Tonight, get going over at Walter's, where the intriguing and experimental sounds of Chicago's Dead Rider will be here to either freak us out or blow our minds. This bizarre three-piece sounds all over the map on their latest drop from the Drag City label, Crew Licks. The soulful sounds of Houston's Rosewood Thievz come on as direct support while the energy-heavy jams of Only Beast open the all-ages show. Doors at 8 p.m.; $10 cover.
On Thursday, the always-entertaining electronica artist Bonobo takes the stage in the big room at House of Blues.The British-born and L.A.-based performer takes his cultivated sound to some new places on his latest release, Migration. No word of openers for the all-ages show, though that should change. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $25 to $30.
The Secret Group will host their own one year anniversary featuring a set from Wisconsin comic Shane Mauss. Mauss has made a name for himself by dropping jokes that are hard not to laugh at, and he's been on Showtime, Comedy Central, and had his own Netflix special. His 2015 album My Big Break is one of the funniest things you can hear, and he's a killer as far as comics go. There's a good chance that two solid Houston comics will be on as well as feature act and host for the all ages show with doors at 7 pm and tickets between $12 and $15.
Friday, head to 215 Grove for the all-ages Good Luck Friday suicide-prevention benefit concert, visual-art show and skate session. The hefty lineup includes a headlining set from Paul Wall, plus other performers like Lil Flip, Lil Keke, Doughbeezy, T2 the Ghetto Hippie, Android Genius, Josiah Gabriel and more. Doors at 5 p.m.; tickets $30 to $250.
Of course, you might want to head to House of Blues for the racy electropop of Sweden's TOVE LO, here supporting last year's Lady Wood and new single "Disco Tits." The singer's energetic live sets are always worth checking out and a new album, Blue Lips, is due next month. The interesting electronic hip-hop of Nigerian-born, Atlanta-raised rapper Daye Jack opens the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $25 to $39.
Insomnia Gallery will celebrate Friday the 13th with the Kill Kill Kill show featuring art, vendors, food and drinks, and music from several bands including Total Nightmare and Metanioa. It's all ages, free, and gets going around 7 p.m.
Rudyard's hosts the grindcore of Houston's Cryptic Void, toting the heavy riffs and intense vocals of latest release Into The Desert Temple. The death-metal of locals Insolvent will be on as direct support, followed by more metal from Thundertank and thrash from Richmond-based openers K.T.C.M. Doors for the 21 and up show open at 8 p.m.; cover is $6.
Sheer Mag needs to feel your love, but please ask permission first.
Photo Courtesy of Ground Control Touring
Saturday, start at Cactus Music, where massively talented writer (and Houston Press alum) Shea Serrano and illustrator Arturo Torres will swing by to discuss their latest book, Basketball (and Other Things). The book takes answers all kinds of hoops questions in Serrano's inimitable style, plus illustrations, meaning you'll want it for the bookshelf. There's a signing plus gratis beer for the adults; the all-ages event starts at 1 p.m. and is free to attend.
The 2017 installment of Dream Machine takes over 215 Grove with a set from Children of Pop. Alongside a ton of visual installations left-field locals, SCHMU, Whit and more will perform. Art, food, booze and more are all at your fingertips with more information here. Doors at 6 p.m.; tickets are $20 to $40.
In the studio at Warehouse Live, Kiki Maroon's Burly Q Lounge returns for another night of vaudeville-based entertainment. The seated show usually features a nice mix of comedy, side show acts, burlesque, and music. The sounds of Sherita Perez will be on hand this time alongside a slew of other talented acts. Doors for the all-ages show are at 7 p.m.; tickets are $25.
As Johnny Cash might say, Sturgill Simpson is good man to ride the river with.
The relaxed indie rock of Austin's The Rocketboys will be back in town over at Rockefellers. These guys sound like Coldplay and Death Cab For Cutie merged, so pick up this year's Certain Circles if you're into those groups. Melodic Houston indie-rockers Cast Off Pattern open the 21 and up show. Doors at 8 p.m.; tickets $10 to $12.
Walter's will host the blues-rock sounds of Houston's Clay Melton, who has become well-known for his guitar prowess and his energetic performances. His latest record, this year's Burn the Ships is a mix of blues and pop that everyone should take notice of. The indie folk-rock mixture of Devil Killing Moth will be on as direct support after openers the Paul Ramirez Band. Doors at 8 p.m.; cover is $10.
On Sunday, House of Blues has the taut and tense, and always entertaining, rockers of Spoon, still going strong after nearly 25 years. This year's Hot Thoughts ushers in an updated sound for the Austin mainstays, who are simply can't-miss live. The indie folk-rock of L.A.'s Mondo Cozmo opens the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $37 to $65.
Or you could seek out White Oak Music Hall for the industrial sounds of Germany's KMFDM. Their name means No Pity For the Majority, not the other acronym you've probably heard; if you're into bands like Nine Inch Nails you should know these guys did that sound first. ohGr, featuring members of Skinny Puppy, will open the all-ages show. Doors at 6 p.m.; tickets are $30. (Note: prog-metal masters Mastodon had to cancel due to a "scheduling conflict," but have promised to return.)
Alice Glass heats up Monday night in House of Blues' Bronze Peacock Room.
Photo by Jupiter Keyes/Courtesy of Sacks & Co
Monday, try heading to White Oak Music Hall downstairs for the popular Canadian indie-pop of ALVVAYS. Everyone was talking about the four-piece at the final Fun Fun Fun Fest, and their latest album, Antisocialites, is hard not to love. The spacey indie sounds of Nova Scotia's Nap Eyes open the all-ages show. Doors at 7 p.m.; tickets $15 to $20.
On Tuesday, most of you will probably be heading to Toyota Center for the always-entertaining music of The Weeknd. This guy gets more and more popular by the day; his latest, Starboy, is a mix of hip hop and R&B that's hard not to get into. Rapper French Montana takes direct support while Toronto's NAV opens the all-ages show. Doors at 6:30 p.m.; tickets $39.75 to $275.
Over at Continental Club, '80s pop-punk veterans the Parasites return to town, helping define the genre for more than 20 years. The Chicagoans' last proper release was probably Solitary, and they always kill onstage. Houston's Kemo For Emo acts as direct support while PRP will go on prior and the anarcho-punks of The Ancient Gods open the 21 and up show. Doors at 8 p.m.; $8 cover.
Rudyard's will host another monthly installment of the always-popular Grown-Up Story Time. The long-running show, brought to you by the creatives at Bootown, is becoming an institution; the 21 and up shows, presented at 8 and 10 p.m., typically sell out. Cover is $5. cover are always worth seeing.
That's about all that's worth making it out for this week. Like always, remember that drinking like an adult is what's best for everyone, and a safe ride home is just an app away.
