HO2007 — Houston Nightlife - Music

For folk, roots rock, Celtic music, and great singer/songwriters, McGonigel's Mucky Duck is a music fan’s dream. The quaint Irish pub hosts Texas musicians such as Kelly Willis, Sisters Morales, Bob Schneider, and others.

Another pub with a reliable music scene is Rudyard's British Pub. It’s off the beaten path and easy to miss. Look for the neon "Rudz" over the door. The upstairs stage ranges from punk to honky-tonk. Don't miss the Old West-themed wrought iron railings by artist Mike Miano.

A mighty Montrose institution since 1979, Numbers, or "#s 2" as the sign reads, has hosted a Who's Who of popular music (R.E.M., Erasure, Soundgarden, Counting Crows, Iggy Pop, and others) before they became household names. More recently Numbers has booked Mates of State, The Black Keys, and Houston’s own Blue October.

Jazz lovers dig the confortable confines of Cezanne's second-story Montrose space, a jazz staple perched above the Black Labrador Pub. Cezanne's intimate, 40-seat venue hosts live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights.

A new jazz joint, 57 West Jazz Cafe near The Galleria, opened to rave reviews in late 2006. The cafe is open daily for lunch and dinner with a jazz brunch on Sundays. Big-name acts perform on the weekends.

A few blocks east of downtown's Minute Maid Park, rock, pop, reggae and alternative acts play their hits and push their merch at Warehouse Live. This pristine venue located in a renovated 1920s warehouse boasts large and small stages and a touch of class not found at most concert locations.

On the other side of downtown, Verizon Wireless Theater at Bayou Place hosts a stellar array of concerts and performances. The venue’s capacity ranges from 1,900 to 2,800, depending on the floor setup, so concerts maintain an intimate feel, while drawing popular acts.

GuestLife Don't Miss - Live Music: Who to See

Beyoncé may be the best-known performer from Houston — no other Houston celeb can claim one-name status. Like a true Texan, she remembers her roots and performs in her hometown almost every year.

Local singer-songwriter legend Lyle Lovett gives some of his best performances when surrounded by Texans. Don’t miss a chance to hear his eloquent and often hilarious intros to his unique songs. Whether backed by his 14-piece Large Band or his 26-piece orchestra, each concert is a musical extravaganza.

Houston-based rockers Blue October may have experience national demand in recent years, but their shows in Houston are always off the charts.