Abbie Kamin, the council member for District C, smiled as the cheers began to fade. Flanking her left and right were Laura Lee and Mark Speer, their guitars humming beneath the lights, while behind them Donald Johnson Jr. kept time to the steady pulse of August 10.
“Through their dedication to artistry, authenticity, and community, they continue to inspire musicians and fans worldwide while enhancing our city’s reputation as a global center for creativity and cultural exchange,” said the councilwoman, raising her voice above the murmurs of the packed crowd inside the Heights Theater. As her tone lifted, the band swelled with her, their rhythm pulsing in sync with her words.
Kamin’s speech built toward the moment everyone had been waiting for. Introducing herself and John Whitmire, she was met with a quick wave of boos at the mention of the Mayor before the crowd returned its focus. Then came the words that flipped the room from protest to pure celebration.
“We hereby proclaim November 6, 2025, as Khruangbin Day!”
The cheers erupted as Houston’s own Khruangbin, the band that has carried the city’s sound across the world, did what they’ve always done best: play.
It’s been ten years since Khruangbin released The Universe Smiles Upon You, the debut album that introduced their airy mix of soul, funk, and global influences to the world. What began as quiet jam sessions inside a barn in Burton, Texas has evolved into one of the most distinct sounds in modern music.
The trio, made up of bassist Laura Lee, guitarist Mark Speer, and drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson Jr., built their identity on texture and restraint. There are no flashy solos or sudden climaxes, only rhythm, space, and the kind of patience that lets a groove tell its own story. Their early work pulled from Thai funk and surf rock, but over time their palette expanded. Con Todo El Mundo brought in Middle Eastern melodies, Mordechai added vocals and color, and their most recent album A La Sala feels like a homecoming, blending everything they have learned into something simple and sincere.
No matter how far their tours have taken them, whether to Glastonbury, Red Rocks, or Japan, Houston remains stitched into the fabric of what they do. The way the bass and drums lock in feels like a slow Southern heartbeat, and the way Speer’s guitar floats on top feels like humid air over the Gulf. Their music moves like this city does, easy but full of purpose.
It was no different Thursday night as the Heights Theater welcomed the band to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their debut album. Performing singles like Two Fish and an Elephant, White Gloves, and People Everywhere (Still Alive) gave longtime fans a reminder of what first drew them in. But the trio also made sure to reach across their catalog, playing songs such as Maria También, August 12, and Balls and Pins that highlight how much their sound has evolved while keeping its signature warmth.
“The butterflies are still jumping,” laughed Mark Speer as he looked out at the crowd. “It’s a very electric feeling in here tonight. I want to thank y’all for sticking with us the past ten years and helping us ring in this special occasion.”
The celebration of ten years of Khruangbin felt less like a concert and more like a homecoming. Every song carried a sense of ease, the kind that comes from a band fully comfortable in its own skin. The audience responded in kind, swaying, nodding, and cheering through each groove as if the music were something shared rather than performed.
Between songs, Lee flashed quiet smiles toward the front rows while Johnson held the rhythm steady, his subtle drum patterns gluing everything together. Speer’s guitar tone, warm and deliberate, filled the room like conversation. It was the sound of three people who trust each other completely, still finding joy in the simplicity of playing together.
For Houston, Khruangbin Day is more than a symbolic honor. It’s a reminder that the city’s creativity doesn’t always come wrapped in bright lights or loud noise. Sometimes it sounds like a quiet groove played with intention. Over the past decade, Khruangbin has carried Houston’s rhythm across the world, showing that its pulse can move through any genre or border. Ten years later, that rhythm still feels like home.
Setlist
Two Fish and an Elephant
August 12
Evan Finds the Third Room
August 10
Balls and Pins
Más y Más (“Josito y Maria” jam)
Morricone Interlude (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly theme)
People Everywhere (Still Alive)
White Gloves
Dern Kala
Mr. White
Maria También
A Tribute to Yellow Magic Orchestra (Firecracker / Rydeen medley)
People Everywhere (Still Alive) – Reprise
The post When The Universe Smiles On Houston appeared first on Houston Press.
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