Concerts Are Returning to Houston, Thank the Music Gods

White Oak Music Hall will prove it actually is hip to be square when it brings larger-scale concerts back to the Bayou City later this month.

During the venue’s new GRID Concert series, which kicks off with performances by Shakey Graves on October 23 and Major Lazer on October 26, shows will take place on White Oak’s outdoor stage. But these shows won’t look quite like what you remember—as if anything does these Covid-filled days.

Instead of purchasing individual tickets, concertgoers will buy a 7-by-7-foot grid on the White Oak Music Hall lawn where they can enjoy the show while remaining six feet apart from other concertgoers across the 35,000-square-foot lawn (though only at a 25-percent attendance capacity). According to White Oak’s safety guidelines, each grid can comfortably fit about six people (though a few larger spots accommodate 10 people). Other safety measures include mandatory face masks, cashless transactions, and temperature checks. 

White Oak isn’t the only venue staging its return. While McGonigel’s Mucky Duck has been live-streaming concerts (sometimes with limited in-person attendance) since March, the venue is bringing singer-songwriter Hayes Carll for a sold-out outdoor concert in the venue’s parking lot on October 15. Meanwhile Texas roots singer Charley Crockett will perform four shows over two nights at The Heights Theater in November, and Goode Company’s Armadillo Palace has a slate of country artists playing its Backyard Stage. 

GRID Concert Series. From $85. White Oak Music Hall, 2915 N Main St. More info and tickets at whiteoakmusichall.com.