Beyonce’s Sister Throws Houston’s Coolest Party, the Legendary SugarHill Shows Off and a New Concert Tower Quietly Opens

Houston’s concert scene brings plenty of action, but are you informed about the under-the-radar shows as well as the monster acts? PaperCity’s Matthew Ramirez cuts through the noise to find the best things to do around town. Let’s get to this weekend’s top picks.

SAINT HERON PRESENTS PROCLAMATION: HOUSTON HOSTED BY SOLANGE KNOWLES, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 @ JULEP
In this Houston installment of a long-running series, Solange (who now resides in New Orleans) returns to her hometown for an eccentric party as part of her “Proclamation” act. Upon entry, a mandatory proclamation will be asked of guests, and according to the invite, “we’ll have everything you’ll need.”

Whether it’s a written statement or interpretative dance, something will be asked of guests with tickets that will then be posted to the Saint Heron Records website (her personal record label). The coolest party going this weekend, Solange urges you toward “fellowship and leaving your woes on the dance floor.”

SUGARHILL PRESENTS: JAWWAAD, BLACK KITE, GUILLA, DOLLIE BARNES, CATCH FEVER, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15 @ WALTER’S
Legendary Houston recording studio SugarHill preps its release of a “Next Wave” compilation, showcasing the best rising stars of Houston’s local hip-hop/electronic and everything-in-between scene. Headlining things is Jawwaad, a local jazz-inspired musician who weds electro and Mos Def in equal fashion. Enigmatic and insanely talented, this is a chance to see one of Houston’s most engaging performers up close and personal.

TANLINES, SUNDAY, JANUARY 17 @ WALTER’S
Tanlines had a moment in 2010 at the perfect time, when bands like Empire of the Sun, Teenage Fantasy, Tennis, and Delorean were peaking in popularity. Hailing from Pittsburgh, Tanlines spent some time building a following in Brooklyn and working with people like Grizzly Bear‘s Chris Taylor, who produced their 2015 record Highlights for his Terrible Records label.

Handsomely mixing a chic blend of techno, ’90s hip-hop bass, and New Order-esque guitar riffs, Tanlines brings the party back to a time when Hipster Runoff was required reading, Bethany Cosentino and Nathan Williams were indie’s Beyonce and Jay Z, and absolutely everyone wore wayfarers on their way to class to match their Toms shoes. Wrestlers open.

THE RAVEN TOWER GRAND OPENING TUESDAY, JANUARY 19
As promotional group Pegstar work toward the grand opening of their mammoth new venue, White Oak Music Hall, that venue’s little brother will quietly open this week, dubbed The Raven Tower. A smaller venue compared to its flagship concert hall (where Raven Tower sits 500 feet away), this hall will lean toward smaller acts and local bands looking for a fresh new space to play.

A modest lineup has been announced, but look for the exciting Detroit band Electric Six and Eleanor Friedberger, of Fiery Furnaces, to grace the stage later this spring. A 1,800-square-foot patio (better to match the 1,000-square-foot interior), dozens of beers on tap, and under the shadow of its namesake tower (which used to be a bachelor pad), The Raven Tower aims to be a neighborhood haunt, the kind of place to relax in after a day at work, catch a game, or see a show.

Tuesday’s grand opening boasts Matthew Logan Vasquez of The Delta Spirit performing with local fave Buxton, with Kelly Doyle and Grand Old Grizzly slated to open. LaMacro taco truck will be outside.