Everybody’s playing in Texas this spring — from Olivia Rodrigo to Willie Nelson, and Phoebe Bridgers to Judas Priest, along with a sprinkling of Gen X acts (choose your fighters: Ice Cube and friends or New Kids on the Block).
These are our top picks for the 50 best upcoming shows across the state.
Judas Priest at The Pavillion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas) on March 18
Because you’ve been looking for an excuse to wear that leather jacket
Buddy Guy at House of Blues (Houston) on March 19 and at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (Austin) on March 20
Because if seeing Buddy Guy live isn’t already on your bucket list, you need to add it
Shawn Mendes and Sebastián Yatra at Moody Amphitheater (Austin) on March 19
Because it turns out your 16-year-old niece was right about music all along
Dashboard Confessional and Jimmy Eat World at 713 Music Hall (Houston) on March 22
Because it’s time to party like it’s 2002
Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Group at The Grand 1894 Opera House (Galveston) on March 25 and at Gruene Hall (Austin) on March 27
Because what’s more Texas than seeing Lyle Lovett at two legendary Texan venues?
Yola at Heights Theater (Houston) on March 26 and at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (Austin) on March 27
Because her al fresco Tiny Desk (Home) Concert was a thing of beauty
Tyler, The Creator with Kali Uchis at Toyota Center (Houston) on March 27
Because you already know you’ll be talking about this show for years to come
Bon Iver at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas) on April 3
Because there’s something so cathartic about crying to your favorite sad songs at a concert
Latto at The Factory in Deep Ellum (Dallas) on April 3
Because “Big Energy” has been stuck in your head since it came out
The Darkness at Granada Theater (Dallas) on April 3
Because you still believe in a thing called love
Charli XCX at Austin City Limits Live at The Moody Theater (Austin) on April 8, House of Blues Houston on April 9 and House of Blues Dallas on April 10
Because we’re finally able to dance around in a room packed with sweaty people again
Ice Cube and Friends at Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land (Dallas) on April 10
Because from “Straight Outta Compton” to Are We There Yet?, you’ve always been an Ice Cube fan
Turnpike Troubadours at Billy Bob’s (Fort Worth) on April 21 and at John T Floore Country Store (San Antonio) on May 6
Because you like your country with an extra side of fiddles
Girl Talk at Granada Theater (Dallas) on April 22 and at Emo’s Austin on April 23
Because he lights the path forward for all the other biomedical engineering students out there
John Mayer at Moody Center ATX on April 20, Toyota Center (Houston) on April 23 and American Airlines Center (Dallas) on April 24
Because he must be doing something right
H.E.R. at Moody Amphitheater (Austin) on April 21
Because 14 million monthly Spotify listeners can’t be wrong
Death Cab for Cutie at 713 Music Hall (Houston) on April 28
Because you’ve been listening to them on repeat since high school
John Fogerty at Billy Bob’s (Fort Worth) on April 30
Because your musical taste is getting closer to your dad’s every day
Justin Bieber at Moody Center ATX on April 27 and American Airlines Center (Dallas) on May 1
Because actually the music isn’t half bad?
Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion (Houston) on May 6
Because you’ve been meaning to break in those cowboy boots
Haim at Moody Amphitheater (Austin) on May 4, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas) on May 5 and 713 Music Hall (Houston) on May 6
Because you wish you and your siblings had an internationally beloved band, instead of just a dormant group chat
Coldplay at Cotton Bowl (Dallas) on May 6 and at the NRG Stadium (Houston) on May 8
Because, like fine wine and reruns of The Office, some things just get better with age.
Orville Peck at The Factory (Dallas) on May 6 and White Oak Music Hall (Houston) on May 10
Because you’re hoping fringe headgear is the hot trend of 2022
Olivia Rodrigo at 713 Music Hall (Houston) on May 12 and Moody Amphitheater (Austin) on May 13
Because “Drivers License” is eternally relevant
Paul McCartney at Dickies Arena (Fort Worth) on May 17
Because you just have a feeling that this guy might make it big
T-Pain at The Factory in Deep Ellum (Dallas) on May 18
Because you still can’t get over his Masked Singer win
Phoebe Bridgers at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory (Dallas) on May 19 and Moody Amphitheater (Austin) on May 20
Because you’re positive that if you met, you and Phoebe would be best friends
Smokey Robinson at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park (Austin) on May 20
Because, no matter our differences, we’re all Smokey Robinson fans
New Kids on the Block at Toyota Center (Houston) on May 19 and the American Airlines Center (Dallas) on May 22
Because you still know all the NKOTB dance moves
Bleachers at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater (Austin) on May 21, House of Blues Houston on May 24 and South Side Ballroom (Dallas) on May 25
Because if he can find time to produce Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey and Lorde, and helm an amazing band, he’s doing something right
Willie Nelson and Family at Whitewater Amphitheater (New Braunfels) on May 29
Because you wish you could sell out concerts at age 88
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