Southern fried rock act The Black Crowes announced their return this week, leaving fans of a certain age rejoicing.
The band, centered around brothers Chris and Rich Robinson, sold millions of albums in the '90s while garnering a ton of press due to the feuds between the band founders and a devotion to an excessive rock and roll lifestyle of a bygone era.
The brothers will take to the road for a 40-date tour, but odds they make it all the way through those dates are small — as inter-band conflict is a Black Crowes calling card, so much that even the notoriously estranged brothers Gallagher in Oasis remarked at the arguments between the two.
Thankfully, a Houston date at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is early on the slate, scheduled for June 20, 2020. They will play their debut 1990 album, Shake Your Money Maker, in full.
The Black Keys at Toyota Center
For a while, The Black Keys were the biggest band in the world, seemingly headlining every music festival behind their bluesy, high-powered, infectious alt-rock. But after traversing the globe, the Akron, Ohio duo, Dan Auerbach (guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums), took a five year break to work on other projects such as solo albums and having babies with pop stars (Carney is shacked up with Michelle Branch).
The itch to get back out on the road finally got the best of the Keys, who announced their "Let's Rock" tour around their 2019 album and they'll be bringing along another revered indie act with them in Modest Mouse for what should be one of the bigger alt-rock shows of the year.
The Black Keys perform at Toyota Center with Modest Mouse, located at 1510 Polk St., on Tuesday, November 12. Shannon and the Clams open. Tickets start at $54.40 plus service fees. Doors open at 6 pm.
Matt and Kim at White Oak
The cutest couple in indie music, Matt and Kim are known for their insane shows, built sparsely around a keyboard, drums, and two very enthusiastic performers. While that doesn't always make them critical darlings for their studio work, the naysayers obviously haven't been to a Matt and Kim show. The connection and stage presence of Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino make it work, a massive dance party every night.
They'll be celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album, Grand, from which they earned an MTV Video Award for running naked through the streets of New York City for the video for "Lessons Learned." Clothes are probably required for this show.
Matt and Kim are at the White Oak Music Hall lawn, located at 2915 N. Main St., on Tuesday, November 12. Beach Goons open. Tickets start at $30 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Deadmau5 at Revention Music Center
The man responsible for masks becoming a popular gimmick among internationally known DJs — we're looking at you Marshmello — Joel Thomas Zimmerman aka Deadmau5 remains one of the biggest sound scientist in the world, best known for his day-glo mouse helmet that he wears on stage while dropping the beats.
Is it a marketing gimmick? Sure. But the outspoken Canadian DJ is one of the better performers in the game, slaying dancefloors with an thrilling mix of progressive house music. After an immediate sell-out, Revention added a Thursday show that still has tickets. Better yet, the show starts early, a great thing for old school ravers with an early wake-up call.
Deadmau5 is at the Revention Music Center, located at 520 Texas Ave., on Thursday, November 14 and Friday, November 15. Thursday night is sold out. Tickets start at $45 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm both nights.
Two Door Cinema Club
Irish act Two Door Cinema Club were fortunate to come into the world when similar sounding acts like Phoenix and The Postal Service were riding high on the charts. They gained notice in the U.K. and U.S. with their debut album Tourist History and killer singles, "Something Good Can Work" and "What You Know." Kudos to them, as they ventured into new sounds on subsequent albums, 2012's Beacon and 2016's Gameshow. They are back with this year's False Alarm. This one is a lawn show, so be sure to bundle up before you head out.
Two Door Cinema Club plays the White Oak Music Hall lawn, located at 2915 N. Main St., on Thursday, November 14. Beach Goons open. Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Gates open at 6 pm.
Thievery Corporation at House of Blues
In Houston seemingly every year, Washington, D.C. trip-hop meets reggae meets dub act Thievery Corporation are back in H-town with their cosmopolitan groove. The band rose to fame in the late '90s with their mix of beats, electronics, and uplifting vocals. Anyone who ripped an mpeg off the internet in the mid-2000s will want to show up early as this show will feature the return of the fantastic indie dance act, Brazilian Girls.
Thievery Corporation return to the House of Blues, located at 1204 Caroline St., on Saturday, November 16. Brazilian Girls open. Tickets start at $40 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap recommends: Willie Nelson and His Family at Smart Financial Centre
Willie Nelson makes his requisite annual appearance on a Houston stage and like every year, this one is nearly sold out. Nelson has appeared on over 200 albums, sold millions of copies, has won every music award that a country legend can win, and really doesn't have much to prove after 60 years in the game.
But that doesn't mean he's close to being done performing. He gets a little help from his family of musicians — see Lukas Nelson — but for those who are fans of old school country, this is a can't miss show.
Willie Nelson and His Family perform at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, located at 18111 Lexington Blvd. in Sugar Land, on Monday, November 11. Tickets start at $59.50 plus fees. Show starts at 8 pm.
CultureMap show of the week: The Black Keys are at Toyota Center on Tuesday, November 12.
