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Remembering Liam Payne and One Direction's electric first Houston show
I saw One Direction three times in concert, including sold-out shows at NRG Stadium and Toyota Center. But there's nothing like the first time.
The boy band played the Woodlands Pavilion in 2012, just seven months after the release of debut album "Up All Night." At the time, it was their biggest crowd to date. The show was loud and PG-rated, except for a random blowup doll that someone decided to bring that was quickly confiscated by security.
The concert will forever be ingrained in my memory, however, because of my 14-year-old niece. I'd taken her to shows before. We drove to Dallas to see Demi Lovato. She'd met the Jonas Brothers and "Too Little, Too Late" singer JoJo. But this one was different. The second the music started and the boys appeared, she burst into tears. Girls all around me did the same. It was a shock. I'd never been in the midst of so much emotional energy. You could feel it radiating through the aisles and back to the lawn.
I didn't know what to do. I patted my niece on the back. I almost started crying, too. I think I was surprised she'd be so vulnerable in front of me. I was also happy I'd been able to facilitate what would become a core memory. I'd had a similiar feeling the first time I saw Debbie Gibson in concert at Astroworld.
When my niece's name lit up my phone early Wednesday evening, I instantly knew why. Liam Payne's death was a shock to both of us. One Direction broke up years ago, but their music connected us. I think of her when I hear one of their songs. Later, she texted me photos from that night, including one of me smiling and her pretending to scream. You could see the joy in her face.
"I remember taking off my Donald Duck shirt and wiping my eyes with it," she texted.
It made me think of one of my favorite 1D songs, for Liam. For her. And for those memories that, even as life moves on, stay with us.
"We're only gettin' older, baby/And I've been thinkin' about it lately/Does it ever drive you crazy/Just how fast the night changes?"
 | Joey Guerra, music reporter |
My music picks
Photo by: Tobe Mokolo
'Talk' to her
I was honored to premiere the new music video from Kam Franklin, "Talk to You," earlier this week. The song poses a list of questions someone asks to get to know their partner better. What's your favorite food? What's your favorite color? Do you like dancing? Are you poly? Do you have a passport? It's a dreamy vibe from the lead singer of The Suffers. Franklin performs Oct. 25 at The Heights Theater as an opener for Ruthie Foster.
- Lyle, Lyle: Lyle Lovett headlines a free concert celebrating The Woodlands' 50th birthday. He'll be joined by Jack Ingram and Hayes Carll, both of whom built followings in Texas before expanding their reach outside the state. 6 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Woodlands Pavilion, 2005 Lake Robbins; woodlandscenter.org.
- Beyoncé watch: Do not play with Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Y'all know this. Piers Morgan was forced to issued an official apology regarding unfounded allegations about them made on his show by someone else. Now when will that person be forced to offer her own sorry?
Fun family favs
Photo by: Arnold Gold, Hearst Connecticut Media
Slime and rockets and STEM
The Energy Day Festival disguises learning as fun with a variety of activities, including a slime lab, rocket launches and experiments turning roses, graham crackers and marshmallows into ice. It's a giant science fair mixed with a festival. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 19 at Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby; free; energydayfestival.org.
- Scares and shopping: Traders Village hosts a family-friendly haunted house weekends through Oct. 27. I can't guarantee you won't scream. But some outdoor shopping should calm you down. There will also be plenty of other activities for the kids. 7979 N. Eldridge; $6 parking; tradersvillage.com.
Houston on the cheap
Photo by: Craig Moseley/HCN Staff
Light up the weekend
Houston Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebration, comes to Levy Park and will feature a Diwali bazaar and vendors, cultural performances, street food, henna tattoos and fireworks. There will be Bollywood and folk dances, comedy from the Masala Crew, a rickshaw parade and concert by Vidya Vox. 5-10 p.m. Oct. 19 at 3801 Eastside; free; houstondiwali.com.
- Wall-to-wall art: The Buffalo Bayou Mural Festival at Headquarters Houston features over 20 muralists and a two-day vendor market. The free event kicks off with an art battle at The Tipsy Sloth on Oct. 18. Rideshare is encouraged due to limited parking. Oct. 18-20 at multiple locations; free; buffalobayoumuralfestival.com.
Where to eat
Photo by: Becca Wright
Coffee and cocktails
Maven Coffee and Cocktails opens Oct. 18 at Sawyer Yards with a full food and expanded cocktail menu. This is the first standalone restaurant and will feature the same cold brew from other locations in its espresso martinis and carajillos. The menu will include deviled eggs topped with Kaluga caviar, spicy rigatoni, breakfast tacos and more. You may have seen them at Toyota Center or Minute Maid Park.
- Five-star Ramen: Mensho, a ramen shop started in Japan that has earned Michelin-recommended status, is now open in Houston's Asiatown at Dun Huang Plaza, 9889 Bellaire. A bowl of Texas-smoked wagyu ramen is one of 10 different options on a menu that includes Japanese-style fried chicken and a nigiri draped with thin, marbled slices of A5 wagyu.
Everything else you need to know
- Juicy Joint, a new food truck serving halal Wagyu smash burgers and gourmet hotdogs, celebrates with three hours of free food, an iPhone giveaway and appearance by rapper Paul Wall. 5 p.m. Friday at 5550 Val Verde. One person will win a year of free meals.
- Explore Houston: Check out our interactive Preview calendar, which has Houston's best concerts, comedy shows, arts events and more.
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