Following Kanye West's surprise visit to Lakewood Church this past weekend, the concert slate looks positively quiet in comparison. Mid- to late-November is when things slow down on the live music scene because even live performers start to prepare for Turkey Day and shopping sales. Hey, musicians are people too.
That doesn't mean that there aren't some decent shows throughout the city as we get some decent big shows over the next week.
CultureMap's biggest, best, and most notable shows of the week include:
Alessia Cara at Revention
The last time we saw Alessia Cara, the one-time Grammy award winner for Best New Artist was in 2018, when she headlined RodeoHouston as that year's featured pop performer. She's back on the promotional tour for her 2018 album, The Pains of Growing, but expect to hear many of the songs that made the Canadian chanteuse a multi-platinum, award-winning star, including her breakthrough single, "Here," the extremely popular Moana song, "How Far I'll Go," and quite possibly, the world beating, suicide awareness Logic track, "1-800-273-8255."
Alessia Cara is at the Revention Music Center, located at 520 Texas Ave., on Wednesday, November 20. Ryland James opens. Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Cursive at Satellite Bar
Old school emo-rock fans will be out in full force at the Satellite Bar this Wednesday, as it brings together some of the most revered acts of the early days of the genre. Cursive consists trio of Tim Kasher (vocals, guitar), Matt Maginn (bass), and Ted Stevens (guitar, vocals), who struck a chord with angsty suburban kids everywhere in the late-'90s.
Their critical masterpiece came in the form of 2000s Domestica, an in-depth look at divorce that made it okay for punk dudes express sadness over the loss of a lover. They'll be bringing two other notable emo acts — Appleseed Cast and Cloud Nothings — with them to the outside backyard venue that is Satellite Bar, calling back to all three band's beginnings on the underground rock scene.
Cursive plays the Satellite Bar, located at 6922 Harrisburg Blvd., on Wednesday, November 20. Appleseed Cast and Cloud Nothings open. Tickets start at $22 plus fees. Doors open at 8 pm.
CultureMap recommends: Rufus Wainwright at Heights Theater
From the moment Rufus Wainwright dropped his self-titled debut album in 1998, there hasn't been a more singular talent in popular music. Born to Canadian folk singers, Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, the younger Wainwright was encouraged to pursue his musical interests from a young age.
His musical career has showcased those many interests — and that gorgeous vibrato — from straight ahead pop music of his debut and excellent follow-up, Poses, to his well received live recording of Judy Garland hits on Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall and his last album, 2016's Take All My Loves: 9 Shakespeare Sonnets.
That's what makes his solo piano tour stop at the Heights Theater such a hot ticket. There's no telling where Wainwright will take us on the setlist in such an intimate setting that almost recalls his early days when he would take to the road with his electronic piano and very few musicians. It's also why you should beg for, borrow, or steal a ticket — since this one sold out ages ago.
Rufus Wainwright plays Heights Theater, located at 339 W 19th St., on Thursday, November 21. E.B. Younger opens. Tickets are soldout. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap show of the week: Incubus at Revention
Many casual music fans know the Californian band Incubus for their inescapable early-2000s hit, "Drive." But the last time we saw Incubus, they played a surprisingly rocking set at the now defunct In Bloom Festival. Look to see that same energy as they play a virtually sold-out Revention Music Center where they are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their world beating album, Make Yourself, an album that announced the group as more than another hip-hop influenced band, a sound that dominated airwaves at the time.
If anything, Incubus has outgrown that stale sound and attempted to remake themselves on each subsequent album, something that has won hard earned respect from critics and audiences alike.
Incubus is at the Revention Music Center, located at 520 Texas Ave., on Sunday, November 24. Le Butcherettes opens. Tickets start at $90 plus fees on the resale market. Doors open at 7 pm.
CultureMap show of the week: Incubus is at Revention Music Center on Sunday, November 24.
A rendering previews Cowboys Red River.Courtesy of Cowboys Red River Dance Hall and Saloon