For many, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is about the attractions, the midway, the animals, cowboys, and the food. However, central to all that is RodeoHouston, which will draw hundreds of thousands of attendees hoping to catch their favorite music act following the bull-riding, calf roping and chuckwagon races on the floor of the immense NRG Stadium.
The organizers for RodeoHouston outdid themselves this year, not only bringing in a huge new stage with all the bells and whistles, but programming one of the most stacked country line-ups in recent memory. There’s also a mix of pop, soul, and Latin music to provide some variety for an increasingly diverse rodeo fanbase.
Here are the shows CultureMap is most hyped to see over the course of the next 20 nights.
Blake Shelton
Thursday, March 1
Blake Shelton was already pretty huge before he made it on television as a judge on The Voice. He's had 17 No. 1 country singles in a row, had that handsome cowboy charm and always pulled in gorgeous women. His turn on The Voice and tabloids made him a superstar, and it didn’t hurt that he continued to crank out the hits including “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” and “Neon Light.” This should be one of the biggest shows of RodeoHouston.
For fans of: Reality singing competition shows, country ballads, rugged good looks
Are there seats left?
Yes, but they are either really expensive or really high up. Chute Seats & Upper Level are still available.
Leon Bridges
Friday, March 2
Forget the controversy over this booking, Leon Bridges is a legit star, as anyone who saw him perform at Super Bowl Live can attest. Even though he has only one album to his credit, Coming Home, it’s a doozy that recalls a simpler time on the radio airwaves when Otis Redding and Sam Cooke ruled the airwaves. Don’t be surprised if this performance turns out to be one of the most talked about of the rodeo season.
For fans of: Retro soul, killer vocals, oldies
Are there seats left?
Plenty. Chairman's Club, Chute Seats, Club, Loge & Upper Level
Kelsea Ballerini
Saturday, March 3
Want to see a star before she goes supernova? Kelsea Ballerini is on the same track to blowing up like her predecessor, Taylor Swift. She started writing her own songs when she was a teenager, moved to Nashville before she could drive, and signed a record deal when most kids were graduating high school. She’s one pop record detour and a few celebrity boyfriends away from being massive. Be there to say you saw her before she is selling out stadiums on her own accord.
For fans of: Tay-tay before she went pop, fresh new country faces
Are there seats left?
Yes. Chairman's Club, Chutes Seats, Club & Upper Level
Alessia Cara
Sunday, March 4
The Grammy award winner for Best New Artist comes into RodeoHouston on a hot streak, having been featured on the extremely popular Moana soundtrack and the world beating, suicide awareness Logic track, "1-800-273-8255." Her R&B pop tunes add a nice change of pace in a sea of country performers and her positive message with make the Sunday slot one for families to attend, so expect a fun, entertaining set from the Canadian pop star.
For fans of: The Moana soundtrack, pop radio, Canadians
Are there seats left?
Expect these seats to go fast closer to show time. Chairman's Club, Chutes Seats, Club & Upper Level
Luke Bryan
Thursday, March 8
Few country artists make the audiences swoon more than Luke Bryan, who has brought some sexy back to the often earnest country genre that often prefers rein it in and let the songs do the talking. But Bryan's live show has brought the ladies flocking (and probably a few dudes too) and he's been rewarded with the CMT Award for Entertainer of the Year.
And while Bryan can write a country ballad with the best of them, he's more apt to let the good times roll, evidenced by him naming albums, Spring Break...Checkin' Out. While that may draw the side-eye from country purists, those who bought any of his sevem million album sales will surely be ready to get down with him when he hits the stage at RodeoHouston.
For fans of: Hip-grinding, a little spice with their country, nice smiles
Are there seats left?
They're going fast. Chute Seats, Standing Room Only & Singles
Zac Brown Band
Monday, March 12
The Zac Brown Band makes a return appearance following their 2017 set and is widely revered as one of the better live country bands performing today. The eight-piece Atlanta-based outfit mixes a lot of sounds into it's brew of Southern roots music, which has found them writing songs with such varied artists such as Jimmy Buffett, the jam-focused String Cheese Incident, and the late rocker Chris Cornell. Expect to hear old favorites and new songs from 2017's hit Welcome Home.
For fans of: Jamming out, eclectic sounds, tattoos
Are there seats left?
Lots to choose from. Chairman's Club, Chutes Seats & Upper Level
OneRepublic
Wednesday, March 14
OneRepublic fits into the Blink-182 rock slot of this year's edition of RodeoHouston, offering up a palate cleanser after all the country ballads. This Colorado Springs, Colorado pop-rock band hit the big time with their 2013 hit "Counting Stars," but they've actually been making waves since their Timbaland remixed 2007 hit "Apologize." Both those songs hit No. 2 on the Hot 100 Billboard charts.
While some country die-hards might be scratching their heads, asking themselves who these guys are, guaranteed you've heard their songs blaring from Top 40 radio stations for sometime now.
For fans of: Rock and pop radio, the Mumford and Sons, astronomy
Are there seats left?
Plenty. Chairman's Club, Chutes Seats, Club & Upper Level
Keith Urban
Thursday, March 15
It's not an awards show without seeing Keith Urban with his famous movie-star wife, two people who are way better looking than anyone has the right to be. But Urban was famous on his own right before marrying Nicole Kidman, the Australian infiltrating Nashville to be a country mainstay, with his 2002 album Golden Road being named by Billboard as the biggest country hit of the decade.
He's produced over 20 No. 1 country singles and continues to produce at a prolific rate that almost matches his awards show appearances. Oh yeah, and the 2017 CMT Favorite Male Country Artist puts on one helluva show too.
For fans of: Academy award-winning actresses, country dudes with hipster haircuts, funny accents
Are there seats left?
Yes, but they are going quickly. Chairman's Club, Chutes Seats & Upper Level
Chris Stapleton
Friday, March 16
No other C&W star is making bigger waves than Christ Stapleton, who has made friends with the world's biggest pop stars in Justin Timberlake, even appearing on the former boy band star's new album. But it's his music and killer, old-time country voice that is winning millions of new fans.
Having spent years writing songs for country hitmakers, Stapleton hit the jackpot with the excellent 2015 release Traveller and the two volume 2017 set From A Room. RodeoHouston smartly brought him back after a well-received 2017 set. Expect this show to sell out by the time March 16 comes around.
For fans of: The Highwaymen, '70s rebel country music, Justin Timberlake
Are there seats left?
Hardly. This is one of the most in-demand shows of RodeoHouston. Standing room only.
Garth Brooks
Sunday, March 18
This is how you start and end with a bang — by booking not only the highest-selling artist in country music, but the highest selling solo artist of all time (170 million albums sold) for not one, but two shows. (As we reported, Brooks brought the house down on RodeoHouston’s epic opening night.)
How did the unassuming Oklahoman get to be so massive? For starters, he knows his way around a melody and his numerous hits showcase an aptitude to pluck the heartstrings of the common man better than anyone else. Expect to hear all your favorites from “The Dance,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Two Pina Coladas,” “Friends In Low Places,” and many more.
For fans of: The merging of old and new country into a powerhouse mainstream crossover behemoth
Are there seats left?
The resale market is the only place to find them, going for as little as $59 plus fees for nosebleed seats and as much as $473 plus fees for prime spots down front.
Luke Bryan will get an early start to the weekend ahead when he struts his stuff on Thursday, March 8.
