Recently, I saw a list of what were purported to be the worst live music performances during the ‘80s. And that got me to thinking. I don’t know how many concerts I have attended in the past 50 years, but it’s a bunch. Maybe not quite 1,000 shows, but getting close to it. And you know what? I don’t know that I have ever seen a truly horrible show. That is to say, a performance that was totally wretched. But maybe I have that attitude because I love live music.
Sure, some concerts were better than others. Occasionally, an artist is sick but bravely (or, in some cases, unwisely) soldiers on. When the Stones played at NRG stadium in 2024, hardcore fans were concerned about Keith Richards’ lack of movement and energy, only to find out later that he was still recovering from COVID.
At the Houston show on Tom Petty’s last tour, it was obvious that he was in considerable pain. He performed like the champ that he was, but I could see that his hand was shaking when he grabbed the mic stand for support. And then there was Jon Bon Jovi, doing his best due to a throat injury, but croaking like Kermit the Frog through his Toyota Center gig in 2022.
Sometimes it’s the weather. No one who was there will forget Pink Floyd’s 1994 concert at Rice Stadium, when the heavens opened up shortly after intermission, and the field (which was full of seats) began to flood. The band played on as the rain pelted down, but the show ended when the power went out and the stadium got really dark really fast.
And who could forget another epic Pink Floyd soaking, when the band played at Jeppesen Stadium on the University of Houston campus in 1977? It was a general admission show – and aren’t those fun? – so many of us had been sitting in the rain all afternoon in order to secure a good spot on the field in front of the stage.
But here’s the thing: live music is not supposed to be perfect. That’s part of the thrill. That’s part of the magic. A concert is a series of singular moments in time. In this age of choreographed shows and backing tracks, much of the danger has been taken out of the live experience. On a scale of 1 – 10, most shows reside in the “7-ish” range. They rarely drop so low as a “5,” but neither do they often hit a “10.” And you know what? Sometimes it’s worth a train wreck here and there to get a “10” night.
Ticket Alert
Still going strong and staying busy at 75, Alejandro Escovedo and his band the Electric Saints will perform at the Heights Theater on Saturday, May 2, and tickets are on sale now. Whether he is pursuing his punk, rock or country influences, with Escovedo you know it’s going to be the real deal.
After settling a legal brouhaha over who controlled the band’s name, Guess Who founders Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings have announced a summer tour that will operate under the banner of “Takin’ It Back,” which is actually kind of clever. Presales begin today for the band’s concert at the Smart Financial Centre on Saturday, August 8, with with the general ticket sale set for Friday.
As the old saying goes, “the best-laid plans of Sex Pistols and men often go awry.” Or something like that. When Pistols guitarist Steve Jones broke one of his wrists last fall, the band’s tour was canceled, much to the chagrin of aging punks everywhere. Good news, though, in that Jones’ is back in fighting trim, and the band (sans Johnny Rotten aka John Lydon, but with three of the four original members) will perform on Sunday, September 13, at the House of Blues. Snag presales now or wait until Friday for the regular sale date.
Concerts This Week
Every year, when March comes in like a lion (or bucking bull, I suppose), much of the local concert action takes place as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Stadium. The annual run of performances began on Monday night with Riley Green and continues this evening with a post-rodeo concert by Rascal Flatts.
From there, the week ahead stacks up like this:
Russell Dickerson Thursday, March 5
Lizzo Friday, March 6
Dwight Yoakam Saturday, March 7
Forrest Frank Sunday, March 8
Luke Bryan Monday, March 9
Megan Moroney Tuesday, March 10
Since Lizzo grew up in Houston, her show will be just like Old Home Week, with plenty of shout-outs, fun, and maybe even a special guest or two. However, it’s hard to beat Dwight Yoakam, who is still conjuring up the sounds of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and Bakersfield honky-tonks.
Just a week or so after Cardi B destroyed various items (including a video monitor) in the “Saturday Night Live” offices while appearing as the show’s musical guest, she will be in Houston for a concert tonight at Toyota Center as part of her Little Miss Drama tour. It seems that Cardi (Ms. B?) was upset at the prospect of a Weekend Update joke mentioning her arch nemesis Nicki Minaj. In other news, at her San Francisco gig a few days later, the rapper appeared to be taunting her (recent) ex, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs, asking, “Who you playin’ with, motherfucker?” So, if you have VIP tickets for tonight’s concert that include a meet-and-greet, ixnay on the Ickinay and the Efonstay. OK?
When the Jayhawks first gained national attention with 1992’s “Waiting for the Sun,” some felt that the song sounded like the unholy offspring of a union between Neil Young and Bob Dylan, and they weren’t that far off the mark. The band has been through a number of personnel changes over the years, including the departure / rejoining / departure of founder Mark Olson. However, vocalist and guitarist Gary Louris has kept the band recording and touring sporadically over the years to generally positive reviews. Catch the Louris-led Jayhawks on Friday at the Heights Theater.