Live Music Now

Here are the 6 best concerts in Houston this week

It's been a rough week for music fans in Houston.

The biggest news came with the announcement that the In Bloom music festival would be one-and-done, which will surely leave a big hole in the local music scene.

Thankfully, that was countered by the knowledge that legendary U.K. band The Who would be coming to the city as part of their Moving On! North American tour. Lead singer Roger Daltrey and guitarist Pete Townshend will lead a stellar backing band and a symphony through their 50-plus years of hits at the Toyota Center on September 25. Tickets go on sale this Friday.

There are also some savory morsels of live shows this week to get you by until greener pastures arrive. CultureMap's best, biggest, and most notable shows of the week are:

Amen Dunes at Rockefellers
All you need to know about the credentials of New York City artist Damon McMahon's Amen Dunes project comes in the form of his latest producer Chris Coady, who has worked with some of the best independent music acts going today, including Beach House, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, TV on the Radio, and Grizzly Bear.

The latest Amen Dunes album, Freedom, has garnered critical acclaim and is making waves on college radio, incorporating more electronic influences and previous efforts, as well as the layered majesty you'd expect from the influences just listed.

Amen Dunes play at Rockefellers, located at 3620 Washington Ave., on Friday, January 18. Arthur opens. Tickets are $15 plus a $4.51 service charge. Doors open at 8 pm.

CultureMap show of the week: Jon Spencer
Jon Spencer has left an indelible mark on alternative rock, most especially with his best known project, the quirky NYC trio Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. That band returned to the collective consciousness with the inclusion of their song "Bellbottoms" in the hit summer film, Baby Driver, in what was one of the best openings to a movie in ages.

Spencer is on the road with his side project the HITmakers, touring his solo project, Jon Spencer Sings the Hits! One of the most fierce live performers in music, this one is not to be missed if you appreciate raw, unbridled energy.

Jon Spencer and the HITmakers are at House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Saturday, January 19. Poizon opens. Tickets start at $15 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.

CultureMap recommends: Meshell Ndegeocello
One of the most revered bass players in music, Meshell Ndegeocello has collaborated with a variety of artists over her storied career. Her first album, Plantation Lullabies, earned her three Grammy nominations, and her duet with John Mellencamp on their cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night" brought her the attention she deserved.

She's been extremely prolific in the years since. Her latest album is the acclaimed covers album Ventriloquism, which aptly showcases her immense talent and history of working with a who's-who, including versions of Sade's "Smooth Operator," and Prince's "Sometimes it Snows in April."

Meshell Ndegeocello performs at Heights Theater, located at 339 W 19th St., on Saturday, January 19. Hann Benn opens. Tickets start at $26 plus a $8 fee. Doors open at 7 pm.

Ethereal Fest
Fans of the shoegaze and dream pop genres - think Beach House, My Bloody Valentine, The Cocteau Twins, Slowdive - should take in the second annual Ethereal Fest. The event will feature local and regional acts doing their best to look cool in dark clothing and, hopefully, a fog machine with lots of lasers. Band performing include Astragal, Angel Aura, Glare, Processions, Dottie, Fun with Ether, Daze, and Saint Rosa.

Ethereal Fest takes place at the Venus Banquet Hall, located at 12457 Bissonnet St., on Saturday, January 19. Tickets start at $12. Doors open at 5 pm.

Wild Moccasins at Satellite Bar
If there was anything justified about the music industry, Wild Moccasins, would be headlining much bigger venues than the Satellite Bar. They put out one of 2018's best albums in Look Together, they have a distinct, forward thinking aesthetic, and are fronted by a charismatic singer in Zahira Gutierrez. Maybe that'll change with their upcoming U.S. tour, kicking off this week with a series of Texas shows. This might be one of the last times we get to see them in such an intimate setting.

Wild Moccasins perform at Satellite Bar, located at 6922 Harrisburg Blvd., on Sunday, June 20. Tickets start at $10 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.

CultureMap free show alert: That 1 Guy
That 1 Guy aka Mike Silverman is a wandering soul, gaining attention from his many festival appearances over his career. He plays 150-200 shows a year, but what really sets apart this classically trained bassist from any other professional musician is the instrument of his own making, which he dubs the Magic Pipe.

Part bass, part metal pipe, part steampunk creation, it's a sight unlike any used in a musical setting, where seeing is believing. The fact that it's free is definitely worth your trip down to Warehouse Live after work on Monday night.

That 1 Guy is at Warehouse Live, located at 813 St Emanuel St., on Monday, January 21. Tickets are free, $20 for seated. Doors open at 7 pm.

Amen Dunes performs at Rockefellers on Friday, January 18.

Michael Schmelling

Amen Dunes performs at Rockefellers on Friday, January 18.

concerts music column nightlife

where to party on NYE

Close out 2025 with a bang at these Houston New Year's Eve parties

Photo by Cathlin McCullough

Experience sets by four DJs at Meow Wolf.

Whether 2025 has been good or bad, you owe it to yourself to end this year with a bang. And that’s why your friends at CultureMap have laid out more than 20 places – bars, pubs, nightclubs, even a children’s museum – that’ll be closing out 2025 in a grand, festive manner.

Happy New Year, and drink as much bubbly as you can reasonably consume — just leave the driving to someone else:

Art Club’s first NYE will feature one of their favorite artists from this year: Neon Indian. Expect an unpredictable sonic journey with an artist who crafts immersive DJ sets that weave deep cuts, vintage textures, and dancefloor energy. 10 pm.

Axelrad will have a free NYE bash with a champagne toast, a midnight cash ball drop, and live music from bands Azul and Rupert & Friends, as well as DJ sets from Rikkiton, Eleven Toes Down, and IYKYK. Shop Local Market will also be there with vendors. 7 pm.

Bar Boheme will get the New Year started with Rudy Rincon & GRUPO KACHE, delivering infectious rhythms that'll have people dancing all night long. They’ll also have an all-you-can-eat buffet until 10 pm, a champagne toast with grapes, and more. 7 pm.

Best Regards will transform into a full winter wonderland/Alps-inspired Après-Ski lounge for “An Après Affair.” For this champagne-forward celebration (complete with DJ-led energy building to a midnight toast), faux fur, metallics, and "Alpine-chic" attire are encouraged. 8 pm.

Children’s Museum Houston will throw its annual NYE-during-the-day bash for kids, where they’ll be counting down until the clock strikes noon. The first 200 children will receive “Happy New Year” necklaces to kick off the celebration. 9 am.

Constellation Field in Sugar Land will host a midnight fireworks display as part of its Sugar Land Holiday Lights display. Adults (21-plus) can upgrade to the New Year's Eve Ball in the Regions Bank Club that includes an open bar, DJ, a champagne toast, and premium seating for the fireworks. 6 pm.

Dan Electro’s will be mixing vibes, funk, world reggae, and rock & roll for a New Year's concert in the Heights. Bayou City Funk, demrootsmusic, and Charlie Danger’s Jet Set will play the music, while champagne will be available for purchase. 8:30 pm.

The Flat will be opening its doors to partygoers looking to ring in the New Year with Jamaican grooves. For this NYE edition of “Reggae Wednesday,” Flabba Dabba and KingFari will be spinning tunes while Caribbean food will be available on the patio. 9 pm.

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium will have its third annual, interactive murder-mystery event on NYE. Ticket holders get access to the mystery and a complimentary welcome beer or cocktail, as well as private dining and access to their cocktail and reserve beer menu. 7 pm.

The Foundation Room at House of Blues will get real soulful with “If It Don't Feel Like 90s RnB: New Year's Eve Edition.” Host/local R&B vocalist Keith Jacobs will be providing the vocals, while The Ken Chatham Project serves up the sounds. 9 pm.

Grooves of Houston will throw a “Tux & Tennies” party, where dressing up in your finest evening wear (complete with fresh fly kicks) is a requirement. There will be a midnight cash balloon drop, a champagne toast, a brunch buffet, and much more. 8 pm.

Heights Social will be the starting point for the Heights NYE celebration on W. 20th St. For $60 (and two drinks), you can skip the line and check out the parties at Heights Social, BLVD Park, Say No Mas, and Cattlemen’s Country Club. 8 pm.

Hotel Saint Augustine will be throwing a free soiree in their listening lounge. Described as an evening “filled with elegance and indulgence,” with a complimentary midnight toast. But, to be honest, they had us at “music, decadent caviar, and truffles.” 9 pm.

Hotel ZaZa Memorial City will roll out the red carpet for a Hollywood-style NYE, so dress to impress. Wine, beer and cocktails will be flowing, with a bubbly toast popping off at midnight. There will also be live entertainment and a hors d'oeuvres station. 10 pm.

Houston Museum of Natural Science will ring in the New Year with “Mixers and Elixirs: New Year's Eve.” Enjoy live music from Danny Ray and the Atlantic Street Band, and catch a screening of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) in the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre. 9 pm.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck continues its tradition of celebrating Irish New Year’s Eve, where they get their “Auld Lang Syne” on at 6 pm. Pat Byrne, Kristopher Wade, EJ Jones, and Frances Cunningham will be around with some fiddle music. 4:30 pm.

Meow Wolf Houston will have its first-ever NYE celebration inside Radio Tave, giving guests full access to explore the worlds while moving through distinct DJ-driven zones. The lineup features Houston artists Machine Elves, IMAX713, PHARAX, and KINOTE. 8 pm.

Neil’s Bahr will be adding something new to their annual NYE rager – karaoke! At their new location, partygoers will get the chance to sing their heads off. The party will also offer cheap champagne, classic cocktails, silly hats, and all the free hors d'oeuvres you can handle. 8 pm.

Numbers will serve up another NYE spectacular, which includes a $2,026 balloon drop at midnight, along with a champagne toast, and complimentary party favors. Longtime Numbers DJ Wes Wallace will be in the booth spinning. 9 pm.

Off the Record Listening Bar is planning a big New Year's bash with live sets from Keith Jacobs (again) & the B-Sides Band, DJ Ortiz, DJ Youngstreetz, and FlemmDoggyDogg. A welcome cocktail is given to the first 50 RSVPs. 8 pm.

Pimlico Irish Pub will continue its tradition of celebrating NYE on Ireland time, when the clock strikes midnight at 6 pm. They will have complimentary swag, a champagne toast, and a livestream of the Ireland NYE celebration. 2 pm.

POST’s New Year's Eve Celebration features a Great Gatsby-inspired celebration of glitz, glamour and over-the-top excitement. The grand finale will be a midnight fireworks spectacle orchestrated by pyrotechnic artists Celestial Displays. 9 pm.

Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top Lounge will have a NYE bash with performances by rockabilly group Shame on Me, synth-punk rockers TV Dolls, and Americana band Brightwire. There will also be a free champagne toast at midnight. 8 pm.

The Spot Lounge & Bar will celebrate NYE with its signature welcoming energy, music, handcrafted cocktails, and bubbly. A limited-edition, holiday cocktail lineup features festive twists on classics, blending bold seasonal flavors with approachable comfort. 2 pm.

Tejas Brewery will be celebrating the New Year with a rooftop shindig. Your ticket includes a free first beer and a champagne toast at midnight, as well as live music (from brotherly rock trio Wolf Moon) all night and a great view of the downtown fireworks. 8 pm.

Velocity - Sim Racing Lounge will have a special, family-friendly celebration. They’ll be hosting an exclusive ticketed event featuring unlimited sim racing, a live DJ, goodies throughout the night, light bites and, of course, that midnight champagne toast. 7 pm.

houston new year's eve entertainment