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

New movie Friendship pairs Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in a bizarre bromance

Photo courtesy of A24

Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd in Friendship.

Comedian Tim Robinson has gained a cult following thanks to series like Detroiters and I Think You Should Leave, in which his brand of cringe comedy is on full display. The former Saturday Night Live writer/performer has had a few small movie roles over the years, but he’s now getting his first starring role in the off-kilter Friendship.

Robinson plays Craig, a mild-mannered suburbanite with a wife, Tami (Kate Mara), and son, Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer). Craig has a boring life that involves little more than going to his middle manager job while wearing the same clothes day after day, anticipating the next Marvel movie, and helping Tami out with her at-home floral business.

He gets a jolt of energy when Austin (Paul Rudd) moves into the neighborhood. The two men seem to hit it off, with Austin — a weatherman at a local TV channel — even taking Craig on a couple of impromptu adventures. But when Craig commits a couple of faux pas at a group gathering at Austin’s house, their bond starts to fracture.

Even though the film is written and directed by Andrew DeYoung, it’s clear that Robinson had a big influence on the style of comedy it features. There are no big set pieces with a slew of jokes coming one after another. Instead, the film forces the audience to try to vibe with the very particular type of wavelength it’s giving off, one that could almost be called anti-comedy for the way the laughs come out of left field.

The 100-minute film is full of random comedic moments, like Steven kissing Tami on the lips, Craig being obsessed with his plain brown clothes, a group sing-along, and more. More often than not, it’s the way Craig reacts to both normal and abnormal situations that gets the laughs. The character is needy and oblivious, two traits that combine to make many of his actions cringeworthy.

Perhaps most importantly for this type of movie, many things in the story go unexplained or don’t make sense. Seemingly crucial elements are brought up only to fade away just as quickly, while other parts that appeared to be throwaway sections get callbacks later in the film. DeYoung and Robinson are determined to keep the audience on their toes the entire time, never knowing what to expect next.

Robinson has the perfect face for a story like this, one that’s bland enough to blend into the background but memorable enough to sell the jokes. His demeanor is also excellent, never becoming too expressive, even when he gets angry. With long hair, a mustache, and a certain swagger, Rudd is a great complement to Robinson. Only in a film like this would an everyman like Rudd be considered the suave and cool one.

There will be some that will see Friendship and come away wondering what the hell they just watched. But anyone who goes in knowing that they’re about to witness a comedy that challenges their sensibilities will likely have a great time.

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Friendship is now playing in select theaters.

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