Woman," and "Silent Lucidity." While original lead singer Geoff Tate isn't touring, new vocalist Todd La Torre is more than capable of hitting the high notes.
Queensrÿche is at House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Thursday, January 23. John 5 and Adam to Eve open. Tickets start at $29.50 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Biz Markie at HOB
Lovers of many music genres will find something to love when New York City rapper, DJ, and beatboxer Biz Markie returns to House of Blues with his Decades Collide '80s vs. '90s tour. While now known mostly for one song, "Just a Friend," Biz enjoyed a some time in the spotlight in the late '80s and early '90s with humorous songs that found a home on MTV back when it played music. The nostalgia for those days lives on in pop culture, which makes Biz the perfect curator for a fun evening to be paired with dancing shoes.
Biz Markie mixes the hits at House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Friday, January 24. Tickets start at $15 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap recommends: Robert Ellis at Heights Theater
For the first part of his career, hometown hero Robert Ellis, played the role of a somewhat-serious troubadour. But on his latest album, last year's Texas Piano Man, Ellis dons an all-white suit and cowboy hat and leans into his pop sensibilities, producing perhaps his most fun-loving album and certainly his most critically acclaimed.
It tackles Texas clichés and turns them on their head, while paying a nod to the things that make the Lone Star State great, like album closer "Topo Chico," and the changing times with "Nobody Smokes Anymore." Ellis will be fully invested in his Texas Piano Man — akin to an Elton-John-loving drifter — at Heights Theater, playing a solo piano set.
Robert Ellis plays solo at Heights Theater, located at 339 W 19th St., on Friday, January 24. Jamie McDell opens. Tickets start at $22 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap show of the week: Trey Anastasio at HOB
Phish heads will be ready to get trippy when that famed Vermont jam band's talented guitarist Trey Anastasio appears on the House of Blues stage. Anastacio may have found fame with his first band, but he's been nothing but prolific as a solo artist, recording and releasing well over a dozen albums of experimental music incorporating psych-rock, free jazz, and jam band indulgences.
Most recently, he worked on the band-oriented Ghosts of the Forest project, released last year. In other words, things will get wavy-gravy when he and his Trey Anastasio Band take off.
Trey Anastasio headlines House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Saturday, January 25. Tickets start at $49.50 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Wale at HOB
First gaining prominence after catching the ear of uber-producer Mark Ronson in the MySpace era, Washington, D.C. rapper Wale succeeded in topping the charts with 2013's The Gifted. But that wouldn't have been possible without his collaborations with other hip-hop luminaries, including Lady Gaga, Gucci Mane, Miguel, Usher, Rick Ross, and Waka Flocka Flame as well as an ear for great samples — listen for the bed springs in hit song, "Bad." While his last few albums lost some creative momentum, he's back on the road behind last year's Wow...That's Crazy.
Wale throws down at House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Sunday, January 26. Tickets start at $25 plus fees. Yowda and DJ Money also appear. Doors open at 7 pm.
Robert Ellis will play a solo piano show at Heights Theater on Friday, January 24.
