Must-See Summer Concerts

10 must-see summer concerts: Houston's music scene is really heating up

One of the better things that comes with Houston's stifling summer heat? A ridiculously good lineup of concerts that attracts all kinds of audiences.

Break out the piggy bank and group text, because it's already time to plan your big summer night. This Houston concert season is shaping up as one of the best in recent memory.

Here are 10 Must-See shows:

1. Backstreet Boys

No, your eyes are not fooling you. This iconic 1990s boy band is on a World Tour, which will include songs from their latest album, In A World Like This, as well as hits from the peak of their stardom. Maybe it's time to dust off your CDs from more than a decade ago and listen to "I Want It That Way" and "Larger Than Life" to refresh your memory.

Oh and did I mention Avril Lavigne will be there too?

The details: Thursday, June 5th, 7 p.m.; Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion; tickets from $22.50

2. H-Town Beat Down featuring Kendrick Lamar, Trey Songz, Future, J. Cole, Slim Thug, Paul Wall, Z-Ro and Trae tha Truth.

If you tuned into the Grammy's, you would have seen Macklemore's acceptance for Best Rap Album of the Year. Everyone's heard about his immediate instagram apology that claimed Lamar got robbed and was the true winner.

This on-the-rise rapper is a definite crowd pleaser with his knockouts "Swimming Pools" and "m.A.A.d city". Not to mention the rest of the lineup includes the best of Houston's own.

The details: Friday, June 20th, 7 p.m.; BBVA Compass Stadium; tickets from $38.

3. Goo Goo Dolls & Daughtry with the Plain White T’s

Prepare your picnic blankets for a summer night of great American rock with the noteworthy Goo Goo Dolls teaming up with American Idol alumni Chris Daughtry. This combination will allow concert goers to enjoy their longstanding favorites as well as get a taste for another similar artist.

The details: Friday, June 27th, 6:45 p.m.; Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion; tickets from $24.50

4. The Fray

If their name doesn't strike you as a must-see, go check out your Spotify to be pleasantly surprised with the number of hits you know, such as "How to Save a Life" and "Never Say Never." The smaller venue will be sure to provide a more intimate setting for this somehow soothing take on rock.

The details: Sunday, June 29th, 6:30 p.m.; Bayou Music Center; tickets from $39.50

5. Queen & Adam Lambert

Adam Lambert is aware of the daunting task of filling in for the legendary Freddie Mercury, but with his fierce stage presence and breathtaking vocals, the renditions of classics like "We Are the Champions" and "Somebody to Love" are not something to miss.

The details: Wednesday, July 9th, 6:30 p.m.; Toyota Center; tickets from $35

6. Lady Gaga

Get ready for a visual show in addition to eccentric vocals, because Gaga is not backing down with the number of outrageous, racy costumes she is bringing to her Artpop tour. Despite the low popularity of her most recent album, expect to hear her originals like "Poker Face" in addition to the more recent hits, "Applause" and "Do What U Want".

The details: Wednesday, July 16th, 7:30 p.m.; Toyota Center; tickets from $35

7. The Neighbourhood

Never heard of this indie rock band new to the scene? How about their chart topper "Sweater Weather"? Listen to their more unknown but capturing songs "Afraid" and "Female Robbery" before checking them out in person and getting hooked.

The details: Thursday, July 17th, Venue: Bayou Music Center Opening Act: Tickets $29.50

8. Beyoncé & Jay Z

The only thing that could make this concert any better is if Solange barges on stage and goes after Jay-Z. Get ready for this iconic couple to take over Minute Maid Park for what's sure to be Houston's hottest summer ticket.

Perhaps you should practice singing "Drunk In Love" at the top of your lungs a couple hundred times too.

The details: Friday, July 18th, 7:30 p.m.; Minute Maid Park; tickets from $108

9. Tim McGraw with Cassadee Pope and Kip Moore

Tim McGraw is your go-to country cowboy with favorites like "Something Like That" and "Truck Yeah", but what about newcomer Cassadee Pope? Winner of The Voice Season 3, this girl has pipes. Check out the Country Top 10 number "Wasting All These Tears" or my personal favorite, her original audition for The Voice.

The details: Saturday, August 9th, 6 p.m.; Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion Opening Act: Kip Moore & Cassadee Pope Tickets: $29.75 - $70

10. One Direction

If you are a man reading this, buy tickets now for any female in your life (or yourself, no judgment here). And if you're a woman, well unless you are completely uneducated about the most remarkable boy band of our time, you either already have tickets or dream of getting them.

One Direction is a worldwide sensation which is blessing H-Town. These five European hunks are guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and faint in a matter of two hours, because I know it can't just be me right . . . right??

The details: Friday, August 22nd, 7 p.m.; NRG Stadium; tickets: $39.50 - $99.50

Editor's Note: The opinions expressed above are those of the author and not necessarily those of CultureMap. Especially the One Direction opinions.

Lady Gaga in just one of many bizarre costume changes on her Artpop tour, coming to Houston July 16th.

Lady Gaga ArtPop Ball octopus costume May 201

Photo by Kevin Mazur WireImage

Lady Gaga in just one of many bizarre costume changes on her Artpop tour, coming to Houston July 16th.

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Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

Courtesy

Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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