The 713 remains undefeated when it comes to musical talent showcasing their skills in front of rapturous crowds.
Over the last 365 days, Houston played host to another hugely successful RodeoHouston season in February and March, setting several attendance records along the way. International pop, country, and hip-hop artists ruled the biggest spaces, even if that meant converted sports fields, arenas, and ballparks. Cult favorites and legends from various genres all had their moments to shine in amphitheaters and clubs.
One important lesson learned from a very busy concert year: The city remains a vibrant melting pot when it comes to the voices it attracts, a veritable smorgasbord of audio-visual pleasures to experience, an embarrassment of riches only limited by time and the size of our pocketbooks.
Along with highlights from CultureMap contributors, we asked a few local media and music luminaries to share their favorite live performances over the past year in the Bayou City. Any venue was open for inclusion, no matter the genre.
Here are the best shows we saw on Houston stages in 2024.
Olivia Rodrigo with Chappell Roan, February 27, Toyota Center
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
The fast-rising, ‘90s-influenced pop star Olivia Rodrigo celebrated the release of her second album, GUTS, by announcing an ambitious world tour, with her Houston stop at Toyota Center a sizable upgrade from her last show at 713 Music Hall. The concert immediately sold out and became one of the most expensive tickets of the year on the resale market, but Rodrigo made it worthwhile with a great backing band and a longer setlist of pop-punk singles and heartstring tugging ballads. However, this show might be remembered as a sign of bigger things to come from the opener, a soon to explode into the mainstream Chappell Roan, who followed Rodrigo’s blueprint to the top of the charts.
Bun B’s All-American Takeover, March 12, NRG Stadium
Submitted by Bun B, Houston hip-hop legend
The biggest hip-hop show in Houston’s music history? The numbers don’t lie.
The third in a series of annual hip-hop mash-up shows at the rodeo, Bun B’s All-American Takeover topped a record as the most-attended male rap performance in RodeoHouston history with 75,005 in the seats. For a night, NRG Stadium became the epicenter of the rap world with the King of Trill emceeing a who’s-who of performers including Drake, Nelly, Rick Ross, Eve, Ying Yang Twins, country star Ryan Bingham, That Mexican OT, and DMC of Run-DMC.
“I mean, Ryan Bingham on acoustic guitar playing and singing “One Day?,” Bun B told CultureMap. “Eve’s first ever stadium performance in Houston? And, Drake as the closer? If I ever got a chance to do the Rodeo again, that would be a hard act to follow!”
Revisit CultureMap’s review here.
Jonas Brothers, March 15, NRG Stadium
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
The Jonas Brothers were sneakily talented, at ease on stage playing with each other, and they appeared to be having a good time. They were also extremely tight musicians, coming in hot from the middle of their 90-date “The Tour” world tour, a setlist comprised of songs from across their career, much like Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. A backing band featuring solid professionals playing brass, strings, keyboard, and drums took their sound to the next level.
Read CultureMap’s full review here.
Madonna, March 29, Toyota Center
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
Appearing at the first of two sold out shows at Toyota Center as part of The Celebration Tour, Madonna brought it all — countless hits, an elaborate and eye-popping stage show, endless costumes and dancers. Compared to other famed one-named female artists, none of them broke down barriers and reshaped music and culture quite like she did. The entire show served as a reminder why all other pop stars who followed in her wake – Britney, Christina, Taylor, Cardi B, among others – owe her a debt of gratitude.
Read CultureMap’s full review here.
Rickie Lee Jones, April 10, The Heights Theater
Submitted by Paige Mann, Director of Ticketing, House of Blues Houston
This is an artist I can never see enough of – Rickie Lee Jones. Seeing her at the Heights Theater on April 10 of this year was just another in a long line of exceptional performances by this two-time Grammy Award winner. I can’t say enough about her unique storytelling style as it, like her songwriting, twists and winds its way through the unexpected and fascinating alleyways of her life.
If you haven’t read her autobiography, Last Chance Texaco, you are missing out on one helluva tale. If you haven’t seen her live, you are also missing out on watching San Antonio native Mike Dillon (formerly of Ten Hands and Billy Goat) completely blow your mind with his musicianship as her ride-or-die on-stage collaborator. Go because you remember “Chuck E’s In Love” and stay to become a longtime fan.
Slowdive, May 11, White Oak Music Hall
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
First garnering critical fame in the ‘90s as one of the best shoegaze bands, Slowdive recently found new life on Tiktok and other social media apps with a younger generation thanks to fantastic second act releases, 2017’s self-titled album and one of 2023’s best releases, Everything is Alive. Atmospheric and dreamlike, the U.K. group took the crowd on a journey with gorgeous anthems set to the backdrop of the Houston skyline on the White Oak lawn. The mix of ages and a sold-out show marked a well-deserved revival for one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years.
IDLES, May 22, White Oak Music Hall
Submitted by Ruben Dominguez, morning entertainment/lifestyle reporter, FOX 26
The concert that sticks out in my mind for 2024, without a doubt, was British alt-rock act IDLES at White Oak Music Hall. From start to finish, the band absolutely crushed it. Lead singer Joe Talbot had an amazing connection with the audience that night and there was not a bad song in the set.
Pinkie Prom 2024, May 25, VFW Post 8790
Submitted by Daniel Jackson, local music photographer
DIY all-ages shows are the cornerstone of Houston's music scene. This is why Pinkie Prom 2024, curated by the city's underground pop-punk and emo queens, Pinkie Promise, was such a pivotal event. Hosted upstairs at VFW Post 8790 in Spring Branch, the “Prom” united some of Houston's loudest for a feel-good time of circle pits and guitar feedback. The lineup included fantastic local acts Jumprope, Oureyesgoblanktonight, Sugar, xCTRLx, CPU Buddha and Salvinorin-a.
Green Day, Weezer, and Fall Out Boy, July 29, Minute Maid Park
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
Alt-rock, pop-punk, and emo fans united at one of the massive concerts hosted by Minute Maid Park throughout the summer (Chris Stapleton/Miranda Lambert and Def Leppard/Journey were also highlights). Our money for most memorable show came in the form of fantastic sets by Green Day and Weezer, the former attracting generations of fans that grew up on the 1994 touchstone Dookie and 2004’s American Idiot. The latter cruised through their debut classic, the self-titled “blue album” with an out of this world, space-themed backdrop.
Charley Crockett, September 3, 713 Music Hall
Submitted by Craig Hlavaty, CultureMap music contributor
One of the best of the current crop of trad-country players currently doing the dang thing, Charley Crockett brought his $10 Cowboy tour twice to Houston in 2024, first for an intimate event at the Armadillo Palace in late April and again in September at 713 Music Hall. His cinematic country style works best in a small venue, but going widescreen at 713 showed he's ready for arenas.
Johnny Marr & James, October 1, Bayou Music Center
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap music contributor
Founder of influential indie act The Smiths and widely considered one of the best guitarists of his generation, Johnny Marr and his equally badass band gave the crowd a perfect mix of songs from his 40 year career, including his solo work and from his post-Smiths band, Electronic. He called for requests, engaging the audience with charisma and guitar wizardry, even recalling The Smiths’ 1986 Houston show. Opener, James, known for their ‘90s hit, “Laid,” impressed with eight band members elevating their sound to transcendent levels with a cathartic and beautiful performance.
Jungle, October 7, White Oak Music Hall
Submitted by Fred Singson aka local DJ Fredster
While I saw many bands of all genres this year, I would have to say the show that stood out the most that I thoroughly enjoyed had to be Jungle. Their live show was non-stop energy from beginning to their last song and had the entire lawn dancing, me included. Jungle is definitely a band that will continue to make great music and I will always look forward to seeing them live again!
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, November 16, White Oak Music Hall
Submitted by Craig Hlavaty, CultureMap music contributor
One of the most intriguing bands to come to prominence in the past decade, this Australian genre-bending machine, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, attracted thousands to the lawn at the White Oak Music Hall. They went from a full-on heavy metal Mastodon masterclass to Queen-influenced flights of fancy and even shifted to deep electronic euphoria within just three songs. The band is a touring mixtape, and you never know what side of the tape is coming each night.
Beyoncé, December 25, NRG Stadium
Submitted by Johnston Farrow, CultureMap contributor
For anyone who attended the Kamala Harris rally and left disappointed that Queen Bey did not perform that night, the Beyhive got their chance to see the Houston native do what she does best during the halftime of the Texans-Ravens Christmas Day game. Broadcast to millions around the world via Netflix, Beyoncé brought her Cowboy Carter era to life with guest stars Post Malone, Shaboozey, and her daughter Blue Ivy Carter as well as Texas Southern University's famed Ocean of Soul marching band. Stuffing more into an eight-song set than most performers do in a two-hour show, the global pop superstar drew rave reviews for her high level of production, stage design, costumes and vocal chops, doing her city proud.
Bun B photo by Marco Torres; Nelly photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images; illustration by Steven Devadanam
