You might have noticed, but a cold front moved through Houston last week. For music fans, that means the time has come. Welcome to peak concert season.
The fall is a great time to take in a live show in the Bayou City, the humidity dropping to manageable levels, and a breeze that allows fans to dig their favorite pair of jeans out of summer hibernation. This is our time, Houston.
CultureMap's biggest, best, and most notable shows of the week are as follows:
CultureMap show of the week: Tenacious D at Revention
In a rare case of a comedy bit turning into a legitimately awesome enterprise, Tenacious D, is an exercise in how talent can heighten a project into something much bigger than its origins. Founded by comedians Jack Black and Kyle Gass, the comic rock band is no doubt funny, starting with the near-classic self-titled debut in 2001, fresh on Black's star making turn in High Fidelity, one of the greatest music movies of all time. And while the two are definitely hilarious, they are both fantastic musicians, with both the School of Rock alum and pal Gass capable of bringing the maximum riffage.
Because of their acting pursuits, "the D" don't hit the road or release albums very often, but when they do, they always draw a crowd of fans, including celebrity actors and musicians. Case in point: Foo Fighter and Nirvana member Dave Grohl played drums on their latest, Post-Apocalypto. They claim they are "the greatest band in the world" and they might be right.
Tenacious D headlines Revention Music Center, located at 520 Texas Ave., on Wednesday, October 16. Tickets start at $41 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap recommends: Sofi Tukker at White Oak Music Hall
Sofi Tukker, the New York City-based electro-rock duo returns to Houston, this time with a Grammy nomination under their belt for last year's fun-as-all-get-out electropop album, Treehouse. The NYC duo, comprised of singer/guitarist Sophie Hawley-Weld and producer Tucker Halpern, first made waves when two of their songs have appeared in iPhone commercials back in 2017, including the electro-house, guitar-laced, dancefloor bangers, “Bats**t” and “Best Friend.”
They are on the road to support their just-released Dancing on the People EP and once again feature up-and-comer, LP Giobbi, who will no doubt get the party started.
Sofi Tukker headlines White Oak Music Hall, located at 2915 N. Main St., on Thursday, October 17. LP Giobbi and Haiku Hands open. Tickets start at $19 plus fees. Doors open at 8 pm.
Danny Brown at Warehouse Live
One of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop performers of the last 10 years, Danny Brown is on the road with his latest, uknowhatimsayin¿. The Detroit rapper gained notice upon the release of his 2011 record, XXX, whose street lyrics were offset by Brown's unique fashion sense and predilection for prescription pharmaceuticals.
But Brown gathered focus and released his best work with 2013's Old and 2016's Atrocity Exhibition, which leaned into his artful vision. He's branched out, too, with a TV show on Viceland, aptly named Danny's House. Expect the unexpected when Brown takes the stage.
Danny Brown throws down at Warehouse Live, located at 813 Saint Emanuel St., on Thursday, October 17. Ashnikko and Zeelooperz open. Tickets start at $20 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Party on the Plaza at Avenida Houston
One of the year's best free music events, Party on the Plaza, is back and ready to rock with the nicer temps in downtown Houston. Located next to the George R. Brown Convention Center, this series of pop-up shows are a great way to celebrate happy hour and the music is always top-notch.
This week's edition celebrates the Art Car Parade, or at least, the halfway point to another edition of the uniquely Houston springtime event. Other than featuring those colorful cars, the event will feature married R&B-soul act, The War and the Treaty, who draw comparisons to a much happier Ike and Tina Turner. Austin act Tomar and the FCs and DJ Kay Illah will also appear.
Party on the Plaza: Halfway to Art Car party goes down at Avenida Houston, located at 1001 Avenida De Las America, on Thursday, October 17. The War and the Treaty, Tomar and the FCs, and DJ Kay Illah perform. Admission is free. Show starts at 6 p.m.
Bastille at White Oak Music Hall
The London based Bastille holds the distinction of being one of the few UK rock acts to reach the upper charts in the US. Their big choruses and synth-inflected guitar rock alluded to the grandeur of early U2, anchored by the full-throated singer and songwriter, Dan Smith.
Their first big impact came in the version of single, "Pompeii" off their debut Bad Blood, reached No. 5 of the US charts, something few guitar-based acts achieve these days. While follow-up album Wild World and newest record, Doom Days, didn't make as much of a cultural impact, but the Bastille fanbase remains strong.
Bastille are with Joywave one the White Oak Music Hall lawn, located at 2915 N. Main St., on Friday, October 18. Tickets start at $49.50 plus fees. Doors open at 8 pm.
Logic at Smart Financial
Maryland raised platinum selling hip-hop artist Logic is back in Houston, riding the wave of popularity. Born Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, the Def Jam rapper blew up behind the 2017 Grammy nominated, chart topper, "1-800-273-8255," which shined a light on suicide prevention (the number is the national suicide prevention hotline).
But he's been prolific his entire career, using multiple albums featuring big name stars and mixtapes to find himself on high profile stages across the globe. He's on the road behind this year's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
Logic performs at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, located at 18111 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land on Saturday, October 19. J.I.D. and YBN Cordae opens. Tickets start at $29.99 plus fees. The show starts at 7:30 pm
Frankie Valli at Smart Financial
Sixties heart throb Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will bring their extensive catalog of hits to Sugar Land this weekend. Taking their name from a bowling alley in their hometown New Jersey, the Four Seasons racked up chart topping pop songs, usually on the strength of Valli's falsetto, multi-octave range.
The standouts are too many to count, but some of the biggest include "Sherry," "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)," and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," and "Grease," the title track of cinema fame. Changing sounds put a dent in Valli's career (he often recorded solo) but he still remains a popular draw from those who grew up listening to him on the radio.
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons are at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, located at 18111 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land on Sunday, October 20. Tickets start at $45 plus fees. The show starts at 7:30 pm.
Ra Ra Riot at White Oak Music Hall
Criminally underrated Syracuse power pop act Ra Ra Riot has quietly been releasing fantastic albums since 2008 and slowing building a cult audience with their high energy shows, signature violin by Rebecca Zeller, and smart lyrics by Wes Miles.
They haven't put out a bad record, starting with the stellar debut, The Rhumb Line, and up to this year's fantastic Superbloom, recorded with former Vampire Weekend member and producer extraordinaire, Rostam Batmanglij. Indie fans would do themselves a service by checking out this band.
Ra Ra Riot play White Oak Music Hall, located at 2915 N. Main St., on Monday, October 21. Bayonne opens. Tickets start at $15 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap show of the week: Tenacious D is at Revention Music Center on Wednesday, October 16.
