Houstonians have had plenty to get excited about lately. Aside from the fact that the Astros could bring home a World Series trophy, this week we’ll see plenty of entertaining options that aren’t just around the diamond at Minute Maid Park. Performances from Lizzo, Amine, and Nik Turner’s Hawkwind will all be here while locals like Vodi, El Lago and MyDolls round out the spaces in between.
Tonight, get going over at The Secret Group‘s $2 Bill Comedy show. Hosted by Victor Tran, Katie McGee, Stephen Brandau and Radu Bondar, the show usually has a pretty strong list of up-and-comics, plus $2 off draft beers and free chips and salsa. The 21 and up event has doors at 7:30 p.m.; $2 cover.
Thursday, get your space-rock fix when Nik Turner’s Hawkwind returns to town at Walter’s. The former Hawkwind member is here in support of his latest release, Life In Space. The proggy psych of Germany’s Hedersleben takes the middle slot, while the experimental ambient sounds of Austin’s Future Blondes open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $12 to $15.
In the studio at Warehouse Live, Los Skarnales bring their non-stop energy to headline a Houston Press-sponsored show in honor of Dia de los Muertes. These guys are right at 25 years together as a band; their blend of dancehall ska and Latin rhythms is as unbeatable as it gets. Their latest drop, 2015’s Another Day, Another Borrachera, proves they won’t be letting up anytime soon. The reggae-dub sounds of Indaskies start off the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $10.
Of course, you could get down with Lizzo over at White Oak Music Hall upstairs. Here in support of her latest slew of singles that includes the hit jam “Truth Hurts,” the always-energetic singer brings plenty of fire to her performances while proving she can still bring it to her former city of residence. The get down hip hop of LA’s Doja Cat will be on as direct support while Houston’s Fat Tony will get the night started with a DJ set. The all ages show has doors at 8 pm and tickets between $18 and $22.
On Friday, swing by Raven Tower to catch Houston’s Libby Koch on the patio. Koch tells it straight on her latest release, last year’s acclaimed Just Move On, and is definitely worth checking out live. The free, all-ages show gets going around 6 p.m.
In the Ballroom at Warehouse Live, super-heavy Soulfly will be on hand to break some heads. Featuring Max Cavalera of Sepultura, these guys can turn in some chaotic sets; their last album, Archangel, is pretty dark. However, at this show the band will perform Cavalera’s Nailbomb album Point Blank in its entirety. Chicago’s Harm’s Way and the death metal of Baltimore’s Noisem will go on prior. The sludge of Loddy Kong will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $22 to $25.
At Rockefellers, get all the twang your heart desires with Wayne “The Train” Hancock. Possibly one of the best voices to come out of the alt-country genre, Hancock is a real juke joint daddy, and his shows are always worth making it out for. His latest album, Slingin’ Rhythm, is his best in recent years. Houston’s DollyRockers heat things up beforehand, while the fun jams of Scott Ayers and JJ White, also known as Trick Baby will get the 21 and up show started. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $15 to $18.
By the way, if you were looking to catch Iron & Wine at The Heights Theater, the show has long since sold out.
Downstairs at White Oak Music Hall, it’s a night of infectious indie-pop with California’s Saint Motel. Their latest release, Saintmotelevision, is definitely catchy. Brooklyn’s Gibbz will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $20 to $24.
The D&W Lounge will host the debut show from Houston’s Narcons. It makes sense that a band on this year’s Day For Night bill should play at least once before the festival, so this is your chance to see if they’ll pass muster. Houston Press club-listings guru Tex Kerschen + Erika Thrasher of Studded Left bring what was formerly known as Pleasure 2 to the middle spot, while the electronic goodness of Collin will open the all-ages show. Gets going around 9 p.m.; 100 percent free.
The Continental Club hosts the one-man blues band of D. Kosmo. Kosmo embodies the blues like it’s an extension of his demeanor and his live shows surpass what you’d expect out of just one guy. His debut, Honeymoon, is definitely worth checking out. East Texas’ Country Willie Edwards will open the 21 and up show. Doors at 10 p.m.; cover TBD.
Saturday, begin at Cactus Music for an in-store celebrating the debut 7-inch of Houston psych-rockers Flower Graves. That single, “Savage,” is a great way to get into what this band does; the set itself should be fun and engaging. The all-ages event gets going around 3 p.m., it’s free, with gratis beer for the adults.
Later on over at Rockefellers, Houston’s Vodi Galveston’s El Lago play a dual album-release party. Vodi’s Talk proves that softer rock is still worth lending an ear to, while El Lago, they’ll perform tracks from their lush and beautiful debut Colors might remind you of Spiritualized and the Cocteau Twins. Jangly indie-rockers Astragal will get the 21 and up show started. Doors at 7 p.m.; $10 cover.
At Walter’s, the Triple B Records showcase of sorts features a headlining set from California’s Fury. Bringing the kind of hardcore that you might not walk away from, these guys are donating the proceeds of their new cassette, 2017 Promo, to Planned Parenthood. The hardcore punk of California five-piece Forced Order will be on as direct support, following L.A.’s Lock. The fast hardcore of Boston’s Glory will also be on hand, while Mr. Dusty will open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $12.
Somehow, all nine members of The Suspects are going to fit into the Foundation Room at House of Blues for a set. Once that gets figured out, the local dub-ska legends should drop a magical performance while digging into their expansive back catalog. DJ Simiyu will spin records into the late-night hours. Doors at 7:30 p.m; free show.
Upstairs at White Oak Music Hall, Houston’s MIEARS — possibly one of the hardest-working artists in town — will bring her electronica to life with a headlining performance. Her debut release, Who Will Save You?, is a mixture of ’80s synths and lush vocals. The electro-pop of Tee Vee will be on third, after a solo set by John Allen Stephens of New York City Queens. The danceable jams of Camera Cult will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $7 to $10.
The Ballroom at Warehouse Live will host the reggae and dub-tinged hip-hop of Matisyahu. Supporting this year’s Undercurrent, the New York rapper can flow on a mike like he was born with it in his hands. The soulful reggae-pop of California’s Common Kings takes the middle slot, while Orphan will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets between $32.50 to $139; the latter is a VIP package.
At Satellite Bar, it’s the beautiful sounds of headliners Merel & Tony with The Woe Woe Woes. These four combine off-kilter structures with amazing vocals to create melodies you weren’t sure existed. Houston indie-rockers A Sundae Drive and Houston’s A.S.S. will open the all-ages show. Doors at 9 p.m.; free.
Sunday, the ultra-catchy sounds of L.A.’s Poppy take over the Bronze Peacock room of House of Blues. The tunes on her latest release, Poppy.Computer, are about as catchy as it gets. No word of openers for the all-ages show, but that may change. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $18.
In the Ballroom at Warehouse Live, popular Portland rapper Amine will bring his high energy set in support of his debut, Good For You. Chicago’s Towkio will open the sold-out show. Doors at 8 p.m.
Monday, the lo-fi surf sounds of L.A.’s Sadgirl sail into Walter’s. The trio’s latest release, Vol. 3-Head to the Mountains, will leave you wanting more. Garage-poppers The Paranoyds will be beforehand, while Houston’s Velveteen Echo will open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; $10 cover.
Tuesday you can catch the New Wave-ish sounds of Bad Suns downstairs at White Oak Music Hall. Supporting last year’s Disappear Here, these guys usually put on a pretty fun show, to say the least. New York’s QTY will go on beforehand while California’s Hunny opens the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $20.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the National Women’s Conference, MyDolls will drop a set at UH’s The Grove. The Houston Music Hall of Famers changed the city’s punk scene when they began, and their latest album, It’s Too Hot For Revolution, definitely proves they’re not going anywhere. The free, all-ages event gets going at 8:30 p.m.; more information available here.
That’s about all that’s happening around town this week. Remember that everyone will get home safer by acting like a responsible adult, and that a safe way home is just an app away.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2017.
