Students will have more than 80 reasons to put their studies on the back burner this weekend, as Montrose becomes an epicenter of local art and music starting at noon Saturday between the 300 and 500 block of Westheimer Road.
With eight stages and more than 80 Houston-based acts, Westheimer Block Party will once again give patrons a healthy dose of this city’s potent music scene, free of charge.
In its seventh session, however, the Free Press Houston-presented event will not only offer patrons a bigger bill, with 30 more bands from last year, it will also play host to a greater range of sounds, making way for Houston’s growing music scene.
Desmond Zavala will share its laid-back, experimental rock sound, abundant with bluesy undertones and soothing guitar riffs, at 3 p.m. at Avant Garden’s upstairs stage, 411 Westheimer Road Giant Princess will unleash its raw, garage rock-esque set at 7:30 p.m.
Sideshow Tramps (Medicine Show) will take over the venue’s outside stage with its wave of fast-paced, country tunes laced with unrelenting banjo licks and folk-smothered harp solos at 3:45 p.m.
Two Star Symphony will treat listeners to an evening show filled with an array of off beat, orchestral sounds at 10:45 p.m. at the venue’s upstairs stage. Cover charge for the late show is $5.
The Austin Layne Hotel stage, 408 Westheimer Road., will welcome the folk-tinged sounds of News on the March, Buxton and listen listen. News on the March will perform at 3 p.m., and listen listen will play at 7:30 p.m. Solo acoustic act Phillip Fosh’eacute;e will perform at 12:45 p.m. and the Literary Greats will strut their warm, indie-rock-meets-country sound at 5:15 p.m.
Concertgoers can check out Austin-based group the Eastern Sea’s sophisticated repertoire of well-crafted, indie-rock-infused songs at 6:35 p.m. at Mangos’ inside stage, 403 Westheimer Road. Wolves at the Door serve up its energetic, progressive-rock sound at 8:50 p.m.
The Wild Moccasins will greet patrons at Mangos outside stage with their bright and inviting collection of indie-pop sing-a-longs at 1:30 p.m. The Mathletes will take the stage at 3 p.m. with an onslaught of quirky rhythms and dance-worthy tunes.
DJs D major, Henry Crow, Esteban Torres and Fixture, among others, will spin on the rooftop at La Strada, 322 Westheimer Road, throughout the event.
For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit www.freepresshouston.com.
