SNL-caused redo

The wait's finally over: Which songs Tom Petty figures to feature for Houston

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion on Friday
Photo courtesy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
ZZ Top opens for Tom Petty & Co.

Attention long-patient Houston-area fans of Tom Petty: The suffering is over.

After waiting four months for Petty & The Heartbreakers to make-up their date (after we got jilted so the band could appear on Saturday Night Live), the lil' ol' bad from Gainesville, Florida finally makes it to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion Friday. Even better, they bring that Lil' Ol' Band From Texas with them: ZZ Top.

Who was it that once said, "The waiting is the hardest part"?

Oh yeah, that was Tom Petty. Coincidence? You decide.

One advantage of this later date is that there has been ample time to get acquainted with new Petty & the Heartbreakers album, Mojo. A much grittier, swamp-blues sound than Petty and Co. have broached in their previous 34 years, the album went to No. 2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart when it was released in June (the highest showing for the band since 1979's Damn the Torpedoes).

Those who have done their homework on the new tunes will be thrilled to know that singles "Jefferson Jericho Blues," "Good Enough" and "I Should Have Known It" should be prominently featured in all their jam band-leaning glory.

Those who would rather relive past Petty glories should also be pleased. Hits dating back from the group's mid-70s beginnings like "American Girl" and radio mainstay like "I Won't Back Down," Free Fallin'" and "Refugee" have all been staples on this tour.

Get ready to sing because the waiting is over.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (with special guests ZZ Top), 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Tickets: $43.50-$133.50

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Game time

Party and eat like an MVP at CultureMap's 2024 sports bash The Tailgate

Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

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CultureMap is gearing up for the exciting return of The Tailgate, our all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit.

For the event’s third year, we’re partying in EaDo at 8th Wonder. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11, and tickets are already on sale.

Attendees can look forward to sports-inspired bites from some of their favorite Houston restaurants, premium cocktails, memorabilia from Texas legends, and plenty more game-day fun.

Popular Houston restaurants and chefs will create tailgate-inspired dishes for attendees to sample and vote for their favorite. Participants include:

1891 American Eatery & Bar
Big City Wings
Comfort Foodies
The Halal Guys
J Bar M
Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
Kokoro
Layne's Chicken Fingers
Loro
Mainely Sandwiches
Pizaro's Pizza
Ramen Tatsu-Ya
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Southern Jerks
Stuff'd Wings
Taste Kitchen + Bar
Thai Tail
The Waffle Bus
Uchi
Uchiko Houston

Tailgate 2023 Attendees can look forward to food from favorite Houston restaurants and premium cocktails. Photo by Marco Torres / @MarcoFromHouston

Following up on the success of last year’s Ultimate Sports Bar Showdown, we’ll soon be asking readers to vote for their favorite wing joint of 2024. Our editors have put together a list of 16 candidates that will go head-to-head in a bracket-style tournament we're calling the Ultimate Wing Showdown. Your winner will be revealed at the party.

The event will also shine a spotlight on local sports organizations, including the Texans, which will raffle off a CJ Stroud-signed White Panel Football. The Astros will show off their Shooting Stars dancers as well as the 2017 and 2022 World Series Trophies, and their Shuttle Crew team will bring prizes. Houston soccer stars the Dynamo and Dash will raffle team-signed jerseys.

Attendees can expect more fun, games, and prizes courtesy of our event sponsors and local vendors, including Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts, and more.

Fan favorite Astros broadcaster Julia Morales will be there with her cult favorite apparel line, Shop Baseball, Y'all.

We'll keep you up to date on all things Tailgate-related in a special editorial series of stories leading up to the event.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets are on sale now at discounted rates of $35 for general admission (regularly $50) and $60 for VIP (regularly $75).

All tickets include bites by participating restaurants, complimentary premium beverages, and access to fun activities throughout the event. VIP tickets come with one-hour early entry, access to a dedicated VIP bar, an exclusive meet-and-greet with one of Houston's top athletes, and more perks for an elevated experience.

Head here to buy your tickets now.

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The Tailgate is sponsored by Verizon, HOWDY, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Houston Powder Coaters, Holey Moley Golf Club, Mizzen+Main, Shipley Do-nuts and more to be announced.

culturemap houston restaurants sports sportsmap tailgate culturemap-events