Plan ahead and mark your calendars with our top picks for live music in Houston for January 2016.
Also in January 2016
Take in a relaxed evening of music by a seasoned quintet, get the big budget concert experience with the original material girl, pay tribute to the king of rock and roll and the thin white duke with a cover night mashup unlike any other, and sip a drink to the acoustic sounds of a veteran singer-songwriter.
We’ve got plenty of excellent shows and concerts to help you roll out the new year with our tips for live music this month.
Top 9 Live Shows to See this Month in Houston
- Texas Roots series with Apollo Chamber Players at Match | Friday, January 8 – Explore a fusion of Texas-bred musical genres that celebrate the unique history of our great state at the Midtown Art and Theater Center Houston. The new series, lead by the highly-lauded Apollo Chamber Players, will find the quintet bridging the gap between classical music and folkloric influences in a newly commissioned piece based on Texas folk and indigenous music. Tickets start at $10 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
- Bowie & Elvis Tribute Festival at Continental Club | Saturday, January 9 –
St. Arnold Brewery presents the 6th annual David Bowie and Elvis Presley Tribute Festival at the Mid-Main located Continental Club. Why the party for the two legends? — Little known fact: the two rock n’ roll phenoms share the same birthday and in honor of such a birthday party blowout like no other. Expect live music from talented local acts, food, games, a costume contest, burlesque dancers and much more. Tickets at the door are $15. 7pm. - Madonna in Concert at Toyota Center | Tuesday, January 12 – The original material girl returns to Houston with the Rebel Heart Tour hot off the release of her thirteenth studio album bearing the same name. Hear her hits that helped define the 80’s and plenty from her latest effort when she makes her way to Toyota Center later this month. Tickets start at $40 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
- The Legendary Shack Shakers at Rudyard’s | Thursday, January 14 – Hailing from Paducah, Kentucky and formed in the mid-90’s, the rockabilly Shakers will be bringing their southern brand of rock n’ roll to Rudyard’s once again. Lead by vocalist and founding member J.D. Wilkes, known for his theatrical stage performances, the group’s trademark energetic sets and old time influences are sure to be on display at the Montrose-neighborhood pub later this month. Tickets start at $12 not including ticket fees. 9pm.
- Tanlines at Walter’s Downtown | Sunday, January 17 – Enjoy a night of dance floor pop gems by Brooklyn-based electronic duo Tanlines at Downtown mainstay, Walter’s. Hot off the release of their latest record, Highlights, the new release finds the duo shedding their electronic samples for a more old-fashioned approach with techno synths and guitars. If Tanlines’ experimental dance pop isn’t enough to get you to mark your calendars, you can count on a dance party in and of local openers Wrestlers who kick off the night. Tickets start at $15 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
- River Oaks Chamber Orchestra Brass Quintet at Match | Friday, January 22 – Hear Houston’s own ROCO Brass Quintet display their chops in the 2nd part of their 3 concert series at Midtown Art and Theater Center Houston. If you missed them the first time through here’s your chance to catch what’s sure to be another must-see show by the quintet. Expect a high-energy performance by the seasoned ensemble that takes you on an auditory journey through jazz standards and classical compositions. Tickets for general admission start at $25 not including ticket fees; students with I.D. $10. 7:30pm.
- Grace Potter in Concert at House of Blues | Friday, January 29 – Best known for her work with her band The Nocturnals, who formed in 2002 out of Waitsfield, Vermont, the self-made Roots rock five piece have been touring extensively and releasing records consistently ever since. Singer and multi-instrumentalist Potter, who has released two solo albums outside of the band, now finds herself enjoying the fruits of her labor in sold out shows and notoriety amongst peers. Known for her passionate performances, Potter evokes singers of blues rock past like Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt while carving out her own path. Tickets start at $25 not including ticket fees. 7pm.
- Giant Kitty Album Release Party at Walter’s Downtown | Friday, January 29 – Enjoy a night of new music by local band Giant Kitty whose latest album will be made available for purchase for the first time at the release party. Girl in a Coma side-project and San Antonio punk favorite, Fea complete the bill. Tickets start at $7 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
- Shake Russell at Mucky Duck | Sunday, January 31 – The Texas singer-songwriter has been entertaining audiences for more than three decades with his well crafted Americana – and after thirty years the prolific Russell has recorded and co-written on more hits than you know of and he can probably remember. Hear for yourself and sing along when you know the words at the folk-friendly Mucky Duck. Tickets start at $28 not including ticket fees. 6pm.