Houston’s Weekend Music Guide

The Halloween weekend does not, in fact, signal a dearth of concerts and live shows in Houston. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. From a RSVP-only Halloween bash, cult (pun intended) ’80s rockers, to an emotional singer-songwriter, we have you covered for the diverse weekend ahead.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30

Abdu Ali with B L A C K I E @ Fitzgerald’s, 9 pm
Likeminded experimental artists converge at the definitely-not-closed current incarnation of Fitzgerald’s. Abdu Ali pairs with local artist Michael LaCour, also known as B L A C K I E, as a meeting of the free-jazz-meets-noise-meets-punk-meets-hip-hop minds. Hailing from Baltimore, Abdu Ali, who often works with fellow Baltimore eccentric Schwarz, is four releases deep into his career as a one-of-a-kind artist who blends a wall of sound into a chaotic live experience (I should know–I’ve seen him at Rice University perform as a circle of fans gathered around and pushed each other – as well as Abdu himself – around).

Nox Externa Presents: Malefice Masquerade @ a secret location, 9:30 pm
Nox Externa and DEFUNKT, two local art collectives, are throwing their annual All Hollow’s Eve fest, Malefice Masquerade, at a secret downtown location. RSVP to find out where their signature mix of local artists – typically those of an electronic and experimental nature – collide at an all-night dance party. BYOB. RSVP here. Local artists include: a DJ set from Fat Tony, FLCN FCKR, Matsu Mixu, Josiah Gabriel, Christian Alexander, and Pfaffenberg.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31

The Cult @ House of Blues, 8 pm
’80s rockers The Cult pick a good day to come to Houston – the English post-punk band always flirted with a gothic image, as their hit “She Sells Sanctuary” proved. Songwriter/lead vocalist Ian Astbury knows how to weave pop songwriting with a hard sound that naturally emerged from the ashes of the British punk scene. Thirty years strong, The Cult comes to the House of Blues Halloween night. We Were Wolves opens.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1

DIIV @ Numbers, 7 pm
Pegstar invites indie-rockers DIIV to Numbers. Z. Cole Smith is the brainchild behind the Brooklyn act, who burst onto the indie scene in 2012 with Oshin, and a sound equally indebted to Nirvana as it was The Beach Boys. Riding a wave that colleagues like Real Estate, Ducktails, and Smith Westerns also share, DIIV bring their laidback, gently psychedelic guitar tunes to Numbers for another Pegstar show.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Rachael Yamagata @ Warehouse Live, 8 pm
Speaking of “gentle,” Yamagata comes to the Studio at Warehouse Live for an intimate set this Monday night. A capital-S Songwriter, Yamagata has been blending an adult contemporary sound for more than a decade, having collaborated with the likes of Jason Mraz, Rhett Miller, Bright Eyes, Ryan Adams, Toots and the Maytals, and Ray Lamontagne. Don’t let the coffeeshop vibes fool you, however: Behind the serene sounds is a quietly devastating pen. My Name is You opens.