Day For Night 2016

Day For Night shines national music spotlight on Houston: 10 don't-miss bands and performers

Houston stakes its claim as a destination city for music this weekend. Compared to the live music capital up Highway 290, Houston has been seen in some music circles as being as a major metro without a strong musical identity. In the last few years, a new found dedication to ambitious booking has made the city into a place to be for music fans. Thank this weekend’s Day For Night festival for making a sizable impact.

The festival line-up is an embarrassment of riches for the audio aficionados. Pulling from multiple genres and well known international and national acts, this might be the best lineup of cutting edge and influential acts featured anywhere on U.S. soil in 2016. And lucky for us, it’s right in our backyard, set to take place at the 1.5 million-square-foot former home of the Barbara Jordan Post Office at 401 Franklin Street, just north of downtown.

This year’s edition is bigger and bolder after a wildly successful inaugural year in 2015. The expanded location will feature dozens of performances over three days (Friday is VIP access only) and four stages. For $170 for a weekend pass, Day For Night is a steal.

Those set to gain from the strong line-up are Houston acts that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to play alongside big names like Bjork, Aphex Twin and Run The Jewels, not to mention the exposure to bigger crowds.

“It’s really great for the city to have nationally known bands play here,” said Zahira Gutierrez of Houston-based Wild Moccasins, who promises some surprises for their festival closing slot Sunday night. “People not only come to see the music but they will get to see other things that makes Houston great, that we aren’t just Austin’s little brother. We have a lot of things going on here.”

The most unique aspect of Day For Night, one that sets it apart from the more established festivals, is its visual element, in which performers are selected based on more than just throwing a good show. They also are chosen due to an aesthetic that matches the overall theme of the festival.

“The music acts that come to the festival are typically very visual, and have their own visual designs,” said Alex Czetwertynski, curator for the art portion of Day For Night. “But we also have artists who are performing inside installations they designed, or musicians who are creating installations, like Björk. So it runs the gamut of that relationship.”

Here are some of the must-see bands and performers to see this weekend:

Saturday

Lower Dens, Green Stage, 5:10-5:50 p.m.
One of the best bands of the 2010s writes emotive, atmospheric indie rock in the vein of fellow Baltimore act Beach House. The last three albums, Twin-Hand Movement, Nootropics and Escape From Evil are must-listens.

The Jesus and Mary Chain, Green Stage, 6:20-7:10 p.m.
The influential godfathers of the British shoegaze movement play only their fourth show since announcing their reunion to the live stage and release of their first album in 18 years, Damage and Joy, out in March. The cocksure Reid brothers, William and Jim, are responsible for stone-cold alternative classics, such as "Psychocandy," "Darklands," and "Stoned and Dethroned." Be among the first to hear new tracks and can’t-miss old favorites.

Blood Orange, Green Stage, 7:40-8:40 p.m.
One of the breakout acts of 2016, Blood Orange aka Dev Hynes released one of this year’s best albums with Freetown Sound. Channeling 80s R&B and new wave, free jazz and a generous helping of Prince, the groove will be strong.

John Carpenter, Blue Stage, 9:45-10:45 p.m.
The horror film master is a respected composer in his own right, writing the soundtracks of his films, including the iconic Halloween and Escape From New York scores. His sound is now heavily appropriated by a new movement of synth-based acts: see Stranger Things soundtrack.

Aphex Twin, Red Stage, 10 p.m.-Midnight
A major coup for Houston, the mercurial Richard D. James makes his first U.S. appearance in eight years and plays his first Houston gig in over two decades. Arguably one of the most influential electronic artists ever, the “Come To Daddy” and “Windowlicker” auteur has been extremely particular about which festivals he plays over the last decade. Don’t miss it.

Other acts to watch
Thundercat, Red Stage, 4:40-5:25 p.m.
Onehitrix Point Never, Blue Stage, 6:35-7:35 p.m.
ODESZA, Red Stage, 8-9:35 p.m.
Daughters, Yellow Stage, 8:20-9 p.m.
DJ Windows 98, Green Stage, 9:10-9:40 p.m.

Sunday
S U R V I V E, Blue Stage, 4-4:40 p.m.
Has any act had a better 2016 than S U R V I V E? The release of Netflix’s Stranger Things blew up the relatively unknown Austin-based, landing it the pages of Rolling Stone. And deservedly so – the four-piece created the best TV show theme song in ages, along with a soundtrack that waxes nostalgic in the best of '80s horror and sci-fi many of us grew up watching.

BjörkDigital, Blue Stage, 8:20-9:50 p.m.

This slot has been somewhat shrouded in mystery. It’s billed as an art-installation/DJ set, but the Icelandic queen of avant-garde majesty could play a kazoo and it won’t soon be forgotten by those lucky enough to witness it. She’s that good.

Little Dragon, Red Stage, 9:20-10:20 p.m
A favorite on the international festival circuit, the Sweden-based Little Dragon is as guaranteed a highlight as anyone on the bill. The Grammy nominated four-piece’s catalogue is made for the Day For Night environment with smooth trip-hop beats, chill wave synths and a captivating front woman in Yukimi Nagano.

Travis Scott, Green Stage, 11 p.m.-Midnight
Owner of a 2016 No. 1 album with Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight, Travis Scott has been unescapable in the hip-hop world, working with the biggest luminaries in the genre. You won’t see a more popular artist at Day For Night; expect a big crowd.

Butthole Surfers, Green Stage, 9:40-10:40 p.m.
One never knows what to expect when the Austin psych-punk legends take the stage. Just know that it will be a strange, loud and frenzied trip.

Other acts to watch:
Matmos, Blue Stage, 5-5:40 p.m.
Blonde Redhead, Green Stage, 6:10-6:50 p.m.
Liars, Blue Stage, 7:05-7:55 p.m.
RZA feat. Stone Mecca, Green Stage, 7:10-7:50 p.m.
Squarepusher, Red Stage, 7:50-8:50 p.m.
KASKADE, Red Stage 10:50-11:50 p.m.
Wild Moccassins, Yellow Stage, 11-11:50 p.m.

For more information, schedules and tickets, visit https://www.dayfornight.io. Read this CultureMap article for more about the art installations at Day for Night.

The Butthole Surfers will take to the stage Sunday night at 9:40.

Photo courtesy of Day for Night

The Butthole Surfers will take to the stage Sunday night at 9:40.

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Movie Review

Timothée Chalamet cements star status in new movie Marty Supreme

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Timothée Chalamet

In a time when true movie stars seem to be going extinct, Timothée Chalamet has emerged as an exception to the rule. Since 2021 he has headlined blockbusters like the two Dune movies and Wonka, and also earned an Oscar nomination for playing Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown (his second nomination following 2018’s Call Me By Your Name). Now, he’s almost assured to get his third nomination for the stellar new film, Marty Supreme.

Chalamet plays Marty Mauser, a world-class table tennis player living in New York. But reducing Marty to his best skill doesn’t do him justice, as he’s also a motormouth schemer who will do almost anything to achieve his dreams. He doesn’t have any qualms about wooing married women like neighbor Rachel (Odessa A’zion) or actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow), or hiding his true ping pong skills to win money in scams with friends like Wally (Tyler the Creator).

Marty is seemingly on the go the entire movie, whether it’s trying to convince Kay’s millionaire husband Milton Rockwell (Kevin O’Leary) to fund his table tennis ambitions; or trying to track down the dog of Ezra (Abel Ferrara), a man he accidentally injures; or trying to avoid the ire of the boss at the shoe store where he works. Just when you think he might slow down, he’s off to the races on another plan or adventure.

Directed by Josh Safdie and written by Safdie and frequent co-writer Ronald Bronstein, the film is an almost continuous blast of pure energy for 2 ½ hours. So many different things happen over the course of the film that the story defies conventional narratives, and yet the throughline of Marty keeps everything tightly connected. His particular type of brash behavior turns much of the film into a comedy as he does and says things that are both shocking and thrilling.

Another thing that makes the movie sing is the fantastic characterization by Safdie and Bronstein. Almost every person who is given a speaking line in the film has a moment where they pop, which speaks to airtight dialogue that the writers have created. Characters will be introduced and then disappear for long stretches of time, and yet because they make such an impression the first time they’re on screen, it’s easy to pick up their thread right away.

Safdie, as he’s done previously with brother Bennie (Uncut Gems), calls on a host of well-known non-actors or people with interesting faces/vibes to inhabit supporting roles, and to a person they are crucial to the film’s success. O’Leary (of Shark Tank fame), rapper Tyler the Creator, director Ferrara, magician Penn Jillette, and fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi each deliver knockout performances. The relative unknowns who play smaller roles are just as impressive, making each beat of the film feel naturalistic.

Leading the way is the powerhouse performance by Chalamet. For one person to believably play both the famously reserved Dylan and also a firecracker like Marty is astonishing, and this role cements Chalamet’s status as his generation’s movie star. A’zion is a rising star who gets great moments as Marty’s on-again/off-again love interest. Paltrow pops in and out of the film, lighting up the screen every time she appears. Fran Drescher as Marty’s mom and Sandra Bernhard as a neighbor also pay dividends in small roles.

Josh Safdie’s first solo directorial effort is unlike any other movie this year, or maybe even this century. Thanks to its breakneck storytelling, a magnificent performance by Chalamet, and countless intangibles that Safdie employs expertly, the film smacks viewers in the face repeatedly and demands that they come back for more.

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Marty Supreme opens in theaters on December 25.

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