Live Music in Houston This September

September means summer is officially over (cue crying). With that, though, comes the excitement and promise of a new school year. Although September is always one of the busiest months of the year as everyone tries to get back into the swing of things, try to take some time out to see one of the many amazing concerts happening in Houston. I am shocked at the amount of amazing concerts going on this month, so count yourself lucky to live in a music-centric city! Treat yourself with some of the money you worked hard to earn all summer long!

Sept. 2: Buddy Guy @ House of Blues

Buddy Guy is a blues legend. If you like live music, rock, blues, or even jazz, this is a must-see. I have seen him many times in concert. In fact, every show of his that I've been to, he has traveled into the audience with his guitar and played right in front of me? Fate?! If you go to this show, stand near me!

Sept. 5: Lighthouse and Switchfoot @ House of Blues

An older band and a newer band join forces to put on a good, "soft-rock" show. "Dare You To Move" is a Switchfoot classic you didn't know you knew.

Sept. 7: Goo Goo Dolls and Phillip Phillips @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Goo Goo Dolls are a classic ("Iris," anyone?), and Phillip Phillips is a modern American Idol winner with hits like "Home" and "Gone, Gone, Gone." At the very least, you can expect great vocals at this show.

Sept. 9: Janet Jackson @ Toyota Center

Throwback! Janet Jackson is known for her elaborate live performances, and if you'd like to check the box of having seen an original Jackson 5 member in concert off your list, here you go!

Sept. 9: AfriFEST @ Houston Baptist University

AfriFEST stands for African Festival, and is a great place to learn about African culture, eat some great food, listen to some amazing music, and buy some cool crafts. 

Sept. 10: ZZ Top @ Smart Financial Centre

Texas rockers unite! Few people sing about Texas and Houston better than ZZ Top. This is sure to be a fun evening filled with the classic ZZ Top hits.

Sept. 12: Metro Station @ Walters Downtown

"Shake It" was a hit during my middle school years, but Metro Station has managed to stay on the scene even since then. Fun fact: Miley Cyrus' brother Trace is a member of Metro Station!

Sept. 12: OneRepublic @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

OneRepublic previously put out some stand-out hits ("Stop and Stare," "Secrets), but even recently have been adding to their already amazing setlist with songs like "Counting Stars" and "No Vacancy." The show also features Fitz & The Tantrums, who will also put on a great show.

Sept. 16: Zac Brown Band @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

There are lots of good shows at Cynthia Woods this month! Zac Brown is a Cynthia Woods favorite, performing well in the large, outdoor theater. A recurring act at the Rodeo, Zac Brown Band loves Houston. Songs like "Chicken Fried" are fun and easy to sing along to.

Sept. 16: Rice vs. UH Football @ TDECU Stadium

No, this isn't a concert, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention an awesome hometown football game between two great schools! Cheer for your school, and if you don't have a tie to either school, cheer for Rice, since there's a lesser chance of us winning... Me, biased? No... (Go Owls!).

Sept. 19: Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue @ House of Blues

I've seen Trombone Shorty a couple of times, the most recent being at the Red Hot Chili Peppers' most recent show in Houston (TS was the opening act). Trombone Shorty has come a long way from belting out solos at Jazz Fest without a backup band, to now having great backing musicians, fun lights and stage presence, and best of all- a following! In a world that seems to care less and less about live music, especially blues and jazz, Trombone Shorty brings young people into the mix by playing catchy blues and jazz riffs in a dance club way with loud music, bright lights, and screaming trombone solos.

Sept. 20: Banks @ Warehouse Live

Banks is a fairly new artist whose style ranges from R&B to rock to alternative. I predict she will become huge within the next few years, so go see her live while it's still affordable!

Sept. 21: Tedeschi Trucks Band @ Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks are a husband-and-wife duo who individually rocked their ways into rock history. Trucks has played with numerous legends, including the Allman Brothers. I've seen them perform together and apart, and if there's one concert in this list (maybe besides Buddy Guy) that will show off fantastic guitar and vocal skills, it's this one.

Sept. 21: Dr. John @ House of Blues

Also that night, blues/jazz piano legend Dr. John will be playing at HOB. You know Houston is a great music stop when you have to pick between two great live blues shows.

Sept. 21: Steve Winwood @ Smart Financial Centre

But wait! There's more! Also that night, rock god Steve Winwood is playing in Sugar Land. A close compadre of Eric Clapton and a former member of Traffic, Winwood is a favorite of mine, with catchy songs like "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." Sound too avant garde for you? Although popular in his own right, Winwood is one of the greatest influences and behind-the-scenes rockers for a lot of British Invasion artists. Of the three performances on the 21st, you're most likely to catch me at this one.

Sept. 22: Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull @ Toyota Center

How could you say no to Enrique or Pitbull? With some Latin flair, these two performers have been around long enough to know how to excite a crowd and put on a fun, easy-to-sing-along-with show.

Sept. 22: Jon Bellion @ Revention Music Center

I saw Jon Bellion at Free Press, where he put on a cool show that strayed from the overplayed pop radio hits. He added great live elements to his songs, playing to a very pumped crowd. I expect a similar show at Revention this fall.

Sept. 22: Luke Bryan @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Much like the 21st, the 22nd is chock full of good shows. This time, you don't have to pick between three shows of the same genre, though. For my country and pop fans, Luke Bryan is here to save the day! A trained performer who knows how to liven up a crowd, Luke Bryan is never a bad idea.

Sept. 23: Gavin DeGraw and NeedToBreathe @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Two soft-rock/pop artists come together for a combo you never knew you needed. Gavin DeGraw is known for his hits "I Don't Want to Be" and "Not Over You," while NeedToBreathe (a Christian group) is known for sons "Brother" and "Something Beautiful."

Sept. 26: Kiss @ Smart Financial Centre

Do you want to rock and roll all night? (And party every day). Sorry, I had to. I've seen Kiss before at Cynthia Woods, and they put on an outrageously fun performance with fake blood, fire, metallic costumes, the classic facepaint, and so much more. If you are sensitive to bright lights, this may not be the show for you, but if you like theatrical performances that involve sticking your tongue out and flashing the "rock and roll" hand sign about every 30 seconds, this is the show for you!

Sept. 29: Paramore @ Smart Financial Centre

Although I wouldn't peg Paramore for a Smart Financial type, this angsty pop band will put on a great show wherever they go. They have a repertoire of good songs, ranging from older hits "Crushcrushcrush" to newer hits like "Ain't It Fun."

Sept. 30: Cold War Kids @ White Oak Music Hall Lawn

I saw Cold War Kids in concert a while ago, before I knew their music well. I've grown to appreciate their alternative rock vibe, and I really like their popular song "First." I haven't yet seen a show at White Oak Music Hall, but I've heard great things, so this might be a good one to explore. Young the Giant and Joywave will also be performing that night.

See all posts by Haley here.