Ah, yeah. Fond, fond memories of KTRU Outdoor Shows past, I have to say, both while and after I went to the university to which the station's attached. The folks running the deal (who've changed over the years, obviously, but still) somehow manage to consistently bring in awesome, unique people who all those sheltered Rice kids -- and Houstonians in general -- might not get to see otherwise, and I love 'em for it.

I mean, seriously; they've had huge piles of cool bands/musicians play the Outdoor Show in the 18 years it's run -- Daniel Johnston, Parts & Labor, 120 Days, Sam Prekop, The Deathray Davies, John Fahey, Peter Jeffries, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, Sarge, Death Valley, Ratatat, Arthur Doyle, Spoon, Sumitra Lahiri, The Rondelles, Furry Things, the list goes on for days. I know for a fact that I, for one, never would've seen NoMeansNo live if it weren't for the Outdoor Show, or heard Alejandro Escovedo for the first time.

And plus, it's free. And outside. Lounging on that soft collegiate grass (preferably beneath a tree; you might want to show up early for that), sipping a cold beverage, and listening to awesome music from noon 'til it gets dark -- how can you beat that? You can't. Nope.

Okay, so maybe I'm overstating, but still, today's (Sat., April 11th) edition of the Outdoor Show is going to be pretty great. Here's the full info, courtesy of the KTRU folk themselves:

# Free: The 2009 ktru outdoor show is scheduled for saturday, april 11, noon to night.

Ted Leo and the Pharmacists + B L A C K I E + Buxton + Thomas Helton + Infant Mortality Rate + 'Laya Taal Saadhna' Tabla Ensemble + About This Product + Squincy Jones & Dayta + The Boat Show.

Also, plan on: album sale, face painting for young-ones, ktru merch, veggie and meat food, libations, and more.

Bring a towel or blanket to sprawl out on the lawn. The show is at Rice U in the field bounded by Fondren Libary, Rice Memorial Center, Herring Hall. Free parking only available in Greenbriar Lot near stadium. Paid lots closer, $10 daily max.

---We'd like to thank the following supporters for this year's Outdoor Show: Esotype Records, Mia Kat Empire Records, Space City Rock, the Rice Thresher, and St. Arnold's!

Niiiiice. Of course, local countrified/folky indie-pop guys Buxton are excellent, and skullcrushing/stereo-warping rapper B L A C K I E is awesome, but I have to admit that it's Ted Leo that's the real draw, for me. He's one of those rare punk-ish guys who can actually sing something ridiculously intelligent and not have it sound like it's a put-on. "Me and Mia" still lives on mixtapes I make for people, I swear.

(And yeah, yeah, so SCR is a sponsor; trust me, I'd be recommending this show even if that wasn't the case...)

Labels: H-Town News, Musical Crap, Public Service Announcements, Things To Do

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