Top 10 live shows to see this month: April 2016

top-10-live-shows-concerts-in-houston-april-2016
Chic with Nile Rodgers | Photo: Alex Marshall

Plan ahead and mark your calendars with our top 10 picks for live music in Houston for April 2016.

Also in April 2016

Top 15 Things This Month

Top 12 Games & Sports Events

Top 15 Food & Drink Events

Top 12 Plays & Performances

Top 10 Live Shows & Concerts

Take in a relaxed evening of piano ballads on the UH campus, get the outdoor concert experience with by an American bluegrass influenced British folk group, hear the endless hits of the reigning country music queen, and slouch to the sounds of Grammy Award-winning slacker rock in EaDo.

We’ve got plenty of excellent shows and concerts to help you spring into summer with our tips for live music this month.

Top 10 Live Shows to See this Month in Houston

  • They Might Be Giants in Concert at Warehouse Live | Friday, April 1 – The Grammy Award-winning American alt-rock band return to Houston for a show at EaDo’s Warehouse Live Ballroom. Based in New York by way of Massachusetts, the Giants became known for their unconventional style of alternative music in even in their early 80’s beginnings. Throughout their long career, they have found success on the college radio charts, in their songs being placed as theme music for several television programs and films, and more recently in children’s music. Despite that, the show is ages 14 and up only. $22. 8pm.
  • Mumford & Sons in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Sunday, April 3 – Formed in 2007 out of London, the British group proudly wear their American bluegrass and folk influences on their rolled up flannel sleeves. Hear all the radio hits from the three albums under their shoe string belts and see their throw-back instrumentation of acoustic guitars, banjo, piano, and a double bass from the sunny lawn of Cynthia Woods. Tickets range from $39.50 to $59.50 before ticketing fees; but you may find cheaper, hard-to-get, or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale market. 7:30pm.
  • The Cave Singers in Concert at Rudyard’s British Pub | Thursday, April 7 – Take in the indie folk sounds of the Seattle-based Cave Singers in the intimate British pub setting of Rudyard’s later this month. Formed out of the ashes of multiple post-punk bands in Seattle, the eclectic folk that naturally exuded from the newly formed Cave Singers (at the time) was the breath of fresh air that they had been collectively looking for and are still following in 2016. $13 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
  • Little Green Cars in Concert at Walter’s Downtown | Tuesday, April 12 – Dublin folk rock quintet, Little Green Cars have been making waves in the UK and America since their formation in 2008. They’ve caught the attention of notable media outlets due to their extensive touring both on American soil and across the pond. See what the fuss is all about for yourself when they make their way Downtown to play from their last album, Absolute Zero. $12 not including ticket fees. 7pm.
  • Ben Folds & yMusic in Concert at Cullen Performance Hall | Saturday, April 16 – The American singer-songwriter, producer, and former judge of NBC’s The Sing-Off is back on the road and headed to the University of Houston’s Cullen Performance Hall. Folds is traveling with the classical music ensemble yMusic. Expect a night of great piano ballads on campus from the always lighthearted Folds. Starts at $29.50, not including ticket fees; but you may find cheaper, better or hard-to-get seats on TicketNetwork’s resale website. 8pm.
  • Carrie Underwood in Concert at Toyota Center | Tuesday, April 19 – After quickly rising to fame as the winner of American Idol’s fourth season in 2005, Underwood became a household name to both country music fans and just about anyone tuned into the radio. With seven Grammys to her name and more than 65 million records sold worldwide do yourself a favor and grab tickets for what’s sure to be a sold out country concert experience. Starts at $46 not including ticket fees, but you may be able to find limited tickets on TicketNetwork’s resale market. 7pm.
  • Thao & The Get Down Stay Down in Concert at Warehouse Live | Friday, April 22 – Enjoy a night of folky goodness in EaDo’s Warehouse Live by the San Francisco based rock band. Fronted by vocalist and guitarist Thao Nguyen, The Get Down Stay Down have been touring extensively and releasing albums since 2003 with no signs of slowing down. Expect an intimate show with more interplay between artist and audience in the smaller Studio area of the venue. $15 not including ticket fees. 8pm.
  • Eleanor Friedberger at The Raven Tower | Friday, April 22 – Most famous for her time spent as one half of art rock duo The Fiery Furnaces throughout the 2000s with her older brother, Friedberger began carving out her own path with a string of solo album releases in recent years. Touring now in support of her third and latest effort, New View, Friedberger even if on her own for a short while will have plenty of pop gems to shower the Houston audience in. $10 not including ticket fees. 7pm
  • Chic, plus Duran Duran, in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Saturday, April 23 – Although the band opens for 80s pop heartthrobs Duran Duran, this is your chance to hear the timeless disco hits from the band that helped define New York’s 1970s sound. Lead by their (still) trend-setting guitarist Nile Rodgers, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-nominated Chic considered themselves at the time to be a rock band for the disco movement. Finally bust a move to “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” while doing your best to hide you’ve been waiting your whole life to hear them live. Starts at $25 not including ticket fees; but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7pm.
  • Bonnie Raitt in Concert at Revention Music Center | Friday, April 29 – ‘Give ’em something to talk about’ after you catch a stellar concert by country and blues legend Bonnie Raitt. The ten time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter out of Burbank has become highly regarded for her guitar playing and voice throughout her 40+ year career. Don’t skip on your chance to see a living country legend and don’t be surprised when you hear her songs and know all the words. Starts $47.50 not including ticket fees; but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 8pm.
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Cody Swann
Cody Swann is a writer and musician born and raised in Houston. When he isn't recording or touring the country with his band, Wild Moccasins, he can be found covering live music and arts events for 365 Things to Do in Houston.