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Underscores Criticizes Houston Venue Meow Wolf for Production Limitations and Misogyny Ahead of Show
Underscores, the hyper‑pop artist known for her experimental pop and high‑energy live shows, took to Instagram Stories on Saturday night to address a dispute with the Houston venue Meow Wolf ahead of her scheduled performance. In the post, the musician—real name April Harper Grey—stated that the venue would not be able to accommodate the full production she normally brings to her concerts. She added that the venue’s upper management had been “misogynistic” toward her team, though she later clarified that the general staff had been “very nice” and “accommodating.” Grey apologized to fans for the situation and confirmed that the show would proceed as planned, promising a return to Houston with full production when conditions allow.
The incident comes as Underscores is on a North American tour supporting her third studio album, U, which was released in March 2026. The album followed her 2023 release Wallsocket and her 2021 debut Fishmonger. Grey first entered the public eye as a dubstep producer on SoundCloud at age 13, later expanding into hyper‑pop, pop‑punk, and indie‑pop. She has toured with acts such as 100 Gecs and has headlined her own shows since early 2022. U has received a five‑star review from NME, with writer Otis Robinson describing it as “more Black Mirror than Twin Peaks” and noting its intimate portrayal of isolation in the digital age.
Meow Wolf, the arts and entertainment company that creates large‑scale immersive installations, opened its Houston location, Radio Tave, on 31 October 2024. The venue includes a concert space that has hosted a variety of performers, but the space’s layout and technical specifications differ from traditional arenas. According to the artist’s Instagram post, the venue’s limitations prevented the full staging and sound setup that Underscores typically employs. While the venue’s general staff were described as helpful, Grey said the issues stemmed from upper‑level management decisions that she felt were discriminatory.
In a separate interview with NME in March, Underscores discussed how her music reflects a fascination with fame and self‑monitoring. She said, “I’ve always scrutinised myself like I was famous… I’ve always been like, ‘someone’s gonna pick my life apart to pieces someday, so I need to prepare for that’.” The artist’s commentary aligns with the themes of U, which explores parasocial obsessions and the pressures of being a digital‑age pop star.
The artist’s tour schedule extends beyond the United States. In November 2026, Underscores will perform in Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, London, and Manchester as part of a UK and European leg. Tickets for the remaining dates are available through the official website. The tour’s continuation into Europe follows the successful North American run, which has been noted for its high‑energy live production and audience engagement.
At this time, NME has reached out to Meow Wolf for comment on the dispute. No official response has been released. Underscores has confirmed that she will still perform in Houston and that she intends to return with full production when the venue’s technical constraints are resolved. The situation highlights ongoing challenges artists face when touring in venues that may not be equipped for the elaborate staging required by contemporary hyper‑pop performances. The incident also underscores broader industry conversations about equitable treatment of artists and their teams in live‑event settings.
In summary, Underscores’ Houston show proceeded as scheduled despite production limitations and allegations of misogyny from venue management. The artist apologized to fans, clarified that staff were supportive, and pledged a future return with full production. Her tour continues into Europe in November, while the dispute with Meow Wolf remains unresolved pending a response from the venue’s leadership.
The incident comes as Underscores is on a North American tour supporting her third studio album, U, which was released in March 2026. The album followed her 2023 release Wallsocket and her 2021 debut Fishmonger. Grey first entered the public eye as a dubstep producer on SoundCloud at age 13, later expanding into hyper‑pop, pop‑punk, and indie‑pop. She has toured with acts such as 100 Gecs and has headlined her own shows since early 2022. U has received a five‑star review from NME, with writer Otis Robinson describing it as “more Black Mirror than Twin Peaks” and noting its intimate portrayal of isolation in the digital age.
Meow Wolf, the arts and entertainment company that creates large‑scale immersive installations, opened its Houston location, Radio Tave, on 31 October 2024. The venue includes a concert space that has hosted a variety of performers, but the space’s layout and technical specifications differ from traditional arenas. According to the artist’s Instagram post, the venue’s limitations prevented the full staging and sound setup that Underscores typically employs. While the venue’s general staff were described as helpful, Grey said the issues stemmed from upper‑level management decisions that she felt were discriminatory.
In a separate interview with NME in March, Underscores discussed how her music reflects a fascination with fame and self‑monitoring. She said, “I’ve always scrutinised myself like I was famous… I’ve always been like, ‘someone’s gonna pick my life apart to pieces someday, so I need to prepare for that’.” The artist’s commentary aligns with the themes of U, which explores parasocial obsessions and the pressures of being a digital‑age pop star.
The artist’s tour schedule extends beyond the United States. In November 2026, Underscores will perform in Dublin, Glasgow, Leeds, London, and Manchester as part of a UK and European leg. Tickets for the remaining dates are available through the official website. The tour’s continuation into Europe follows the successful North American run, which has been noted for its high‑energy live production and audience engagement.
At this time, NME has reached out to Meow Wolf for comment on the dispute. No official response has been released. Underscores has confirmed that she will still perform in Houston and that she intends to return with full production when the venue’s technical constraints are resolved. The situation highlights ongoing challenges artists face when touring in venues that may not be equipped for the elaborate staging required by contemporary hyper‑pop performances. The incident also underscores broader industry conversations about equitable treatment of artists and their teams in live‑event settings.
In summary, Underscores’ Houston show proceeded as scheduled despite production limitations and allegations of misogyny from venue management. The artist apologized to fans, clarified that staff were supportive, and pledged a future return with full production. Her tour continues into Europe in November, while the dispute with Meow Wolf remains unresolved pending a response from the venue’s leadership.
