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Concerts

The 10 Best Acts at Houston Whatever Fest

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T.J. MILLER Comedian Miller was trying to deliver a funny bit on the unsung merits of being peanut butter's inventor, but some boneheads at the foot of the stage kept interrupting. He tried various means of calming them down, showing way more restraint than they deserved. Finally, they quieted. "And, just as I am trying to bring some focus in,...a marching band!"

Across the street, Rebirth Brass Band had arrived and was leading a loud procession into Warehouse Live. It was a moment Miller didn't design but chose to own, by urging the entire audience to rush across the street with him to chant "Andrew W.K.!" at the band, in faux protest. And then, he bolted from the stage and Pied Pipered a full festival crowd along.

Miller cut his teeth on improvisational comedy, so he was following his heart as others were following him -- to the great confusion of Rebirth, I'd add. But, it was inspired and exhilarating. His set was genuinely funny, but that moment proved why he's in demand, made him lots of new fans and showed that anything can happen at Whatever Fest, which is something to build on as the event moves forward. JESSE SENDEJAS JR.

MUTEMATH I don't think there's any arguing that Saturday was the more successful day of the two. To be honest, it would've been a safe bet to make it just a one-day festival or day and a half, but switching Friday evening for Sunday. But while Saturday was the champion, it was mainly for the music and comedy on display throughout the course of the day.

MuteMath were the headliners for a reason, and showed why with a blistering performance that highlighted their latest material from a yet to be released record that should be hitting shelves sometime this year. Starting with a crowd-surf by suave-as-fuck front man Paul Meany on an LED-lit air mattress, their show was hot and never let up. Every tired soul at Whatever Fest was re-energized thanks to the hour-plus they were onstage. JIM BRICKER

REBIRTH BRASS BAND If Mute Math were the steak dinner, Rebirth Brass Band were the banana split. While they were a bit of a different choice compared to the rest of Saturday's lineup, they provided the perfect afterparty for those that still hung around into the early-morning hours of Sunday. It was a revival -- a funk and soul explosion.

While I think most of the crowd were there just to see Rebirth, I know they gained a few fans from the MuteMath crowd that made it to the small room next door. They really killed their portion of the event, and in the process made this writer a poor tired soul come first thing the next morning. JIM BRICKER

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