Boots on the Ground: Artists to check out this rodeo season
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is right around the corner and Houstonians are dashing to Cavenders to perfect their Western drip before descending on NRG Park in droves. While many of the best parts of the radio stay the same (mutton grab, deep fried oreos), the musical performers change each night, with a total of 20 artists over the course of 20 days. If you’ve missed the rodeo due to its cancellation over the last two years, here are some performers to consider checking out and my personal recommendations.
Bun B’s H-Town Takeover
On Mar. 11, trill OG and former Rice professor Bun B will make history as the first Black man from Houston to headline the rodeo. He’s not keeping it a one-man affair (though he certainly has the hits to do so), instead bringing in a jaw-dropping lineup of Houston rappers. Z-Ro, Lil Keke, Paul Wall, Slim Thug, Lil Flip and others will join Bun B in a victory lap for the phenomenal Houston rap scene. Expect a concert where the audience knows every word, and Houston shows why the South has always had something to say.
Tracks to check out: “Get Throwed,” “Murder,” “What You Know”
Sam Hunt
Sam Hunt has gotten hate from just about every corner of the Internet, but there’s a reason why he continues to break records: the man can write a hook. Since his last appearance on the Rodeo stage in 2017, Hunt followed up his impressive and record-breaking debut “Montevallo” with “Southside” and somehow managed to become an even more polarizing figure in country music. It’ll be thrilling to see Hunt perform new hits like “23” and “Breaking Up Was Easy In the 90s” which sadly haven’t gotten much stage time due to COVID-19 show cancellations. If you can drop any pretentiousness you might have and soak in the pop bliss and showy smirk, you should have a great time.
Tracks to check out: “Hard to Forget,” “Leave the Night On,” “Break Up In a Small Town”
Luke Bryan
Speaking of hated artists, bro-country king Luke Bryan will take the Rodeo stage Mar. 7 to hordes of adoring fans. It won’t matter that he produces the most lyrically stupid music on the charts or that his face looks exceptionally punchable because you will know an embarrassing number of words to his songs. If you don’t, I assure you whoever is holding the Miller Lite near you does. It’s 2022, you don’t have to pretend to hate bro country anymore, you can just accept it for the vacuous good time it undoubtedly is. Feel free to shake it for the birds and shake it for the bees.
Tracks to check out: “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” “Rain Is A Good Thing,” “That’s My Kind Of Night”
Maren Morris
Since Maren Morris’ game changing debut “HERO” in 2017, she’s only rocketed upward. The pop-country songstress now boasts two bonafide crossover hits (“The Bones” and “The Middle”) and yet another phenomenal country album under her belt. After her rodeo debut’s cancellation in 2020, she’s back stronger than ever in the run-up to her upcoming third album “Humble Quest.” Morris is shamelessly both pop and country, making her both a great starting point for people getting into country and a hell of a good time.
Tracks to check out: “80s Mercedes”, “My Church”, “All My Favorite People”
Chris Stapleton
Yes, he might be your dad’s favorite country artist, but sometimes our parents are right about things. After a long career writing songs for heavyweights from Adele to Kenny Chesney to Alison Krause, Stapleton broke out with his excellent debut “The Traveler” in 2015. He’s been coasting off the power of his pipes and powerful penmanship since (though, ironically, his biggest hit is a cover). He’ll be a joy to see at the rodeo, hollering and rocking his heart out with a genuineness that few other performers this year can lay claim to.
Tracks to check out: “Traveler,” “Broken Halos,” “Starting Over”
Los Tucanes De Tijuana
Of all the songs the pre-show DJ played at the Bad Bunny concert on Feb. 16, none tore the roof down more than the corridos of Los Tucanes De Tijuana. The real deal will be headlining Go Tejano Day on Mar. 6, returning to the rodeo after more than 20 years and 50 albums of undiluted norteño dominance. The five piece has range, switching effortlessly from decrying classism on “El Centenario” to celebrating all three of their girlfriends on “Mis Tres Viejas.” It’ll be a full house — six of the top ten most well attended rodeo shows of all time have been tejano concerts.
Tracks to check out: “El Jefe De La Sierra,” “La Chona,” “Hacemos Bonita Pareja”
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Nearby city niceties
Do you have a time in your calendar that needs filling, but don’t want to spend thirty minutes walking in the August heat or $30 on admission? Consider checking out one or more of these activities within one mile of Rice — all free or discounted with a Rice ID.
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