Houstonist is happy that we secured our Wilco tickets a couple of months ago, now that tonight's show at Verizon Wireless Theater is sold out. Jeff Tweedy and company consistently make great albums, even if the style is inconsistent with each album. The Chicago-based band's latest, Sky Blue Sky, is a little more mellow compared to their last few releases, but this song, "Impossible Germany," (the video was recorded live) is one of the......

We’ve got a busy week on the concert front. Our favorite duo from New York arrives at The Meridian tomorrow night. They Might Be Giants have been making quirky alt/pop songs for grown-ups over 20 years now, and a few albums for the kids that us grown-ups enjoy, too. Wilco’s Friday night show at Verizon Wireless Theater is sold out, but if you’re willing to pay a little, you can still get your hands......

Tonight, catch Grammy award-winning R&B vocalist, singer/songwriter Jill Scott at Verizon Wireless. Frequent visitor Bob Schneider makes his trip from Austin a little bit shorter tomorrow by playing at the Cypress Saloon in northwest Houston. Local faves Orange Is In is opening, which makes for a great double-bill. Another local act, The Mighty Orq, will be presenting a lot of new material at his CD release show at the Meridian Friday night (you’ll probably......

Several more venues are celebrating the holidays this week with showcases. The Meridian is hosting the annual Holiday Babes Christmas Party tomorrow night with our favorite local musical babe, Katie Stuckey. Verizon Wireless will be a haven for country singer/songwriter lovers tomorrow night (includes Roger Creager and Bruce Robinson). Warehouse Live celebrates twice with the Jingle Balls Friday night, showcasing local favorites Paris Green and Glass Intrepid, and their annual Eve of Christmas Eve......

A lighter week for concerts, but many home-state bred musicians are in town. Tomorrow night, we recommend San Antonio's Girl In A Coma, but if you prefer 90's rock, you might want to catch Dallas' The Toadies return to Verizon Wireless. Speaking of returns, Bandera's Robert Earl Keen brings his annual Christmas show to town Friday night. Saturday, Warehouse Live is hosting a few local bands, headlined by Million Year Dance. Not from Texas,......

December always brings some good mini-festivals, and this week is a good example. It starts tonight with the KILT 10-Man Jam, featuring many popular country radio stars. Tomorrow night, the husband/wife team of Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis come into town for their annual Christmas show. Saturday, Chron.com showcases some of the best local talent in their concert at Warehouse Live. Finally, KRBE's annual Jingle Jam brings pop radio's favorite to the Toyota Center......

Radio rock fans have a decision to make tonight: see the currently hot band Avenged Sevenfold at Warehouse Live or catch the now-grown-up Silverchair at The Meridian. Speaking of the 90's, old school rapper Tone Loc will stop off at Fitzgerald's Thursday night. Local eclectic classical trio Two Star Symphony plays a special show Saturday night on the St. Thomas campus. Another local favorite, The Mathletes, open a show at Rudyard's Saturday night. The......

We've already told about the concerts we're most excited about this week: Peter Bjorn and John at Warehouse Live and local artist Ethan Durelle at Fitzgerald's, both this Friday night. We also told you about Tori Amos' visit to Jones Hall this Sunday. If that's not enough for you, a lot of local acts are leaving their parent's dinner table early and playing some great shows all throughout the holiday weekend. Maybe you should......

Tonight, catch Soviet-born Regina Spektor and her unique "anti-folk" style at Warehouse Live. Tomorrow, catch Houston's own pop/rock outfit Prodigal Son at Rudyard's. Friday night is a tougher choice: you have Grupo Fantasma at the Continental Club (see our interview with them and win tickets), Ghostland Observatory at Warehouse (more details on them tomorrow), or if you're a club-goer, you may want to catch Paul Oakenfold on his "Greatest Hits" tour at Planeta Bar......

Now that Halloween is over, you’ll start hearing Christmas music everywhere you turn – on the radio, while shopping, and from that annoying singing Santa doll on your cubicle neighbor’s desk. Well, we have a sanctuary for you from Michael Bolton singing “Silent Night”: the "Houstonist iMix. Our picks for November include a track from excellent new CD from now Austin-based Sam Beam, otherwise known as Iron & Wine. The latest from Seattle’s indie-pop Band......

We're moving the weekly Live Music Calendar to Wednesdays to make room for our new weekly New CD Releases feature on Tuesday. OK, let's pretend you have a five-day date with some wannabe Sirius radio DJ and you have to wade through everything the city has to offer this week. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Well, good thing you listen to everything we have to say! May we recommend that you start off in familiar territory......

So many good shows this week, that we don’t have enough space to highlight all of them. Tonight, our pick is the pure pop sounds of Office tonight at The Mink (congratulations to Cynthia for winning tickets through us!). Singer/songwriter fans will have a touch choice Thursday night – Ryan Adams makes a rare Houston appearance at Verizon Wireless and former Toad the Wet Sprocket front man Glen Phillips plays two shows at the......

Local bands AWAKE and Together. We Are Instruments play at the ultra-hip Super Happy Fun Land. Other local favorites Prodigal Sons and Lanky open for emerging Geffen pop artist Matt White at Jet Lounge. Thursday, check out Twelve Girls Band: a dozen classically-trained musicians (all women, of course) playing both traditional Chinese songs and popular pop songs. Friday night, Beaumont's own classic blues-rocker Johnny Winter returns to Houston at the Meridian. Saturday, block-off your......

Plenty of good music in town this week to..uh...wet your musical whistle - if you will. Tonight you may want to check out some alternative hiphop at Warehouse Live with Del the Funky Homosapien or relive the 90's at Verizon Wireless with Live and Collective Soul. Later in the week the wild and whacky Blue Man Group is playing at Toyota Center -or- you could see Rilo Kiley at Warehouse Live -or- release your......

If you can't find a live show you like this week, then you're not trying hard enough. Tonight, NYC's (once) indie-rockers Interpol hits the Verizon Wireless Theater. For something more local, check out John Evans roots rock set at the Mucky Duck. Tomorrow night, German DJ Paul Van Dyke will have everyone dancing at Warehouse Live. The Meridian turns down the amp (just a bit) on Thursday night to host Americana flavored Junior Brown......

Houston is getting some great leftovers from ACL Fest this week. Yesterday was Arctic Monkeys & Queens of the Stone Age. It is disappointing to note that the Kaiser Chiefs show for Wednesday has been cancelled. However, on Thursday we recommend going to check out Midlake at Numbers. A lot of great music on Friday – anywhere from local favorite Today Castillo to indie band Deerhoof opening for Bloc Party. Nothing better than curing a......

HUGE Houston Roller Derby action this Sunday!! Come to the Verizon Theater for the Governor's Cup, where the Houston Roller Derby, Assassination City Roller Derby, Alamo City Roller Derby, Dallas Derby Devils and Texas Rollergirls will be battling for the title of Best League in the Lone Star State. Tickets for this big event are $20 each and are available at the Verizon Wireless Theater's box office. Doors open at 3:00 p.m. and the action......

It is a very diverse week for music in Houston. Arizona alt-rock band Scary Kids Scaring Kids hit the Meridian tonight. If you prefer down-home Americana, check out the trio Kane Welch Kaplin as they celebrate their new CD at the Mucky Duck Thursday night. Austin's Latin-fusion band Del Castillo play at Warehouse Live on Friday night. Saturday, singer/songwriter Mat Kearney will play his hit "Nothing Left to Lose" and more at the Meridian.......

This week is a little light on “big name” musical acts, but don’t let that get you down – there are still plenty of good local bands to see. Southern Rockers, Shinedown, are playing at Verizon Wireless on Wednesday. On Thursday you can check out Fulton Read, a strong new band from the Austin area, who is having their CD release party at Fitzgerald’s. Our pick for Friday is to see The Lemurs play......

> There are a lot of great acts in town this week with something for everyone's musical taste. The "big radio" shows include Rush, Nickelback, Puddle of Mudd, Korn, and Evanescence all of which take place outdoors at the Woodlands pavillion. Please remember it is still very hot...even at night. For those not wanting to face the night sweats, check out Texas indie rockers Centro-Matic on Wednesday and Eisley on Thursday. But to really get......

This week, don’t be looking for the big, A-list concerts, but that doesn’t mean that there’s a void of good live music choices. Last week’s big winner at the Houston Press Music Awards, The Dimes, will be playing at The Proletariat with several other bands Friday night. Sam Houston Race Park continues their summer concert series with Cory Morrow the same night. Saturday, you can take a step back into the 80’s with legendary......

A couple of concerts original scheduled this week were either canceled or postponed. The "Smooth Groove Tour," featuring Cameo, Morris Day and others has been postponed. If you have tickets, check the Reliant Arena website soon for the new date. If you had tickets to see American Idol Taylor Hicks, you can get a refund, but you won't get a chance to see the premature gray-haired Idol. His show was canceled due to bad......

This video is very fitting considering the past month(s) of rain we have been enduring*. It is also fitting because Travis is in town tonight playing at the Verizon Wireless Theater with John Paul White. Why Does It Always Rain on Me? is off of Travis’ second album, The Man Who (produced by Nigel Godrich), and led to the Band’s surge in popularity in the late 90’s and paved the way for other British......

This week is a musical Smorgasbord of live acts in town. Early in the week some good regional musicians (Carol Fran or The Troubadours for example) play around town. If you like Bob Schneider, you have two opportunities to catch him live (Friday and Saturday). Also, later in the week the once brit-pop giants Travis will be performing at the Verizon Wireless Theater along with Alabama’s John Paul White. Or if you feel like......

Tonight, rock fans will enjoy the Godsmack show at Verizon Wireless, but if you want something different, check out the eclectic Moodafaruka at the Mucky Duck. Tomorrow night, we highly recommend indie-pop/rock band The Format at The Meridian. The Proletariat is hosting a happy hour show with Get Him Eat Him. Saturday night gives you many Texas country/folk choices – Roger Creager after the horse races, Ray Wylie Hubbard at the Mucky Duck, and......

Beginning tomorrow, the ladies of the Houston Roller Derby will be busy, busy!!! Now, to keep the action moving, these ladies practice quite often (we think it's like three or four times per week, we are not certain - don't quote us on that!), but, they are gearing up to give Houston some love! Beginning tomorrow at 8:30 in the a.m. the ladies will be accepting donations/non-perishables at the Kroger at Buffalo Speedway and Westpark......

Back in January, B.B. King had to cancel two shows at the Grand 1894 Opera House in Galveston at the last minute while he was rushed to UTMB for flu symptoms. We're glad to have him back: his make-up shows are this Thursday and Friday night in Galveston