Houston’s House of Blues recently played host to a night of powerful emotions and heartfelt performances as the highly acclaimed band Movements took the stage. The tour marked their latest album release, Rukus, and fans eagerly gathered to witness a night of musical catharsis.
The show opened with “You’re One of Us Now” off 2023’s Rukus, a weighted, bassy introduction to both the album and set. Although Austin Cressy leads on bass, Ira George soon swooped in with his signature higher note on guitar than has made Movements’ recognizable.
The House of Blues in Houston provided the perfect backdrop for Movements’ passionate and raw performance. The venue’s intimate setting allowed fans to feel a strong connection with the band as they embarked on their latest musical journey, but it packs a lot more people than what it would appear at first glance.
“Full Circle” sent fans into a frenzy, forcing the weaker out of their well-earned center spots as they feared being crushed, much to the delight of long-time supporters.
“For the first time in this tour, I decided I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and move around a little. And the one time I do that, break my foot,” Miranda said. “Now I’ve got this nice boot for the rest of the tour, I actually can’t move around without it hurting a little. And the doctor says I have to be careful, so I have to keep that to a minimum. Which means I need all of you to do twice as much moving for me. I don’t get to, so you need to pick up my slack, that’s how it works. This next one is a new song, it’s called “Fail You.”
Although the pits were heavier than an average show of the genre, they paled in comparison to the band’s earlier days, where the majority of the floor would become a pit while those in the wings would fight to stay upright. Perhaps it is because the fanbase is aging, perhaps it is because of Movements’ recent experimentation with pop rock and falsettos in their music. Whatever the reason, no one seemed to mind, as cellphones and screams rose in excitement once Houston recognized the first chords of “Skin to Skin.”
Moshers got a chance to rest when “Seneca” off No Good Left to Give began to play. Movements have gained a reputation for their emotionally charged lyrics and soul-baring performances, but it hit differently when not hidden behind roaring guitars.
The final half of the performance leaned heavily on Rukus!, with drops from stand-alone like “Cherry Thrill” and from time to time.
Despite the supplications from the crowd, the only song from Movenmets’ first EP Outgrown Things the band played was “Kept.” The audience was eager to take what they could get, mustering up what strength they had left for one last floor-wide commotion.
Miranda took to the mic to declare his disdain for the concept of encores, taking the opportunity to thank the audience for coming and informing them that the next song would be their last. Next, the band dove into “Daylily.”
“Daylily” quickly became a fan favorite. In past Houston shows, fans had released a sea of pink balloons onto the stage and concertgoers. Other shows were host to a steady stream of crowd surfers being tossed onto the stage, only to dive back into the crowd, making the most out of what they knew was the final song of the night. This time wasn’t met with the same kind of ruckus, but it was met with plenty of smiles.
Movements provided Houston with a night filled with emotional intensity, musical prowess and a shared connection that transcended words. As they continue their tour in support of “Rukus,” they leave Space City knowing they’ve set the bar high for the cities still on their itinerary.
I am a multimedia journalist with a passion for guitar-based music – be that rock-n-roll, bachata, or anything in between. When not in a mosh pit, I can be found knitting, collecting CDs, thrifting, journaling, or attempting to incite chaos among feuding global powers. I hold a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a masters degree in Mass Communication from the University of Houston, making me twice the Coog you'll ever be 😉
