Live Music in Houston This July

Haley Kurisky loves Houston's music scene. Here she's pictured (on right) with Texas folk-rock legend Joe Ely (on left) at a past concert. 

Haley Kurisky is a rising junior at Rice University and a graduate of Memorial High School who's passionate about Houston. 

Although cities in Texas like Austin and San Antonio are known for their live music hotspots, Houston has a thriving live music culture of its own. If you're looking for a show to attend in the next two months of summer, look no further! Whether you want plans for 4th of July (there are patriotic-themed concerts at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion and Miller Outdoor Theatre), or want to showcase your own musical talents, there is a place and a time for you to do that in Houston.

For more family-friendly events, check out Miller Outdoor Theatre, located outside in Hermann Park in the Museum District. Kids can play around in the grass and watch the show, and most events are free. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion provides a covered, seated venue for a huge range of shows, including Blink-182 (on July 31) and comedian Jim Gaffigan (on July 9). Below is a list of some of the coolest concert-related events this summer in Houston.

Most of the events are free or low-cost, so there's no excuse for not having cool concert stories to share at the end of the summer.

July 1 - Joe Ely @ McGonigel's Mucky Duck: Joe Ely is a living Texas legend, with a folk-rock sound. Check him out at this smaller, adults-only club.

July 2 - Johnny Rivers @ Miller Outdoor Theatre 

July 2 - Nathan Bonnes @ McGonigel's Mucky Duck: Nathan Bonnes, a singer-songwriter, is a Rice alum. Come support a local artist!

July 3 - Star Spangled Salute @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: Perfect for those who want to celebrate July 4th through music. Maybe there will be fireworks?

July 3 - Clutch City Bhangra Competition @ Revention Music Center: Bhangra is a type of Indian dance that is performed in teams across the world. Come see some really good dancing on the 3rd!

July 3 - Houston Songwriter Series @ Dean's Downtown: This free event occurs every Sunday at 7 p.m. for locals to showcase their talents.

July 4 - ExxonMobil Summer Symphony Nights: Star-Spangled Salute @ Miller Outdoor Theatre: Great music and great fireworks - can't miss!

July 5 - Twenty One Pilots @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: Don't miss the hottest band of the summer playing in Houston in July!

July 8 - Halsey @ Revention Music Center

July 8 - It's Just Rap Fest @ Warehouse Live: If you live and breathe rap music, don't miss this party and concert combo at Warehouse Live!

July 9 - Jim Gaffigan @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: Looking for a different kind of concert? How about a show from a comedian?

July 10 - Sunday Acoustic Jams @ Last Concert Cafe: Listen to Houstonians play acoustic songs at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday!

July 12-16 - Million Dollar Quartet (Musical) @ Miller Outdoor Theatre

July 14 - Drake vs. Kanye Tribute Party @ Warehouse Live: A party and a concert wrapped up in one, this even at Warehouse live is a must-do for all rap lovers, especially Drake and Kanye fans.

July 18 - Go DJ Awards @ NRG Stadium

July 21- Dreamworks Animation in Concert ft. Houston Symphony @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: Perfect for kids, this event includes music and visuals.

July 23 - Pitbull @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell

July 29 - Meghan Trainor with Hailee Steinfeld and Common Kings @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: One of Hollywood's "it" girls, right now, Meghan Trainor is sure to impress at Cynthia Woods Mitchell.

July 31- Blink-182 with A Day to Remember and The All-American Rejects @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell: Looking to throw it back to the '90s and early 2000's? Don't miss Blink-182 at the end of July, with cool special guests.

Find other upcoming events on our calendar.