Solar Flare 2025 - Houston’s Homegrown Renaissance
- Nia Delmast
- Oct 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 6
If you were at Axelrad Beer Garden on September 5–6, you might have been lounging in one of their hammocks with a drink in hand, soaking in the venue’s typically laid-back atmosphere. Maybe you caught the Solar Flare projection on the mainstage or the cardboard stars strung across the courtyard—visible nods to something special in the works. But what struck me most was how, even with the signage, music, and vendor booths guiding people through the space, there were still pockets of the festival that felt like personal discoveries. Upstairs felt like a ’90s house party in someone’s garage, where the band is kids you went to school with and everyone’s there to have fun and support them. To the side of the beer garden was the downstairs stage. Downstairs, the covered stage offered a different kind of energy, part open-air concert, part neighborhood hang, with dancing at the front and folks vibing in the back with their drinks. Volunteers were bustling around to make sure everything ran smoothly, and local artists were making their mark on the Solar Flare stages.
“This is a renaissance happening” – AJ Martinez, Forever Miles
The Solar Flare lineup featured artists of every genre, each one bringing their own flavor to the sound. From Chevy Bois, bringing a fusion of Latin, Jazz, and Blues, to Órpheus Von Doom, a “genre-less” alternative artist with musical influences ranging from Gorillaz, Jimi Hendrix, Model/Actriz, Parquet Courts, and MF Doom. There was something for everyone. The crowd was as eclectic as the music, with almost every subculture represented. Folks came to see their favorite local bands, support their peers in the music industry, or discover something new.
“So the flavor [of Solar Flare] kind of reminds me of like how the Dum Dums do the mystery flavors. Like you never know what you're gonna get” – Attendee, Jordan
What really sets Solar Flare apart is that it is a DIY effort by people who love music for people who love music. The entire festival, from the handmade décor to the AV run during the festival, was done by Houston Music Classifieds volunteers. In my line of work, I’ve heard my fair share of laments that Houston doesn’t have a thriving music scene. Houston Music Classifieds is showing people that the music scene in Houston is alive and well, and is being built and sustained by the creatives of Houston.
“A lot of people think that there aren't like local shows in Houston, and they're like, ‘Oh, I don't know how to find other musicians.’ You just need to find a show and plug in, you know? And you need to follow HMC.” – Dallas Burkhalter, The Burkhs
Solar Flare is fulfilling a need for not only music but also community amongst creatives.
“Houston deserves a music scene. There was Free Press Summer Fest that kind of fell through, but I really think that this is a beautiful idea, and it should be expanded upon. So, I'm interested to see where it grows next year.” – Attendee, Luis
Free Press Summer Fest’s rise and fall underscores why community-led, adaptable events like Solar Flare matter so much right now. Without the infrastructure or funding muscle of mega-fests, spaces like Solar Flare fill a cultural void. They’re flexible, grounded, and built on community energy.
“Right now, there is a sense of unknown, right? The great uncertainty, this big question that is boiling inside every one of us about what's gonna happen next. Right now, is the moment to embrace community, and if we don't embrace community, we fall. I think when in times of uncertainty, we build bonds, and we remain strong together.”– Attendee, Luis
My Festival Favorites
Of all the incredible performances, a few stuck with me, each offering something totally different.
Órpheus Von Doom
Órpheus Von Doom gave an energetic “Dance Punk” set that had the crowd jumping and headbanging. Their sound was both gritty and funky, a wild ride that left the audience buzzing.
Grey Pix
This melodic indie trio brought emotional depth to the evening. Their set was heartfelt and resonant, featuring a powerful moment with a song dedicated to Palestine. You could feel the crowd holding space for it.
Forever Miles
Forever Miles was impossible to pin down—fusing elements of funk, pop, punk, and Latin vibes into a sound that was wholly their own. The night ended with a literal spark: their trumpet player dancing in the crowd with a sparkler at the end of her horn. A moment.
Vosotros
As a pop-punk lover, Vosotros was an instant favorite. Their sound paired classic emo vocals with Latin and Tejano influences. Back for their second year at Solar Flare, Vosotros brought the same electrifying energy that clearly resonated with the crowd.
What Solar Flare delivers isn’t just a good time, it’s a glimpse of what Houston’s music community can be when it’s shaped by the hands of those who live and breathe it. It’s hammocks and cardboard stars, trumpet solos in the crowd, and dancers swaying to a genre they didn’t know they loved. After the main sets, the celebration continued with a late-night afters featuring two DJs and a contortionist. It’s a reminder that even in uncertain times, joy and connection can thrive—especially when nurtured at the grassroots.
Check out the Solar Flare 2025 lineup here:
Story by Nia Delmast and Photos by Shelby Mathews