Convenience Big Store: Who's on your must-see summer concert list in Houston?

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Summer concert season is here: Shakira, Metallica, Wu-Tang Clan, Babymetal & more

Summer officially starts next month. But Houston's concert calendar is already in full swing.

Electronic duo Empire of the Sun performs Friday at 713 Music Hall, kicking off my list of 38 concerts you need to see this year. There are shows big and small throughout the city, tapping into every genre you can think of.

How many are you planning to check off the list?

Beyoncé (yes, I'm mentioning her again) brings her Cowboy Carter Tour home for two shows, June 28 and 29 at NRG Stadium. But the run-up to that is packed with concerts, including.

June 13: Babymetal at 713 Music Hall

June 14: Metallica at NRG Stadium

June 14: Wu-Tang Clan at Toyota Center

June 15 and 16: Shakira at Toyota Center

June 17: Heart at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

June 17: Coco Jones at House of Blues

June 20: Maxwell at Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land

That's ten shows in the span of roughly two weeks. Later this summer, we get Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan, JoJo Siwa's tour opener, two shows from Enhypen and The Weeknd; and one of two Texas stops for Nine Inch Nails.

And don't forget, June is also the annual Pride Festival and Parade. I haven't included shows at the Woodlands Pavilion because it makes me sweaty just thinking about it. We're gonna be busy, y'all. And hot. So hot.

Who's on your must-see list?

Joey Guerra, music reporter

joey.guerra@houstonchronicle.com

My music picks

Rolling Stone Presents Amplified: The Immersive Rock Experience at Artechouse Houston

Photo by: Sacha Lecca

Rock out at Artechouse

"Rolling Stone Presents: Amplified, The Immersive Rock Experience" combines audio and visual for a trip inside the music and culture of rock 'n' roll and a look at the artists who shaped it. The walk-through is narrated by Kevin Bacon and features more than 1,000 photographs, 200 videos and 1,300 Rolling Stone covers inside the Artechouse space. Showings begin today at 600 W. 6th St.; $39 at artechouse.com.

Music at Meow Wolf: Meow Wolf Houston will debut its first summer concert series next month, running June 6-July 25 and spanning dance-rock, synth-pop, blues and Latin. Bands perform in a dedicated space with a stage within the immersive art museum. The lineup includes Swimwear Department (dance-rock), Mango Punch! (Latin) and more. Tickets are on sale now.
Beyoncé watch: Beyoncé's run of five shows just outside Los Angeles to kick off the Cowboy Carter Tour grossed $55.7 million and sold 217,000 tickets, according to Billboard. It is the biggest reported single-venue engagement of 2025 so far and the fifth-highest grossing tour stop in Boxscore history. The tour is expected to bring in more than $300 million. Now what was that about not selling tickets?

Fun family favs

Photo by: Courtesy Photo

Fit family

The Brazilian Cultural Institute hosts free family capoeira classes the third Saturday of each month in Midtown. Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that develops discipline, coordination, strength and rhythm. The class is open to all skill levels. Bring water! 10 a.m. Saturday at Midtown Park, 2811 Travis; free.

'Toothrina Von Twinkle': Looking for something tonight for the kids? "Toothrina Von Twinkle: A Fairy's Tale the Musical" is at 7 tonight at the Wortham Center. Toothrina and her best friend-turned rival, Dande, take part in fairy duels, rooftop flights and a mission to collect a first tooth. Of course, it all works out in the end. $24 and up at performingartshouston.org.

Houston on the cheap

Photo by: Yi-Chin Lee

Strawberry Festival

A giant strawberry shortcake is just the, um, cherry on top of the Pasadena Strawberry Festival. It runs Thursday-Sunday at the Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds, 7902 Fairmont Pkwy. There will be parades, a haunted house, mutton bustin' and more. This year's musical lineup includes "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery and Clay Walker. Tickets are $5-$40; strawberryfest.org.

Creepy-crawly: The play "Bug" follows Agnes, a lonely waitress, and Peter, a Gulf War veteran, as they check into a motel room in Oklahoma where bugs begin to take over their space. The couple's fears escalate to paranoia and conspiracy theories. Are the bugs real or imagined? Opens Friday at MATCH, 3400 Main; $30 and pay-what-you-can Sunday and Monday shows. "Bug" was also made into a film starring Ashley Judd.

Where to eat

Pinballz Pizzeria is now open in Second Ward.

Photo by: Pinballz Pizzeria

Pinballz Pizza

They had me at chorizo and cheese stuffed-crust pizza. Pinballz Pizzeria is now open at 2240 Navigation and is inspired by retro arcades. The dough is made through a 24-hour fermentation process, and there are plans for a bar soon. I'll reserved judgment, however, on the decision to put pineapple on their Trompo Pizza. It could work. Maybe.

Soccer-themed bar: La Cabra opens this weekend, a soccer-themed sports bar by Joseph Manglicmot, a former contestant on "MasterChef." There will be food, music and giveawats during the grand opening, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday at 300 Sharpstown Center #1080A. Do you get a discount if you wear a Dynamo jersey?

Everything else you need to know

The International Festival of the United States of America celebrates the diversity of Houston and beyond with live performances, vendors and food. The event "promotes learning and information exchanges in support of peace, love and friendship." 3:30-9 p.m. Saturday at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney; theinternationalfest.org.
Explore Houston: Check out our interactive Preview calendar, which has Houston's best concerts, comedy shows, arts events and more.