Classical Music

Andrés Takes Charge

With his youthful good looks, ebullient personality, and sparkling résumé, the Colombian-born, Austrian-trained conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada quickly won over the Houston Symphony musicians during his closed-door audition for the job two years ago, and was the consensus pick to succeed Hans Graf, who retired at the end of the 2012–13 season. Orozco-Estrada begins his tenure as music director this weekend with three concerts—two free ones, at Miller Outdoor Theatre on Friday and Jones Hall on Sunday, and the official opening night concert at Jones Hall on Saturday night. See our profile of the conductor here. 

¡Bienvenido Andrés! 
Sept 12 at 8:30. Free tickets available at box office between 10:30 at 1 on the day of performance. Open seating on hill. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr.

Opening Night Concert with Andrés
Sept 13 at 7:30. $29–165. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St.

Fiesta Sinfónica con Andrés 
Sept 14 at 6. Free. Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana St.

713-224-7575
houstonsymphony.org 

FESTIVAL

Yes, Indeed! Fest

The third annual Yes, Indeed! Fest is out to do the Houston music scene proud: it’s small, cheap, and thoroughly local. For less than the cost of dinner, a slew of amazing local and regional bands await anyone hungry for a new experience. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to well after midnight on Saturday and will feature over 25 bands across four stages in the Mid-Main block (3500 Main St., along the light rail at the Ensemble/HCC stop) that houses Continental Club and its neighboring bars Alley Kat Bar & Lounge, Shoeshine Charley’s Big Top, and Pachinko Hut. Featured acts include Black Pistol Fire, a two-man hard-rock group from Austin; Kansas City prog-metal trio After Nations; and rising synthpop band BLSHS. 

Sept 13 from 5pm–2am. $15 at door (cash only); $12 online. 3500 Main St. 

Concert

Lily Allen

An amalgamation of Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and even a little Liz Phair, this 29-year-old British pop chanteuse broke through in 2006 with her infectiously catchy single “Smile,” then followed up with three more hit albums, including last year’s Sheezus. Although easy to lump in with other radio-friendly pop stars, Allen stands out for her sexual candor and outspoken feminism, as well as a greater sense of musical adventurousness.

Sept 13 at 7. $27.50–47.50. House of Blues, 1204 Caroline St. 888-402-5873. houseofblues.com

Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen

Houston natives Lovett and Keen were friends at Texas A&M before going on to become two of the state’s biggest names in country music—in 2012, they were inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame. They may be getting up there in years, but these singer-songwriters can still put on a helluva show. 

Sept 11 (Thursday) at 7. $39.50–79.50. Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands. 281-363-3300. woodlandscenter.org 

Celebration

El Grito, featuring Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles

Every September 16, Mexicans celebrate their independence from Spain. The night before, tradition has it they gather to join in a call-and-response known as el grito (the scream), in which an actor dressed as the President of Mexico shouts out the names of revolutionary heroes, each of which provokes the crowd to yell “Viva!” This year, the Miller Outdoor Theatre plays host to the hundred-year-old ritual, followed by a performance from the all-female Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. 

Sept 15 (Monday) at 7:30. Free tickets available at box office between 10:30 at 1 on the day of performance. Open seating on hill. Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Dr. 281-373-3386. milleroutdoortheatre.com