Pop, rock, country, hip-hop, alternative, and more, a week hasn’t gone by in this fair city without a single music fan having a legitimate live show to call their own over the last few months. This week is no different with a mix of exciting acts old and new visiting stages across Houston. Here are the 10 best shows to see over the next seven days.
Friday, October 13
Swedish chart-topper Tove Lo makes a Houston pit-stop between ACL Festival slots at the House of Blues on Friday. Like any great female pop-star, Tove Lo keeps it real, preaching a message of female empowerment with solid hooks, bold sexuality and a dynamic live set that will include hit songs “Talking Body,” “Cool Girl,” and “Habits (Stay High),” which has the distinction of being the only song about visiting sex clubs to hit No. 2 on the Billboard charts. Daye Jack opens. Tickets start at $25. The show starts at 7 pm.
Saturday, October 14
Country music fans will get their fix at the ZiegenBock Music Festival at Sam Houston Race Park Saturday with a full day of rootsy, acoustic driven performances by Josh Abbot Band, Whiskey Myers with Shooter Jennings, Jamestown Revival and more. The most interesting performer on the line-up is Aaron Lewis, lead singer of dark, moody rock band Staind, who has been achieving success as a solo balladeer on the country circuit, gaining crossover with his recent, powerful cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence.” Tickets start at $29.50. Gates open at 11 am.
In a surely coincidental but dramatic bit of programming, Toronto’s thrilling avant garde, noise-driven dance act Crystal Castles play at White Oak Music Hall. Crystal Castles, led by Ethan Kahn, replaced enigmatic lead singer Alice Glass after a messy breakup with Edith Frances in 2014. Amazingly, Glass, who has been touring with Marilyn Manson, will be at the Bronze Peacock at House of Blues the following night behind her solo, self-titled album. Crystal Castles, touring behind 2016 release Amnesty (I) will open with the wonderfully named Farrows and Tee Vee. Tickets are $25 in advance, show starts at 8 pm. Alice Glass tickets are $17 in advance, show starts at 7 pm.
Sunday, October 15
Austin indie-rock torchbearers Spoon will also trek down Highway 290 following their Saturday main stage evening set at ACL behind their latest, the acclaimed Hot Thoughts at House of Blues. Spoon has made an indelible mark on the musical landscape thanks to expertly produced classics such as mid-2000s albums Kill The Moonlight and Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga and Hot Thoughts ranks right up there with another set of dancefloor worthy bangers, sung by the rock heartthrob Britt Daniel. Tickets are $35-$55. I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness opens. Show starts at 7 pm.
You haven’t lived if you haven’t taken the one-hour drive down the Gulf Freeway to Galveston, spent an afternoon on the beach or on The Strand or taken in a show at the exquisite Grand 1894 Opera House. Surf-rock luminaries The Beach Boys will play this Sunday at the gorgeously built venue – there isn’t a bad seat in the house – and while they’ll be without lead songwriter Brian Wilson, Uncle Jesse himself, John Stamos has been making appearances behind the drum-kit during recent tours. Tickets to both shows are sold out. Show starts at 7 pm.
Monday, October 16
Canadian indie act with East Coast roots – shout out to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island – Alvvays has made two gorgeous albums of melancholy bubblegum dream pop and if the world had a better sense of music taste, they’d be megastars. Recalling the best years of Belle and Sebastian and Teenage Fanclub, Alvvays’ Antisocialites may just be the best album of the year. A band for those who love music (check out the earworm, “Marry Me Archie” from their 2014 debut as proof of their magic), the quartet’s appearance at White Oak Music Hall will be a treat. Nap Eyes opens. Tickets are a reasonable $15 in advance/$20 at the door. Show starts at 7 pm.
Tuesday, October 17
Those needing a little spectacle will surely appreciate The Weeknd’s Starboy World Tour when it comes into Toyota Center. The Toronto R&B pop star made huge waves with the No. 1 2015 hit “Can’t Feel My Face,” which led to another No. 1 collaboration with Daft Punk on “Starboy.” The guy is untouchable right now. Nav and French Montana will open. Tickets start at $39.75. Show starts at 7 pm.
Wednesday, October 18
Famed Bristol, U.K. trip-hop star Tricky will attract those who are fans of thick, green smoke at shows – that’s not the fog machine, folks – when he comes to White Oak Music Hall. While he’s been hit or miss lately, Tricky’s ‘90s tentpole albums Maxinquaye and Pre-Millennium Tension were world-beaters and brought the sound of one of the coolest sub-genres to audiences everywhere. Tickets are $25. In The Valley Below opens. Show starts at 7 pm.
Say what you want about Macklemore, the Seattle rapper has been at the forefront of social issues over the course of his career, touting marriage equality that landed him in shark-infested waters when he played a rugby match in Australia a few weeks ago. Rather than kowtowing to the conservative politicians in that country, who were against him performing, Macklemore made his position clear from the outset of that performance in a show of defiance. He bring his new solo album, Gemini, which has endeared himself to seniors everywhere, along with hits about thrift-shop bargains, to the House of Blues. Tickets start at $36. One dollar from every ticket will go towards advancing racial and social injustice through the M&RL Equity Fund. Doors open at 7 pm.
Thursday, October 19
Kanye West protégé Kid Cudi hits the Revention Music Center with his Passion, Pain & Demon Slaying Tour. He’s worked with some of the best in the business, including Jay Z, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and a huge sign of success, Michael Bolton. Tickets start at $45. Show starts at 7 pm.
Austin indie-rock torchbearers Spoon will also trek over from ACL for a House of Blues appearance on Sunday.
