There’s something about seeing 311 in a packed House of Blues that makes you forget the calendar. It could’ve been 1996 or 2023, and it wouldn’t have made much difference once the lights dimmed and that unmistakable bass tone from P-Nut rattled through the floorboards. The Omaha-bred band has always thrived on energy, groove, and positivity — and on this warm May night in Houston, they brought all of that in force. What followed was a masterclass in controlled chaos: an evening where funk, rock, reggae, and rap all melted into one humid, sweaty, beautiful stew.
Nick Hexum, SA Martinez, Tim Mahoney, P-Nut, and Chad Sexton have been at this for over three decades, but their chemistry hasn’t aged a day. The five of them still move and play with a cohesion that most bands half their age would kill for. Their songs are built on trust — on each member knowing when to push forward and when to pull back — and that trust is what made this night so alive. The setlist mixed nostalgia and deep cuts, the energy oscillating between mellow grooves and explosive riffs.
The Show Opens
The first notes of “Homebrew” hit like a wake-up call. It’s one of those openers that sets the tone instantly — brisk, funky, and defiant. The crowd responded immediately, fists up, voices raised, jumping as though gravity had been canceled. From that moment on, the audience was part of the performance. 311 doesn’t just play to people — they play with them.
Without missing a beat, “Come Original” followed. One of the band’s biggest hits, it sounded just as relevant as ever, the blend of reggae rhythm and hip-hop delivery still impossibly tight. SA Martinez was on fire here, his delivery crisp and agile. He and Hexum traded verses like two friends finishing each other’s sentences, and by the time the chorus hit, the entire room was bouncing.
“Prisoner” came next, drenched in that dark, moody energy that’s always made it a fan favorite. Tim Mahoney’s guitar sliced through the mix while P-Nut’s bass filled the gaps with muscle. It was one of those moments where you could close your eyes and get lost in the syncopation.
Nostalgia and the New
By the time the opening notes of “Don’t Stay Home” rang out, the crowd had become one massive singalong. The song’s sunny defiance — that classic 311 optimism — fit perfectly with the vibe of the room. People weren’t just singing; they were smiling. Nick grinned back at them, as if acknowledging the shared memory between audience and band.
“What The?!”, one of their newer cuts, proved that 311 isn’t stuck in the past. Its choppy rhythm and chaotic charm gave the set a jolt of unpredictability. It sounded heavier live, with Sexton driving the beat like a locomotive.
Then came “Beautiful Disaster”, and the room went wild. There are songs in every band’s catalogue that just feel like the artist distilled to its purest form — and this is one of them for 311. It’s funky, intense, and strangely uplifting all at once. The crowd sang every word, and Nick’s voice was as smooth and commanding as ever.
“Silver” followed — a deeper cut that longtime fans greeted with enthusiasm. Its melodic guitar line shimmered beautifully in the House of Blues acoustics. By now, the band had hit full stride: they were locked in, smiling, and completely in their element.
The Heart of the Set
The back-to-back punch of “All Mixed Up” and P-Nut’s bass solo was peak 311. “All Mixed Up” was a total eruption — the kind of song that makes strangers throw their arms around each other. The vocal interplay between Hexum and Martinez was flawless, and when the breakdown hit, you could feel the floor shake. Then, as the applause faded, P-Nut took center stage for a solo that was nothing short of hypnotic. His tone — warm, elastic, percussive — reminded everyone that bass isn’t just rhythm; it’s melody and soul too.
“What Was I Thinking” brought a shift in tone. It’s looser, more contemplative, and it gave the audience a chance to breathe. Nick’s vocals carried that laid-back charisma that has always made him the perfect frontman for 311: confident, cool, but never distant.
Then came a curveball — The Cure’s “Lovesong.” 311’s reggae-funk interpretation was both faithful and fresh. They slowed it just enough to make it sway, letting SA’s smooth delivery stretch across the melody while Tim’s guitar added atmosphere. The audience melted into it, swaying in unison. It was a highlight — a perfect example of how 311 can cover another artist without losing their own DNA.
“Transistor” brought the tempo right back up. The title track from their 1997 album is one of their most psychedelic songs, and live it expanded even further. The jam section let the band flex their improvisational side, with Sexton and Mahoney steering the ship. 311’s secret weapon has always been their ability to make a groove last just long enough to hypnotize without overstaying its welcome.
Drums, Unity, and Vibe
“One and the Same” kept that momentum rolling, its syncopated rhythm feeling tailor-made for a small venue like this. Then, the crowd exploded when Nick announced “Applied Science.” This one has always been a live staple, and true to form, the band turned it into a drum showcase. Sexton’s solo was thunderous, and soon all five members were on percussion, pounding in perfect unison. Watching them play together like that — five musicians locked into a tribal rhythm — was one of those pure concert moments that can’t be faked.
“Use of Time” followed, easing the crowd back into a groove. The song’s dreamy, floating quality provided a gorgeous contrast to the intensity of what came before. The lights softened, the crowd swayed, and for a moment, it felt like time really did slow down.
With “You Wouldn’t Believe,” things ramped up again. That riff — unmistakable and infectious — hit like caffeine to the system. The crowd roared the chorus, Hexum smiled wide, and SA danced across the stage with his usual playful swagger.
Of course, no 311 show would be complete without “Amber.” It was a collective exhale — thousands of voices joining as one. For all the wildness of a 311 show, “Amber” has this grounding quality. It’s their “Let It Be” moment — a simple, soothing reminder of the band’s heart. The lights glowed golden, couples embraced, and the House of Blues felt smaller, warmer, more intimate.
Then came “Freak Out,” which yanked the crowd right back into the mosh. It was tight, raw, and relentless — proof that 311 can still go full throttle when they want to. They closed the main set with “Creatures (for a While),” a perfect summation of their hybrid sound. It’s funky, it’s heavy, it’s thoughtful — and it sent the crowd into a frenzy one last time before the encore.
Encore: Pure Joy
When the band returned, the roar was deafening. They opened the encore with “I’ll Be Here Awhile,” and it was absolutely beautiful. It’s one of their most underrated songs — introspective, tender, hopeful. Hearing it live, with everyone singing the chorus softly, felt like a moment of gratitude.
Then, inevitably, came “Down.” And what a way to finish. It’s the song that started it all for so many fans, and even after countless performances, the band attacked it like it was brand new. Chad’s drums hit hard, the crowd jumped in unison, and Hexum and Martinez traded lines with pure electricity. When the final notes hit, it wasn’t just applause — it was celebration.
The Setlist
311 – House of Blues, Houston, TX – May 2023
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Homebrew
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Come Original
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Prisoner
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Don’t Stay Home
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What The?!
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Beautiful Disaster
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Silver
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All Mixed Up
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Bass Solo
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What Was I Thinking
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Lovesong (The Cure cover)
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Transistor
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One and the Same
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Applied Science (with drums)
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Use of Time
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You Wouldn’t Believe
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Amber
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Freak Out
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Creatures (for a While)
Encore: -
I’ll Be Here Awhile
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Down
Final Thoughts
By the end of the night, drenched in sweat and smiles, the crowd wasn’t ready to leave. That’s the thing about 311 — they have this uncanny ability to make you feel better walking out than when you walked in. Their shows aren’t just concerts; they’re communal experiences built on rhythm, positivity, and connection.
What stood out most about this House of Blues performance wasn’t just the musicianship — though the band was flawless — but the attitude. 311 doesn’t treat their older material like a time capsule. They play it like it’s alive, like it still matters. The setlist proved that every era of their career holds weight, from the anthems to the deep cuts.
Nick Hexum’s vocals were smooth and confident throughout, SA Martinez’s charisma lit up the stage, Tim Mahoney’s guitar tone was rich and textured, P-Nut’s bass thundered, and Chad Sexton’s drumming was a masterclass in groove and precision. Together, they made a packed room of fans — old and new — feel like family.
For a band entering its fourth decade, 311 still performs like they have something to prove. Not because they need to, but because they want to. Their passion for playing live is contagious. You could see it in their grins, in the way they locked eyes during jams, and in the sheer joy radiating from every corner of the stage.
By the time the lights came up and the house music faded in, one thing was obvious: 311 doesn’t just endure — they thrive. In a music world obsessed with trends and fleeting fame, their commitment to groove, melody, and message feels refreshing.
That night in Houston, they didn’t just remind everyone why they’ve lasted this long — they made it clear they’re nowhere near done.
Grade: B+