October continues the hot streak for major stars hitting the stages in the Bayou City just as the weather is getting tolerable.
This month features a number of performances in the largest spaces the city has to offer with the cool fall air threatening to cut down the sweatiness concert-goers endured the last few months.
While this may be one of the best runs for live music in recent years, it begs a question as to how much this longer it will hold up. The sheer amount of shows after the pandemic, the cost of tickets, and inflation affecting budgets doesn’t seem like a sustainable model for touring acts to maintain. In fact, cancellations aren’t uncommon among lesser-known acts who simply can’t afford to tour.
For paying customers, it’s often a choice of where to spend money and generally the bigger acts will win out. One of the few benefits of the current musical climate is these larger acts are stepping up their game to produce mind-bending performances. In other words, you’re more likely to get more bang for your buck.
Here are the biggest shows – and hopefully, biggest spectacles — in the Houston area this October.
Mary J. Blige with Ella Mai, Queen Naija
Saturday, October 1
Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St.
The groundbreaking Super Bowl LVI half-time show featured a number of hip-hop stars, led by super-producer and headphones entrepreneur, Dr. Dre. But rather than Snoop Dogg and Eminem stealing the show, that honor went to the immaculate Mary J. Blige. The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul absolutely crushed it, showcasing her untouchable pipes and bumping catalog of chart-topping hits. Now she’s on the road with the critically acclaimed album, Good Morning Gorgeous.
Tickets start at $69.50 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
Smashing Pumpkins with Jane’s Addiction, and Poppy
Monday, October 3
Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St.
One of the better lineups this year for alt-rock fans, the 30-million-album-selling Smashing Pumpkins bring together another storied group, Jane’s Addiction, joining them for their promo run for 2020’s Cyr. It’s one of Billy Corgan and company’s better efforts in some time. The Pumpkins last played a less-than-full Toyota Center back in 2019, so the added firepower will bring some needed muscle and butts in seats. Expect to hear the hits, “Today,” “Cherub Rock,” “1979,” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings.”
Tickets start at $33 plus fees. Doors open at 5:30 pm.
Post Malone with Roddy Ricch
Tuesday, October 25
Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St.
The tattoo-faced, mega-selling superstar rapper and actor Post Malone returns to Houston, where he’s played multiple sold-out shows. He comes to town following a disastrous fall during a show in St. Louis, walking into a hole on stage and damaging his ribs that forced a few show cancellations and time in the hospital.
Thankfully, signs point to Post being okay for his Toyota Center headlining show. The “Rockstar,” “Psycho” and “Sunflower” artist is supporting another hit album, Twelve Carat Toothache.
Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Doors open at 7 pm.
The Chicks with Patty Griffin
Saturday, October 8
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands
Texas’ finest and maybe most controversial country gals, The Chicks, are now performing under a new name, (rightfully) dropping the Dixie for its historical connotations. The rabble-rousers are back after a long 14-year hiatus, but the time off hasn’t left them any less relaxed.
Always a group to stand up for themselves in a fight (“Goodbye Earl” from 1999’s Fly is a good example), 2020’s Gaslighter draws heavily on some old school country themes, most especially infidelity, with the namesake single spitting straight fire towards the ex of lead singer Natalie Maines for their best hit in years.
Tickets start at $79.50 plus fees. Gates open at 6 pm.
Stevie Nicks with Vanessa Carlton
Sunday, October 9
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr, The Woodlands
Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Stevie Nicks takes a break from her regular gig in the biggest classic rock act of all time, Fleetwood Mac, for a run of solo shows. Make no mistake, Nicks is just as fierce as a lone performer, putting together a string of radio hits, such as “Edge of Seventeen” and “Stop Dragging My Heart Around.”
If we’re lucky, we’ll get a few songs from her other band, including an unofficial cranberry juice theme song.
Tickets are available on the resale market. Gates open at 6:30 pm.
CultureMap Recommends: Carly Rae Jepsen
Sunday, October 9
713 Music Hall, 401 Franklin St., Suite 1600
Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen won our pop-loving hearts back in 2012 with the timeless single, “Call Me Maybe” that perfectly encapsulated a teenage crush.
After that song blew up thanks to a Justin Bieber lip-synch video, Jepsen went on to produce the fantastic 2015 album, E-MO-TION, seen by critics as a trailblazing progression of pop sounds pulling from the past and updating them for the future. She’ll hit 713 Music Hall behind her soon-to-be-released 2022 album, The Loneliest Time.
Tickets start at $43.50 plus fees. Show starts at 8 pm.
Lil Nas X
Tuesday, October 11
713 Music Hall, 401 Franklin St., Suite 1600
The No. 1-charting provocateur Lil Nas X will light up the stage with what will sure to be eye-popping visuals and unchecked inhibition as part of his Long Live Montero tour. The groundbreaking genre-bender first shot to stardom with the inescapable Billy Ray Cyrus-meets-Nine Inch Nails remix, “Old Town Road,” the longest charting No. 1 in the history if the U.S. Not too shabby.
He struck gold again with “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” raising the eyebrows of squares everywhere with it’s unabashed queerness. This one is going to get wild, y’all.
Tickets start at $29.95 plus fees. Show starts at 8 pm.
The Black Keys with Band of Horses and The Velveteers
Saturday, October 15
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands
Recently making news for marriage troubles between drummer Patrick Carney and singer-songwriter Michelle Branch, The Black Keys will try to find some semblance of normalcy outside the tabloids when they get back to their fiery blues-rock performances. This year’s Dropout Boogie is their latest.
Head’s up: catch the fantastic opening Seattle band, Band of Horses, for a dose of alt-rock-country majesty.
Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Gates open at 5:30 pm.
CultureMap Show of the Month: Lizzo with Latto and Saucy Santana
Monday, October 26
Toyota Center, 1510 Polk St.
A Houston-bred success story, Aldine’s Lizzo is finally home, playing her biggest show yet in the city, headlining the Toyota Center. One of the more disappointing storylines arising from the pandemic, the “Juice” star’s slot at RodeoHouston in 2020 was cancelled much to the dismay of her fast-growing fanbase.
Now an Emmy-winner for her series, Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, and lover of really old flutes, she’ll be bringing her new album, Special, to life for her adoring hometown crowd.
Tickets start at $39.50 plus fees. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Chris Stapleton with Elle King and Morgan Wade
Friday, October 28
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands
Country crooner Chris Stapleton is, well, a staple of the local live music scene, performing seemingly every year at RodeoHouston in addition to regular shows at the Pavilion. If he’s not a Texan (he’s from Kentucky), then he sure feels like one.
Not that anyone minds, as the award-winning “Tennessee Whiskey,” “Broken Halos,” and “You Should Probably Leave” songwriter plays classic country that invites mass singalongs and pulls at heartstrings, steeped in Americana-influenced storytelling.
Tickets are available on the resale market. Gates open at 6 pm.
Lizzo returns to her hometown on October 26 at Toyota Center.
