Just because Houston’s music scene doesn’t boast as many big names or bring in as many bands as that of Austin or Dallas, it’s not an excuse to spend the entire fall semester sulking or wishing you had gone to the famed Austin City Limits.
Houston’s music scene manages to pull in some of the most talented and alluring musicians while offering concertgoers a wide selection to choose from, so take advantage of it. The artists slated to perform within the next few months will surely satisfy your musical appetite – whatever it may be.
Rock
Witness savvy female punk rockers, The Donnas, as they grace concertgoers with their refreshing, catchy blend of power guitar solos and raunchy guitar riffs Oct. 17 at Meridian (1503 Chartres St.).
Chicago-based indie-rock quartet The Sea and Cake will take the stage Sept. 23 at Warehouse Live, Studio (813 St. Emanuel St.) along with their mixture of smooth, quirky and subtle grooves.
The female-fronted San Francisco-based experimental rock group Deerhoof will offer concertgoers a chance to kick up their heels to the band’s unconventional, catchy and downright captivating tunes as they play along with headliners Bloc Party and opening act J versus K Sept. 21 at Warehouse Live, Ballroom.
Alternative rock fans should check out the instrumental ambient rock quartet Maserati, By The End Of Tonight, indie-rock group Sharks And Sailors, Blades and Le Crash Club Sept. 7 at The Mink (3718 Main St.).
For an upbeat indie show with groovy dance beats to boot, don’t miss the synth-savvy, Georgia-based Of Montreal as they stop by Numbers (300 Westheimer Road) on Nov. 2.
In the mood for blues? Classic blues guitarist Johnny Winter will perform Oct. 12 at Meridian. Known for his all-out electric slide guitar blues-rock solos, Winter has traversed the realms of British blues-rock and American Southern rock for more than 30 years.
Country
Country enthusiasts are in for a treat. Alan Jackson and Brooks ‘ Dunn will deliver a night filled with love-tinged, old-time country favorites as they hit the stage Sept. 7 at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (2005 Lake Robbins Drive).
Rap, hip-hop
West coast rapper Del the Funky Homosapien will take the stage along with Devin The Dude, an underground rap artist whose work is frequented by hip-hop legends Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, Oct. 2 at Warehouse Live, Ballroom.
Hip-hop luminary Aesop Rock will perform Nov. 14 at Warehouse Live, Ballroom along with the more psychedelic sounds of Black Moth Super Rainbow and Blockhead.
Symphony
Diverse Works (1117 East Fwy.) will play host to the sinister sounds of Houston-based Two Star Symphony on Saturday. The octet, complete with percussion, strings and woodwinds, is known for drenching their arrangements with highly whimsical yet murky undertones.
Relive your favorite James Bond theme songs as the Houston Symphony takes audiences through its renditions of "Goldfinger," "You Only Live Twice," "Diamonds are Forever" and more at 007: The Music of James Bond on Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 at Jones Hall (615 Louisiana St.).
Delve into a sea-inspired musical adventure as the Houston Symphony also brings Pirates of the Symphony, arrangements based on themes from Pirates of the Caribbean and "The Storm" from Rossini’s William Tell Overture Oct. 13 at Jones Hall.
