W♥M

We♥KC! April 28-May 1, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More Denzel Curry Florida’s rapper Denzel Curry is playing First Avenue on Thursday, August 15.: Tour dates: 8/10-8/11 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands; 8/13 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre; 8/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

A little bit of concert and venue news,

The KC Symphony has welcomed new assistant conductors and five musicians, ahead of this Friday’s “Back to the 80’s” performance, which looks fun with a guest conductor and three guest vocalists, and the scheduled May 18 Australian Pink Floyd show at Uptown is canceled due to “logistical issues” (we caught them live in 2016 in Minneapolis for you).

Construction continues on the 15,000-capacity amphitheater in Riverside (LiveNation will exclusively book) so we’ll wonder how that will affect Azura and Starlight among others, El Torreon’s re-opening has been delayed under late this year (at best), and we’ve heard good things about the new 650-capacity Warehouse on Broadway (except for tough parking), but haven’t been in, just yet.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming weekend from April 28^th to May 1^st.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

MONDAY APRIL 28

Denzel Curry, Apr 28, T-Mobile Center,$52-$158

In support of his new album, “King of the Mischievous South”, esteemed Miami rapper Denzel Curry is out in support on an extensive 2025 tour. The Mischievous South World Tour, which hits Australia, North America, and Europe along with support from 454, Kenny Mason, and Clip.

The new record is a sequel of sorts to his 2012 mixtape King of the Mischievous South Vol. 1 Underground Tape 1996 and also serves as an expanded version of a similarly titled record he put out this past summer. He’s already been in Australia and New Zealand in February and moved over to North America on March 31 in Phoenix to start the leg which wraps on May 9 in Los Angeles.

Silent Planet, Invent Animate, Apr 28, The Truman,$25-$47

Worlds. Will. Collide!!! Metalcore vets Silent Planet and Invent Animate are on the road together to play their 2023 records Superbloom and Heavener in their entirety, respectively. The two bands also recently teamed up for a new collaborative EP called Bloom In Heaven, which also blends their respective album titles. We checked out Invent Animate on a bill just last year in Lawrence.

We assume the stage will also get crowded as they’re expected to amalgamate to perform at least one of their Bloom In Heaven songs together as well. The trek started April 17th in TX and wraps May 16th, when both bands perform at Daytona, FL’s Welcome to Rockville festival.

Joining the bands for most dates are Pennsylvanian metalcore group 156/Silence and Sweden’s ALLT.

Korine, Apr 28, recordBar, $18

Philly darkwave duo Korine just released their fourth album, A Flame in the Dark, last month and are out on tour in support, including a fun recent weekend at Coachella. The tour hits KC around the mid-way point and is scheduled to finish in Washington, DC on May 19. Recent second single from the record is the electro ballad, “In Your Eyes” (no, not that version you’re thinking of).

TUESDAY APRIL 29

Mayday Parade Apr 29, Uptown,$41-$56

Mayday Parade – vocalist Derek Sanders, drummer/vocalist Jake Bundrick, guitarists Alex Garcia and Brooks Betts and bassist/vocalist Jeremy Lenzo – will be celebrating 20 years together this year and the Tallahassee, FL five-piece is set to release perhaps their most aspirational and ambitious effort yet: a three-part album.

The first entry, Sweet, just dropped April 18 with lead song, “By The Way.” “Being in a band for this long, sometimes you feel like you’re getting it right and sometimes you feel like you’re dancing around what you should be doing. This song feels locked in as a step in the right direction. It’s a song about trying to stay optimistic as the world and everything you know is changing around you. We hope you all enjoy it,” says Derek Sanders on “By The Way.”

The other two releases are expected later this year and into 2026 and $1 from each ticket sold will be donated to the Ally Coalition, supporting LGBTQ+ in NYC.

The Wrecks w Quarters of Change, Apr 29, The Truman, $29-$119

Alt-pop powerhouse The Wrecks have released their new project Inside, via Lava/Republic Records. This serves as the first half of their upcoming full-length album and features previously released singles “Speed” and “Always, Everytime” along with four new tracks.

On the project, frontman Nick Anderson shares: “INSIDE: is about self-realization—coming to know myself on a deeper level through both the highs and the lows. At first, that awareness felt like a cage, but over time, it became liberating. Making music is a lot like solving a puzzle, and this record was the hardest one yet. I spent a year inside my house, writing without direction, struggling with feeling lost, disconnected, and exhausted. I didn’t want to go outside, so I kept trying inside. But through that process, I rebuilt my confidence. These songs are the result of that journey. They gave me a way out—and now I get to go outside and share them with the world. I hope that people connect with it in their own way and if they do, then I set out to do exactly what I wanted to do.”

Dummy, April 29, White Schoolhouse-Lawrence, $15

Dummy, the indie Los Angeles shoegaze band comprised of Alex Ewell, Emma Maatman, Nathan O’Dell, and Joe Trainor released their new album “Free Energy” last September following their lead single/video, “Nullspace.” Their debut full-length Mandatory Enjoyment arrived in late 2021 and quickly became one of the year’s sleeper hits.

As for the rural venue, the current structure is the fourth schoolhouse to occupy the site- history swallowed the first circa 1860s structure, flooding consumed the second in 1903 and fire did in the third schoolhouse in 1928, but the fourth and current one has stayed up, being built in 1929. It’s a small and intimate space that should enhance a very personal kind of show.

Foxy Shazam, Apr 29, recordBar, $25

Foxy Shazam charged back into 2025 with a fiery new single "Rhumbatorium" ahead of their new and ninth studio album “Animality Opera”, via the band’s own label, EEEOOOAH.

Acclaimed for their over-the-top visual style and songwriting and playing, the new single features soaring vocals, underpinned by a cacophony of horns, guitars, and drums, culminating in a powerful spoken word verse by fellow artist and collaborator Shamon Cassette. As compelling as that sounds, the band is at its best live, which is its true element and arrive early for the dazzling visuals of Coney Island-based, Hot Fix Sideshow.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 30

Tommy Prine, Apr 30, Knuckleheads, $20

Son of the late John, Tommy Prine's 2023 debut album This Far South was a testimony to Prine's 20s and the defining loss, love, and growth from that era. Co-produced by close friend and musician Ruston Kelly, and Nashville engineer Gena Johnson, the album also received a deluxe version, out last June, featuring reimagined versions, a special guest and a brand-new song.

“Releasing my debut album changed so much in my life. The only things that stayed the same were my family, my pets, and my friends. Everything else changed drastically. I've had a few moments that felt like the point of no return, releasing the album being one of them. Not in a scary way, just in a way that there is no taking back art that you put out into the world. Once it has affected one other person, it has already begun its own life and will in turn change the creator's life.”

Tommy learned to play guitar by watching his father, mimicking the ways his fingers moved, he inadvertently developed his own style with influences as diverse as Gillian Welch, Outkast, Bon Iver, the Strokes and more.

THURSDAY MAY 1

Family Sideshow (play) May 1-10, KC Melting Pot, $21.50-$32.50

In this dark comedy, a dysfunctional family reunites for a chaotic and absurd night of revelations, confrontations, and unexpected twists, all unfolding under the glow of the family’s carnival sideshow held at the theater. It’s the World Premiere of Brysen Boyd's “Family Sideshow,” the winner of the 2020 KCMPT Black Playwright Festival.

Boyd is a playwright, TV writer, and essayist originally from Tacoma, WA who served on the writing staff for HBO’s “Succession”, is the inaugural Playwright-in-Residence at Reverie Theater Company, a member of Youngblood/Ensemble Studio Theater and was an Artist-in-Residence at the Williamstown Theater Festival.

The play was also a Playwrights’ Center Venturous Prize Nominee, O'Neill Conference Semi-finalist, and 2022 Juilliard Finalist.

   National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Weekend Gamer: The Last of Us Part II

The Last of Us Part II Remastered Read More The Last of Us I love the video game The Last of Us, probably my personal Game of the Year in 2018 for the PS3. The game was so good, that I re-purchased it for the PS4. I probably would’ve ....

With the new season of The Last of Us airing on HBO a few weeks ago, I’ve decided to finally get around to playing The Last of Us Part II video game, thanks to the game finally being available on PC (release date Apr 3, 2025).

I love the first game, having purchased it at least three times: Last of Us on PS3, “Remastered” (traded in the PS3 at Gamestop and paid the remaining balance for the PS4 version), and again on PC (purchased Sep 3, 2023 on Steam).

I love the first game, but I didn’t really understand why the game developer Naughty Dog needed to make a second game. I suppose the first game made so much money that it was inevitable that a sequel was in the works. Personally speaking, I thought the first game ended just fine and they could have ended the story there.

If you played the first game, the HBO series did a good job adapting the game - almost to a point that if you’ve played the game, there were no surprises at all. The adaption was very faithful to the game. My only gripe is the actress they cast for Ellie doesn’t look like the video game.

Dina and Ellie

With the second game, it takes place four years after the first game, making Ellie about 18 years old. So, she looks older and chiseled in the game. Again, comparing it to the television show, it looks like the actress that plays Ellie, Bella Ramsey, hasn’t aged at all and it doesn’t even seem like much time has passed in the television show.

My other problem is the actress they cast to play Abby, Kaitlyn Dever, doesn’t look as buff or physically intimidating as in the game. I know I should overlook these things, but there is a reason why Abby is so built, and in the television show, they are probably going to ignore that part of her character.

Looking at it, I felt like maybe Kaitlyn Dever looks more like Ellie, and I would’ve been much happier if they had originally cast her as Ellie. For Abby, they should have cast someone more muscular. Maybe someone in the MMA.

Anyway, as for the The Last of Us Part II game, I’m very early in the game. If you didn’t know… a major character gets killed, and it’s really the whole revenge plot of the game. They changed the show a little to better explain motivations. In the game, it’s a complete mystery, until it’s unveiled.

In the game, as is seen on the television show, Joel and Ellie’s relationship has fallen apart. The two aren’t as close as they were in the first game, and … and we’re also introduced to Ellie’s love interest, Dina. The Dina character, I have zero complaints about, as she looks and acts like the game. The video game Dina does remind me of someone I know (interesting to note that her name is also ‘Dina’, but with an ‘e’), especially with her hair and prominent nose.

I’ve forgotten how slow the game is in the beginning. It’s almost like half of it are pre-rendered movie. Playing the game on an ultrawide monitor is great… except every time a movie is shown, it cuts to widescreen. It is kind of annoying, but at least the game supports ultrawide for gameplay.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Yours,

Weekend Gamer
[email protected]

Read more Weekend Gamer.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

My Morning Jacket at the Armory (04-20-2025)

My Morning Jacket at Armory (20 Apr 2025) My Morning Jacket Setlist Out in the Open Compound Fracture Beginning from the Ending Evil Urges Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2 Time Waited I’m Amazed Lay Low Honest Man Wonderful (The Way I Feel) with Dave Simonett Like a River he Way That He Sings Off the Record Steam Engine Master Plan Everyday Magic Circuital Die for It Gideon -- Encore -- Victory Dance Purple Rain (Prince cover) with Grace Cummings One Big Holiday Grace Cummings Setlist Something Going ‘Round Raglan A Precious Thing Here Is the Rose Fly a Kite Common Man (Unknown) Ramona Heaven Read More My Morning Jacket This is the second night for My Morning Jacket at the Northrop Auditorium in Minneapolis. While Friday's MMJ show featured local Hippo Campus, Saturday's support will come from Lizzo. .... Grace Cummings Opening the show was Melbourne’s Grace Cummings. She’s joined on stage with her brother on guitars, Tyler on drums, Lino on bass (she also thanked her driver, ....

We last saw My Morning Jacket at the Palace Theatre in June, 2023 and it was a highlight of the year for the band knows how to put on a show.

My Morning Jacket at Palace Theatre (20 June 2023)

In the review, I mentioned that “...they played some pretty good pre-show music, music you normally wouldn’t hear at a rock show with songs like “Caravan” and “Mood Indigo” from the Duke Ellington Orchestra.”

Waiting in the Armory for the opening act, the pre-show music played Stevie Wonder, Hall & Oates and “In a Sentimental Mood” by the Duke Ellington Orchestra, which I took as an omen that the show would be just as entertaining.

Grace Cummings opened up the evening with a nine-song set. She is from Melbourne, Australia and is supporting her third album, Ramona. She has a powerful voice and a commanding presence. I heard shades of Cat Power. A photographer covering the show, Brandon, mentioned PJ Harvey.

Cummings played her first three songs with a band before moving to a couple of solo songs, one on the piano and the other acoustic guitar. At that point I heard echoes of Bob Dylan, which Cummings cites as an influence, even naming her latest album after his song “To Ramona”.

When she invited her band back on stage it was full-tilt with a sound that filled the cavernous venue, especially “Heaven”.

Looking at MMJ’s setlist on setlist.fm, it became apparent that they have no intention of playing the same songs night after night. Maybe that’s the prerogative of a band who has played close to thirty years together and is supporting its tenth album Is. Still, there must be a lot of scrambling backstage to keep up with the instrument changes and lighting that seemed to be schemed for each individual song.

From Louisville, Kentucky MMJ the band consists of Jim James on lead vocals and guitar, Tom Blakenship on bass, Patrick Hallahan on drums, Carl Broemel on guitar and Bo Koster on Keyboards. And for close to two and a half hours they kept their fan base enthralled with songs that always seemed to build into epic jams. “Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2” would be a case in point.

There wasn’t much patter for the songs blended right into each other. James did take a moment to say that they had the day off on Saturday and had a wonderful time in Minneapolis going to an art museum and dining at 112 Eatery.

For “Wonderful (The Way I Feel)” James invited Dave Simonett from Trampled by Turtles on stage who sang, then pulled his daughter from the wings to do a little dancing.

After the reggae-tinged “Off the Record” MMJ closed with “Die for It” and “Gideon”. And for the encore the gorgeous “Victory Dance”, then inviting Cummings on stage to cover Prince’s “Purple Rain”. And although four hours had almost elapsed since Cummings took the stage, the audience had enough to shake the floor for “One Big Holiday”.

As the main lights came up and I was getting ready to leave, a fan came over to let me know, “They brought it tonight,” After a fist bump, he repeated, “They brought it.”

Remaining Tour Dates

04/21 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater #

04/25 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace **

04/26 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace ††

04/27 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace ^^

04/29 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace ##

04/30 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace ^

05/02 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory at The District ^

05/04 – New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival

08/05 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater

08/06 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

08/08 – Bonner, MT – KettleHouse Amphitheater

08/09 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau St. Michelle Winery

08/13 – Dillon, CO – Dillon Amphitheater

08/15 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

08/16 – Morrison, CO – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

08/19 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium

08/20 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl

08/22 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre

10/08 – Washington, DC – The Anthem

10/10 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

10/11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

10/13 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway

10/14 – Portland, ME – State Theatre

10/16 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount

10/17 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount

10/18 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount

10/20 – Newport, KY – MegaCorp Pavilion

10/22 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee

10/24 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed

10/25 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed

10/26 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed

10/29 – Nashville, TN – The Pinnacle

10/31 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

11/01 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theatre

w/ Special Guests
^ Bendigo Fletcher
# Grace Cummings
** Lacey Guthrie
†† Future Killer
^^ The Jesse Lees
## 10th Street Dre and Maggie Halfman

Grace Cummings

Grace Cummings Grace Cummings

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket

My Morning Jacket at Armory (20 Apr 2025)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Jax: May 10 to May 12, 2025

Read more Jacksonville.

Southpaw at Jack Rabbits (10 May 2025)

10 May 2025 Saturday
Southpaw
with Resistor, Thirst, Throat Chop, and Identify The Body
at Jack Rabbits
jaxlive.com

Jacksonville’s Southpaw is headlining Jack Rabbits on May 10th, 2025.

Resistor, Thirst, Throat Chop, and Identify The Body to open.

Tour dates:

5/5 Clifton, NJ @dingbatznjofficial

5/6 Salisbury, MD @lcskateshop

5/7 Chesapeake, VA @riffhouse_pub

5/8 Columbia, SC @newbrooklandtavern

5/9 Warner Robbin’s, GA @friendsothill

5/10 Jacksonville, FL @jackrabbitslive

5/12 Charlotte, NC @themilestoneclub

5/13 Nashville, TN @cobra_nashville

5/14 Atlanta, GA @529_eav

5/15 Mobile, AL @alabama_music_box

Leftover Salmon at Intuition Ale Works (11 May 2025)

11 May 2025 Wednesday
Leftover Salmon
at Intuition Ale Works
intuitionaleworks.com

Bluegrass-roots jam band Leftover Salmon is celebrating their 35th Anniversary with a new studio album, Let’s Party About It (due out on May 9 via Compass Records), and a national tour. The band will stop by Intuition Ale Works, in Jacksonville, on May 11, 2025.

Tour dates:

4/24 - Stoughton Opera House | Stoughton, WI

4/25 - Outset | Chicago, IL

4/26 - Atomic Pavilion | St. Louis, MO

4/27 - MerleFest | Wilkesboro, NC

5/7 - Princess Theatre | Decatur, AL

5/8 - The Basement East | Nashville, TN

5/9 - From The Earth Brewing Company | Roswell, GA

5/10 - The Windjammer | Isle of Palms, SC

5/11 - The Bier Hall at Intuition Ale Works | Jacksonville, FL

5/16 - Tico Time Bluegrass Festival | Aztec, NM

5/18 - Golden Road Gathering | Placerville, CA

5/23 - DelFest | Cumberland, MD

5/24 - Dark Star Jubilee | Thornville, OH

5/26 - Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO#

6/19 - Utah Arts Festival | Salt Lake City, UT

6/20 - Sawtooth Valley Gathering | Stanley, ID

6/22 - 4 Peaks Presents Live at the Tower Theatre | Bend, OR

7/9 - Concerts Under the Stars | King of Prussia, PA*

7/10 - Wolf Trap - Filene Center | Vienna, VA*

7/11 - Koka Booth Amphitheatre | Cary, NC*

7/12 - Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion | Portsmouth, VA*

7/13 - The Amp Ballantyne | Charlotte, NC*

7/15 - Interlochen Center for the Arts - Kresge Auditorium | Interlochen, MI*

7/16 - Rose Music Center at The Heights | Huber Heights, OH*

7/17 - Peoria Riverfront | Peoria, IL*

7/18 - Meijer Gardens | Grand Rapids, MI*

7/19 - Driftless Music Gardens | Yuba, WI*

8/7 - Amphitheater at Las Colonias | Grand Junction, CO*

8/8 - Grand Targhee Bluegrass Festival | Alta, WY*

8/9 - KettleHouse Amphitheater | Bonner-West Riverside, MT*

8/10 - Marymoor Live | Redmond, WA*

8/12 - McDonald Theatre | Eugene, OR*

8/13 - Britt Music & Arts Festival - Britt Pavilion | Jacksonville, OR*

8/14 - McMenamins Grand Lodge | Forest Grove, OR*

8/15 - The Glow Plaza Festival Grounds | Reno, NV*

8/16 - The Warfield | San Francisco, CA*

9/12 - Bender Jamboree | Las Vegas, NV

9/14 - Bourbon & Beyond | Louisville, KY

10/4 - Southern Strings | Aiken, SC

1012 - Cavefest | Pelham, TN

12/11 - 14 - Strings & Sol | Puerto Morelos, QR

#w/Kitchen Dwellers & more, 35th anniversary & album celebration
*w/ Infamous Stringdusters and Kitchen Dwellers

Michael Feinberg Trio at Jack Rabbits (12 May 2025)

12 May 2025 Monday
Michael Feinberg Trio
with Thomas Pridgen and Axel Tosca
at Jack Rabbits
jaxlive.com

Michael Feinberg Trio will be playing Jack Rabbits on May 12, 2025.

Thomas Pridgen and Axel Tosca to open.

Tour dates:

4.19 Portland, Or

4.25 Queens, NY Ridgewood Jazz Fest

4.26 Queens, NY Ridgewood Jazz Fest

4.27 Queens, NY Ridgewood Jazz Fest

4.30 Queens, NY International Jazz Day at Dada bar

5.11 Atlanta, GA Gallery 992

5.12 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbits

5.13 Orlando, FL Judson's Live

5.14 Gainesville, FL Heartwood Soundstage

5.15 Tampa, FL Dunedin Brewery

5.16 Miami, FL Lagniappe House

5.22-24 San Fran., CA Black Cat

5.28 Ventura, CA The Grape

5.29 Ventura, CA The Grape

5.31 Portland, OR Jack London Review

6.10 Columbia, Wa LCC Jazz Festival

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Bob Mould at the Palace Theatre (04-19-2025)

Bob Mould at Palace Theatre (19 Apr 2025) Bob Mould Setlist Star Machine The Descent Neanderthal Here We Go Crazy You Need to Shine Fur Mink Augurs The Ocean Daddy’s Favorite Black Confetti Next Generation American Crisis Fireball Forecast of Rain I Don’t Know You Anymore You Say You Hardly Getting Over It* Celebrated Summer* Hard to Get When Your Heart is Broken The War Flip Your Wig* Siberian Butterfly Losing Time Hate Paper Doll* Something I Learned Today* Chartered Trips* Makes No Sense at All* * Hüsker Dü song Read More Bob Mould “Distortion and Blue Hearts!” is the name of the new tour from Bob Mould. The guy is a legend, we’ve been listening to his music since Sugar and through back catalogs, Hüsker Dü. …

Midway through the set, lead singer Rick Valentin of Poster Children stated a rule. “Rule No. 1. Don’t talk during the show.”

I’m not sure if the rule was for the audience. It did pertain to the band along with other punk rock rules. Rules like play fast and play loud and no instrument changes. Also, get plenty of cardio training in before going on tour so you can play loud and fast with no breaks between songs.

Poster Children formed in 1987 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and its members took to the proscenium stage at the Palace Theatre like they were still in their Twenties. Valentin was joined on stage by Jim Valentin on lead guitar, Matt Friscia on drums and Rose Marshack on bass.

Special shout out to Marshack who bounced around the stage with so much energy, I would like to see the band in twenty years just to see her raging into her twilight years.

By the end, though, Marshack was out of breath, but still took the opportunity to thank everyone for coming out. Valentin said that it was her birthday and got the audience to sing her birthday song, fast and loud, and for some reason, twice.

Bob Mould next took the stage and adhered to the above rules. In fact, he blistered through the first half of his set before even stopping to grab a breath.

Mould was joined on stage by Jason Narducy of Verbow and Split Single on bass and John Wurster of Superchunk and The Mountain Goats on drums.

We are big fans of Mould and have seen him multiple times over the years, last as a solo act at the Cedar Cultural Center in Oct, 2023 and with his band at First Ave in Sept, 2021.

The front half of the set was devoted to the six albums Mould has made with Narducy and Wurster, including his latest, Here We Go Crazy. The second half was devoted to songs from Hüsker Dü, a band he formed not far from the venue when he was a college student at Macalester.

Although Mould has much love for the Twin Cities and will be the keynote speaker for the 2025 Commencement at Macalester, there were no asides or trips down memory lane. After all, that would have violated rule No. 1.

Fun Fact: Last week I was playing the Wednesday crossword puzzle on the Vox website when I came across this clue:

13. Hüsker Dü album about a man trying to escape his miserable home life.

Answer: Zen Arcade.

Remaining Tour Dates

04/25 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^

04/26 – Chicago, IL – Metro ^

04/27 – Detroit, MI – El Club ^

04/29 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop ^

04/30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre ^

05/02 – Boston, MA – Paradise Rock Club ^

05/03 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge ^

05/04 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer ^

05/07 – Washington DC – Black Cat ^

05/09 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall ^

05/10 – Indianapolis, IN – HI–FI Indy ^

05/11 – Kalamazoo, MI – Bell’s Beer Garden #

+ w/ Special Guests Poster Children
^ w/ Special Guest J. Robbins
# w/ Special Guests Winged Wheel

Poster Children

Poster Children

Poster Children

Poster Children

Bob Mould

Jason Narducy

Jason Narducy

Jon Wurster

Bob Mould at Palace Theatre (19 Apr 2025)

dave ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: May 21, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Rachel Chinouriri at Fine Line (21 May 2025)

21 May 2025 Wednesday

Rachel Chinouriri
with Alemeda and BIZZY
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

Rachel Chinouriri is touring in support of her new EP Little House (10K Projects / Parlophone Records / Atlas Artists). The tour will stop in at the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on May 21, 2025.

Alemeda and BIZZY to open.

Tour dates:

9th May - 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

10th May – 9:30 Club – Washington, DC

12th May – Webster Hall – New York, NY

14th May – The Axis Club – Ontario, ON 

16th May – Theatre Fairmount – Montreal, QC

18th May – The Sinclair – Boston, MA

20th May – Lincoln Hall – Chicago, IL

21st May – Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN

24th May – Bluebird Theatre – Denver, CO 

25th May – Soundwell – Salt Lake City, UT

27th May - Neumos – Seattle, WA 

28th May – Neumos – Seattle, WA 

29th May – Wonder Ballroom – Portland, OR 

31st May – The Independent – San Franciso, CA

2nd June – The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

3rd June - The Fonda Theatre – Los Angeles, CA

6th June – House Of Blues Cambridge Room – Dallas, TX 

7th June – The Parish – Austin, TX 

8th June – House Of Blues Bronze Peacock – Houston, TX 

10th June – Terminal West – Atlanta, GA

13th June – Bonnaroo Music + Arts Festival – Manchester, TN  

21st June – Bludfest – Milton Keynes Bowl, UK 

26th – 29th June - Glastonbury Festival – Pilton, IUK

*supporting Sabrina Carpenter

Tennis at First Avenue (21 May 2025) Read More Tennis Husband/wife duo Tennis is back in town. Their forthcoming album Yours Conditionally will be out March 10th via Mutually Detrimental / Thirty Tigers. … Billie Marten Yorkshire’s Billie Marten is touring in support of her new album Drop Cherries (IMPERIAL Music). The album was recorded entirely on tape in Somerset and Wales ....

21 May 2025 Wednesday

Tennis
with Billie Marten
at First Avenue
first-avenue.com

Acclaimed indie-pop duo Tennis (husband and wife Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore) is touring in support of Face Down In The Garden (Mutually Detrimental). The tour will stop by First Avenue, in Minneapolis, on May 21, 2025.

Tennis at First Avenue, Minneapolis (08 April 2023)

We saw Tennis in April 2023 and said, “So it’s been a long time since we last saw the band. This is due to conflicting shows, or the fact that the COVID pandemic caused cancellations throughout the last few years. Seeing the band on stage, you can tell that the band is very excited to be playing live again. As you can see in some of the photos below, Alaina’s look is of love and adoration. It carries in the way she sings and how the band play to the beat.”

Billie Marten at 7th Street Entry (16 June 2023)

Billie Marten to open. We caught Billie Marten in June 2023 and said, “Billie Marten is a woman in love, she asks “Anyone in love?” Every note, every words, there is a hint of longing. From what I’ve gathered, listening to her talk, her love (Will Taylor of Flyte) was very far away. Of course, the longing and sadness could have something to do with her severe seasonal affective disorder (SAD).”

Tour dates:

05/16 – Las Vegas, NV – Swan Dive *

05/17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall *

05/18 – Salt Lake City, UT – Kilby Block Party #

05/21 – Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue †

05/23 – Chicago, IL – The Salt Shed †

05/24 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI Annex †

05/25 – Cleveland, OH – Globe Iron †

05/27 – Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall †

05/30 – Boston, MA – Roadrunner †

05/31 – Philadelphia, PA – Franklin Music Hall †

06/01 – New York, NY – The Rooftop at Pier 17 †

06/03 – Washington, DC – The Anthem †

06/05 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz †

06/06 – Atlanta, GA – The Eastern †

06/07 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl Nashville †

06/09 – Dallas, TX – The Factory in Deep Ellum †

06/10 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall (Downstairs) †

06/11 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater †

08/18 – San Diego, CA – Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

08/20 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre

08/22 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy + Harriet’s

08/23 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren

08/24 – Santa Fe, NM – The Bridge

08/26 – Denver, CO – The Mission Ballroom

08/28 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall

08/29 – Portland, OR – McMenamins Grand Lodge

08/30 – Vancouver, BC – Malkin Bowl

09/02 – Sacramento, CA – Channel 24 ^

09/04 – Saratoga, CA – The Mountain Winery ^

* w/ Special Guests Husbands
† w/ Special Guest Billie Marten

# Festival Appearance

North Innsbruck, Magenta Vice, Night Audit, and PRODROME at 7th St Entry (21 May 2025)

21 May 2025 Wednesday

North Innsbruck, Magenta Vice, Night Audit, and PRODROME
at 7th St Entry
first-avenue.com

Local Minneapolis show, presented by Nitrowave Twin Cities, featuring North Innsbruck, Magenta Vice, Night Audit, and PRODROME.

Magenta Vice who is releasing their album A Shift in Momentum at the show, writes:

It's here! The release for Magenta Vice's debut album "A Shift in Momentum" will be happening May 21st at @firstavenue @7thstentry Joining us will be @prodrome.mpls @nightauditmusic and @northinnsbruck for an unforgettable night of synth music. We'll have the album available on both cassette and vinyl. Don't miss this one! Ticket link in bio.

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Jax: May 7 to May 9, 2025

Joey’s Van at Jack Rabbits (07 May 2025)

Read more Jacksonville.

07 May 2025 Wednesday
Joey’s Van
at Jack Rabbits
jaxlive.com

Tennessee-based Joey’s Van will be stopping by Jack Rabbits, in Jacksonville, on May 7, 2025. The tri-cities plays ’90s-’00s Pop Punk, Emo, and Alternative music.

Tour dates:

APR 26 The Milk Parlor Blacksburg, VA

MAY 06 Tin Roof Charleston, SC

MAY 07 Jack Rabbits Jacksonville, FL

MAY 08 Tin Roof Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

MAY 09 Tin Roof Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale, FL

MAY 10 Tin Roof Delray Beach, FL

JUN 13 Creek Ratz Murrells Inlet, SC

JUN 14 Barefoot Landing North Myrtle Beach, SC

JUL 05 Devils Backbone Basecamp Brewpub Roseland, VA Set Reminder

The Psycodelics at Jack Rabbits (08 May 2025)

08 May 2025 Thursday
The Psycodelics
with Universal Green and Red Magnolia
at Jack Rabbits
jaxlive.com

The Psycodelics is headlining Jack Rabbits, in Jacksonville, on May 8, 2025.

Universal Green and Red Magnolia to open.

Tour dates:

Apr 18 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Apr 19 Raleigh, NCS · Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

May 2 North Charleston, SC · North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center

May 3 Jacksonville, FL · Florida Theatre

May 9 Pachuca, Mexico · Auditorio Explanada Pachuca

May 17 Elizabeth, NJ · Ritz Theatre & Performing Arts Center

May 18 Tysons, VA · Capital One Hall

May 24 Los Mochis, Mexico · Estadio Emilio Ibarra Almada

May 30 Mexicali, Mexico · Plaza de Toros “Calafia”

Jun 13 Fresno, CA · Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center

Jun 14 Ontario, CA · Toyota Arena

Jun 20 Sacramento, CA · Sacramento Memorial Auditorium

Jun 21 Bakersfield, CA · Mechanics bank theater

Jun 22 Pala, CA · Starlight Theater

Jun 27 Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Mexico · Foro Chiapas

Jun 28 Villahermosa, Mexico · Teatro al aire libre

Jul 25 Charlotte, NC · Ovens Auditorium

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Martin Marietta Center

Jul 26 Raleigh, NC · Meymandi Concert Hall

In Gloom at the Albatross (09 May 2025)

09 May 2025 Friday
In Gloom
with Inferious, Discoveries, Double Crossed
at the Albatross
blacksunshinebooking.com

The In Gloom’s album True Violence And All The Terror That Comes With It release show is taking place at The Albatross (FKA Underbelly).

Special guests with special guests: Inferious, Discoveries, and Double Crossed.

Tour dates:

04/25 - LOUISVILLE, KY WRONGSIDE 812

04/26 - NASHVILLE, TN- LOUNGE

04/28 - CHICAGO, IL WC SOCIAL CLUB

04/29 - DES MOINES, IA - LEFTY’S

04/30 - CUDAHY WI - X-RAY ARCADE

05/02 - LAKEWOOD, OH:- FOUNDRY

05/03 - SYRACUSE, NY - THE JUGG

05/04 - BROOKLYN, NY - THE WOODSHOP

05/06 - ROANOKE, VA - THE SPOT

05/07 - RALEIGH, NC - THE POUR HOUSE MUSIC HALL

05/08 - MYRTLE BEACH, SC - BRICKHOUSE LOUNGE

05/09 - JACKSONVILLE, FL - UNDERBELLY

05/10 - BRADENTON, FL OSCURA

05/11 - ATLANTA, GA - SWEETWATER - No In Gloom

If your band is coming to the Jacksonville/St Augustine area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

We♥KC! April 25-27, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Read More Joywave That was completely the vibe for Rochester, NY’s Joywave as they played an hour-long set, in support of fourth album, Cleanse, released in February. Singer Daniel Armbruster .

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Last weekend for a fairly rainy April--

Grass gets longer, temps start to slowly climb, and outdoor patios are re-opening, meaning outdoor concert venues will soon do the same. Schools will be out for summer break too, so expect Lawrence shows to slightly slow down, but we’re showing a fairly packed KC events calendar, from now through October!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming weekend from April 25th to 27^th.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

FRIDAY APRIL 25

Maribou State, Apr 25, The Truman, $25

The electronic duo Maribou State released their album 'Hallucinating Love', in late January via Ninja Tune, featuring soulful new track ‘All I Need’(feat. MOBO-nominated artist Andreya Triana). The duo of Chris Davids and Liam Ivory are back with new music, their first studio album in seven years after a turbulent few years following Davids’ surgery for a rare brain condition.

Another single, ‘Otherside’ featuring vocalist Holly Walker, also precluded the new record and it should be a nice welcome back after almost a decade away.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bobby Rush, Apr 25, Uptown, $40-$100

What a pairing! Three-time Grammy Award-winning blues legend Bobby Rush and five-time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter/guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, unite on a tour to support their brand-new collaboration album, Young Fashioned Ways, which just came out late last month. Their debut single, “Who Was That,” was already featured in Lionsgate’s upcoming film Flight Risk starring Mark Wahlberg.

The pair have embarked on a 24-city U.S. tour starting right here in Kansas City, MO going through late August to wrap in Lincoln City, LA. The 91-year-old Rush is 44 years older than KWS and is a three-time Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional Blues Album for Porcupine Meat, Rawer than Raw, and 2024’s All My Love For You. He is also a 56-time nominated and 16-time Blues Music Awards winner and has been inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame and Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

Rush and Shepherd named the album Young Fashioned Ways culminating from their mutual admiration of blues legend Muddy Waters, and the youthfulness of their pairing despite their wide age gap. The two artists also wrote a new version of Waters’ “Young Fashioned Ways” based on Willie Dixon’s original, re-titled the song “Young Ways,” and included it on the album. The album also includes colorful re-inventions of four classic Rush songs – “40 Acres (How Long),” “G String,” “Make Love to You” and “Uncle Esau.”

Ally Venable, Apr 25, Knuckleheads,$20

The Texas-born and bred guitar shredding powerhouse drops single, “Unbreakable” featuring Shemekia Copeland and is out on her ‘Money & Power’ Tour, named after the new record of the same name, which was just released last Friday via Ruf Records. She just got off the road on the Experience Hendrix Tour, but is back out again as a headliner.

“This is a powerful duet, and defiant anthem that celebrates the indomitable spirit of women who have weathered life’s storms,” says Ally. “The song paints a vivid portrait of two souls who have both gone through adversity, yet their voices blend in a harmonious tribute to resilience and triumph. I am here to let women know that they can stand tall and face the world with unbreakable courage and strength.” “All the songs on this album showcase the theme of what it truly means to be a force to be reckoned with. I want this record to wake people up,” she notes.

Five for Fighting, Apr 25, Liberty Hall-Lawrence, $35-$85

Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling artist, Five For Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) is set to hit town on the opening performance of his series of special string quartet shows before he and his full band hit the road more traditionally with Vertical Horizon later in the summer and fall.

Ondrasik will be bringing top musicians including Tony-Award winning concertmaster and co-orchestrator of Moulin Rouge! The Musical Katie Kresek on violin, Melissa Tong on violin, who toured with Post Malone in 2023, and Broadway’s Chris Cardona on viola and Peter Sachon on cello. The unique nature of the shows allows Ondrasik to go behind the music and tell stories while the format allows for a deeper dive into the catalog, while there is always a surprise or two in store.

As Five For Fighting, he has released six studio albums, including the platinum America Town and The Battle for Everything; and the top ten Two Lights, along with an EP and live albums. FFF’s radio hits include “100 Years,” “The Riddle,” “Chances,” “World,” and “Easy Tonight,” which have earned tens of millions of streams and place him as a top 10 Hot Adult Contemporary artist for the 2000s.

Ondrasik’s passion for humanitarian efforts and freedom has been a longstanding commitment and he’s been writing songs about key events around the world from a humanistic perspective including “Can One Man Save The World?” which was inspired by President Vladimir Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine. He wrote “OK (We Are Not Ok)” in response to the October 7th attacks in Israel, while addressing its cultural aftermath everywhere.

Hayes Carll / Corb Lund, Apr 25, Knuckleheads, Sold Out

The only thing better than Corb Lund and Hayes Carll is the pair on tour together! Coming off his recent collaboration with The Band of Heathens, TX songwriter Carll is now in collaboration with Canadian C&W legend Lund for their “Bible on the Dash” tour, named after the duo’s 2012 song together.

Both will be on stage together – swapping songs, storytelling, and revealing the inspirations behind many their songs in unique performances. This should be a fun and unique show for those who scored tickets – alas, already sold out for anyone on the fence.

The Ocean Blue, Apr 25- Bottleneck-Lawrence, $25-$30

The Alt-rock 120 Minutes-era veterans are back out on tour where they’re playing their 1989 self-titled debut album and 1991’s Cerulean, in their entirety. The Ocean Blue's debut record on the famed Sire Records label in 1989 and the band of four teenagers from Hershey, PA quickly achieved widespread acclaim and radio & MTV airplay, with hits like “Between Something and Nothing” and “Drifting, Falling”. They followed their debut album with the subtle and atmospheric Cerulean, which included perhaps their most beloved song, “Ballerina Out of Control”.

In 2013, the band released their first full length record in over 10 years, Ultramarine, on Korda Records, a Minneapolis-based label cooperative label the band helped launch, which is also why they played semi-frequently in the Twin Cities, though didn’t originate there. The band has gone on to release their first new full length album in over 6 years as well.

Hairball, Apr 25, Stormont-Vail Events Center- Topeka, $15-$55

It’s a celebration of 25 years of Las Vegas meets Arena Rock! Starting out in small Minnesota bars (which is where we used to catch them), Hairball has evolved into a legendary tribute touring act that brings the glory of the 80’s to fans throughout the country, with a 2+ hour accurate homage to the biggest arena acts of the era. From Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, Aerosmith, and more – recreated time and time again in front of your very eyes! Their bombastic, action-packed, Rock & Roll party is chock-full of surprises with an arena-sized light show, smoke, fire, and pyrotechnics.

SATURDAY APRIL 26

Paul Simon, Apr 26, Midland, Sold Out

No longer the 'boy in the bubble', legendary singer songwriter Paul Simon has un-retired from live concerts and is playing live again, for the first time since the ‘farewell tour’ of 2018 (due to hearing issues) and with more “intimate” arrangements and locations than the bigger tours of old.

The “Quiet Celebration Tour” is focused around his most recent album, the acoustically based “Seven Psalms,”which has been played live in its entirety for the first half of these shows. Expect the 83-year-old and band to rock the hits after an intermission to close the night. Most dates on this 50-show tour are multi-nights in bigger metros, with KC just getting the one night.

The band will include Caleb Burhans (viola), Jamey Haddad (percussion), Gyan Riley (guitar), Mick Rossi (piano, keys), Andy Snitzer (saxophone), Nancy Stagnita (flute), Mark Stewart (guitar) and Eugene Friesen (cello), with Steve Gadd and Matt Chamberlin alternating on drums.

Joywave Apr 26, Truman,$28.50-$55

The acclaimed indie rock band from Rochester, NY has returned to live shows on their Here to Perform... Spring 2025 Tour. The tour supports the band’s acclaimed fifth studio album, Permanent Pleasure and is set to feature special guest little image as the supporting act. Expect a fun live show, like when we saw them last in Lawrence in 2022.

About the tour, the band said, "2024 was a busy year for us with the release of Permanent Pleasure, the accompanying short film, a full North American tour, and a run through Europe. We weren't ready for it to be over, so we figured we'd hit a bunch of cities in the US that got left out the first time. Expect a giant cat."

The band describes the new album: “A decade in the sunbeam. A unique vantage point. Our job has become to sit and think. To experience and react. The album is really 10 thoughts from Joywave's beam. I think most of the lyrics are taking place in the light as well, not loads of metaphors. Quite a bit more personal. The album is Joywave's 'whatever we want to do, whenever we want to do it' at its best, and we loved the idea of the temporary state of the band name maturing into this album title."

Openers little image are a rising Dallas alt-pop trio that is out in support of its self-titled album and buzzing singles, "Out of My Mind" and the follow-up, "Run for Forever". 

li

Dehd, Apr 26, Granada- Lawrence, $23-$26

The Chicago-based band released their fifth album “Poetry” last year and is out playing live to support and my, have they grown in just a few years, even opening recently for Jack White, and is now celebrating its 10^th anniversary. The band is still comprised of its founding members: singer and guitarist Jason Balla, singer and bassist Emily Kempf and drummer Eric McGrady. $1 from each ticket sold, will go benefit the Plus One organization.

The band released its fifth studio album “Poetry” in 2024. The album both continues Dehd’s evolution — transitioning away from its earlier punk sound (like when we saw them in Lawrence in 2021)— and maintains its genre-mixing work. “Poetry” balances the highs with the lows, weaving optimism and regret into one project. Following the breakout success of Flower of Devotion and Blue Skies, Dehd embarked on an unconventional songwriting journey, road-tripping across the U.S. to find inspiration in remote cabins, solar-powered studios, and even a brief stint stranded in rural Montana.

Shooting Star, Apr 26, Ameristar, $25-$85

Shooting Star was formed in the 1970s by Bill Guffey, Van McLain, Steve Thomas, Ron Verlin, Charles Waltz and Gary West, and Gary’s brother Ron West started the band Missouri.

Ron formed Missouri and Gary went on to record an album with a band called The Beckies. Later, Gary was recruited by a new band called The Shooting Stars, which was later changed to Shooting Star.

To Midwest radio listeners, both bands were on heavy rotation and had numerous hits, but neither band ever truly broke nationally. Come re-live the glory of the West brothers and what could have been.

Zeds Dead, Apr 26, Cable Dahmer Arena- Independence, $35

Their sophomore full-length album, Return To The Spectrum Of Intergalactic Happiness from the Canadian duo just dropped last month and the tour is in full swing as well, having kicked off on March 7 in Atlanta and wraps in Toronto on May 10.

Zeds Dead’s Hooks (real name Zachary Rapp-Rovan) and DC (real name Dylan Mamid) spent hours pouring through old videos to include as flips and projected behind them onstage as part of their visuals. Get those glowsticks ready for an EDM extravaganza!

“This year we’re trying to look at the samples behind a lot of music,” Rapp-Rovan told Pollstar “We started making hip-hop, and we would sample a lot of things. We carried that over into Zeds Dead, but it was remixing while still sampling things. This show, we wanted to incorporate visuals that show where the samples came from, not just with our music but with the music we play, and showcase how many different eras of music are actually represented in our sets. We thought it would be a cool visual element, and that’s one of the things we’re working towards.”

Smithereens with John Cowsill, Apr 26, Knuckleheads, $35-$55

New Jersey’s own Smithereens have been creating electrifying, original rock n roll for 45 years (since 1980!). Jim Babjak (guitar,) Dennis Diken (drums,) and Mike Mesaros (bass) grew up together in Carteret, NJ and lead singer, the late Pat DiNizio, hailed from Scotch Plains, NJ. Under their belt, they have 17 albums and 2500 plus live shows and timeless songs like rock radio staples “Blood and Roses”, “Only a Memory’, “Behind the Wall of Sleep”, and “A Girl Like You.”

DiNizio passed away unexpectedly in 2017but the three surviving bandmates, Babjak, Diken, and Mesaros, decided to persevere and carry on their shared legacy. An album of all new material is in the works for later in 2025. Using alternating special guest vocalists, such as John Cowsill (The Cowsills/The Beach Boys,) they continue to tour and rock fans all over.

SUNDAY APRIL 27

Static Dress w Soul Blind, Apr 27, Bottleneck-Lawrence,$19-$20

The West Yorkshire UK post-hardcore band have a new debut single, "face" and accompanying music video. The band has stated that the song is "a metaphor of a car crash to detail a turbulent relationship," which also "explores the horror that can unfold in the pursuit of love, and the often-destructive fallout when the results come to light."

The band are now out on their first-ever proper U.S. headline run supporting last year’s “Rouge Carpet Disaster” album, entitled the Crying Across The USA tour, with support from Soul Blind which kicked off in Brooklyn last week and wraps up in Atlanta just under one month later.

Hailing from Hudson Valley, NY, Soul Blind pushes the boundaries of alternative rock with a collage of sounds and an injection of hardcore attitude. Formed in 2018 and debuting with the Willpower EP, the band has a nuanced approach to songwriting you’ll hear on their EP, Third Chain (via Other People Records).

   National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity?  Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email [email protected]

john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

The Welsh Ballad of John Evans

Gruff Rhys at Swedish American Hall (19 Apr 2025) Tour Dates 04/21 Portland, OR @ Polaris Hall 04/22 Seattle, WA @ Here – After 05/07 Belfast, UK - Black Box 05/09 Stockport, UK - Savoy Theatre 05/10 Wrexham, UK - Focus Wales 05/15 London, UK - Rich Mix 05/16 Leeds, UK - The Wardrobe 06/07 Swansea, UK, Gwyl Tawe Festival 06/11 Guildford, UK - The Boileroom 06/12 Tunbridge Wells, UK - The Forum 06/14 Ipswich, UK - Brighten the Corners Festival 08/29 Brighton, UK - Psych Fest Read More Gruff Rhys Brush up on your Welsh, yanks! Gruff Rhys, lead singer and guitarist of the indie rock band Super Furry Animals and part of the electro-pop group Neon Neon, is digging up his solo sounds. … Chris Forsyth Meg Baird, the co-founder of Philadelphia's luminary psychedelic folk collective Espers, is co-headlining a tour with Chris Forsyth. Forsyth’s new album Evolution Here We Come …

Gruff Rhys
Swedish American Music Hall
San Francisco
April 19, 2025

I spilled my cider in the front row. Normally, this might not be that significant at an indie rock show, but this was not a typical indie rock show. This was a seated Gruff Rhys show, with a heavy dose of a Nerd Nite-style history lesson on the 18th century Welsh explorer John Evans, as told through words, music, and staged photos projected on the screen center-stage. So, the crowd was respectfully hushed as Rhys sat down at his keyboard and computer set-up when I spilled my cider. “Oh, hopefully you didn’t lose too much of that,” he said kindly to me, before proceeding.

Rhys created catchy, kooky rock during Britpop’s heyday as the frontman for the Welsh band Super Furry Animals, with fuzzed-out riffs, carefree melodies, and Rhys’ super furry Welsh accent. As a solo artist, Rhys has mellowed out, but he’s still mining new ground. Rhys’ tour this spring, celebrating the tenth anniversary of American Interior, is a hybrid performance cataloging his travels across the American Midwest and South to retrace Evans’ journey. Evans originally set out to find out the truth behind the myth of a 12th-century Welsh prince who supposedly settled among a Native American tribe.

Though a mellower affair than a Super Furries show, it was still pretty kooky. Through the course of the concert, Rhys recounted Evans’ tragic journey through staged photos featuring a John Evans stand-in: a puppet that looked like Sesame Street’s Count Dracula. There's the Evans puppet getting "arrested" by a modern-day cop cuffing him against his cop car; there's the Evans puppet pensively sailing down the Missouri River; there’s the Evans puppet stopping during his journey to enjoy an iced latte.

Rhys recounted the entire journey from beginning to end, accompanied by, of course, a full set of musical interludes. He mainly performed solo, with keyboards and guitar, but was joined by opener Chris Forsyth near the end of his set. Rhys played lovely, low-key renditions of his solo work, like “Bad Friend” from his 2024 album, Sadness Sets Me Free, and American Interior tracks like “The Last Conquistador,” “Lost Tribes,” and “100 Unread Messages.”

With the unfolding of story and song, Evans’ journey became our collective journey. Rhys related the Welsh prince myth to our present-day bout of “fake news”—something meant to fit a colonialist narrative. Even with the hilarious slide show, the night’s performance ended up being riveting, tuneful, and melancholy in equal parts. I was fascinated and entertained all night.

The Philadelphia-based Forsyth, who has opened for Super Furry Animals in the past, brought his freeform artrock atmospherics as a complementary, stripped-down prelude.

Chris Forsyth photo courtesy of Heidi Chiao

Chris Forsyth photo courtesy of Heidi Chiao

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Gruff Rhys, with Chris Forsyth, at Swedish American Music Hall, San Francisco (19 Apr 2025) photo courtesy of Amy Timko

Robin Lapid ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Minneapolis: May 18 to May 20, 2025

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Nekrogoblikon at Varsity Theater (18 May 2025) Read More Nekrogoblikon Los Angeles melodic death metal band Nekrogoblikon is headlining the Amsterdam Bar & Hall, in St Paul, on September 19, 2024. …

18 May 2025 Sunday

Nekrogoblikon
with Revocation, Ov Sulfur, and BRAT
at Varsity Theater
livenation.com

Los Angeles’ death metal band Nekrogoblikon will headline the Varsity Theater, in Minneapolis, on May 18, 2025.

They are bringing Revocation, Ov Sulfur, and BRAT with them on this tour.

Tour dates:

May 8 Roseville, CA, US Goldfield Trading Post

May 9 Portland, OR, US Hawthorne Theatre

May 10 Seattle, WA, US El Corazon

May 11 Boise, ID, US Treefort Music Hall

May 13 Denver, CO, US Summit

May 15 St Louis, MO, US Delmar Hall

May 15 Milwaukee, WI, US Milwaukee Metal Fest

May 16 Lawrence, KS, US Granada Theatre

May 18 Minneapolis, MN, US Varsity Theater

May 20 Detroit, MI, US Majestic Theatre

May 21 Columbus, OH, US The King of Clubs

May 22 Pittsburgh, PA, US Thunderbird Cafe

May 23 Worcester, MA, US Palladium

May 24 Brooklyn, NY, US Music Hall of Williamsburg

May 25 Richmond, VA, US The National

May 27 Greensboro, NC, US Hangar 1819

May 28 Atlanta, GA, US The Masquerade - Hell

May 29 Orlando, FL, US The Abbey

May 30 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US Revolution Live

May 31 Tampa, FL, US The Orpheum

Jun 2 Houston, TX, US White Oak Music Hall

Jun 3 Austin, TX, US Come and Take It Live

Jun 4 Dallas, TX, US Trees

Jun 6 Albuquerque, NM, US Sunshine Theater

Jun 7 Mesa, AZ, US The Nile Theater

Jun 8 Las Vegas, NV, US Backstage Bar

Jun 10 Fresno, CA, US Strummer's

Jun 11 San Francisco, CA, US Great American Music Hall

Jun 12 San Diego, CA, US Observatory North Park

Jun 13 Los Angeles (LA), CA

Momma at Fine Line (19 May 2025) Read More Momma Momma is a rising Los Angeles indie rock band and opened the evening with a thirty-minute-set, in support of recent record “Household Name” and more recent single, “Bang Bang” …

19 May 2025 Monday

Momma
with Wishy
at Fine Line
first-avenue.com

New York, by the way of California, Momma (formed by Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten) is headlining the Fine Line, in Minneapolis, on May 19, 2025, in support of their new album Welcome to My Blue Sky (Polyvinyl Records).

Momma at Azura Amphitheater (11 June 2023)

We saw the band in June 2023 and said, “Momma is a rising Los Angeles indie rock band and opened the evening with a thirty-minute-set, in support of recent record “Household Name” and more recent single, “Bang Bang”. The band would make a return appearance as well, jumping on stage to join Weezer for a song during their set.”

Wishy to open.

Tour dates:

Apr 23, 2025 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday Louisville, KY

Apr 25, 2025 Skully's Music Diner Columbus, OH

Apr 26, 2025 Motorco Music Hall Durham, NC

Apr 28, 2025 Terminal West Atlanta, GA

Apr 29, 2025 The Basement East Nashville, TN

Apr 30, 2025 Growlers Memphis, TN

May 2, 2025 Last Concert Cafe Houston, TX

May 3, 2025 Tulips Fort Worth, TX

May 4, 2025 Mohawk Austin, TX

May 6, 2025 Crescent Ballroom Phoenix, AZ

May 9, 2025 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA

May 10, 2025 August Hall San Francisco, CA

May 12, 2025 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR

May 13, 2025 Biltmore Cabaret Vancouver, BC

May 14, 2025 Neumos Seattle, WA

May 16, 2025 Kilby Block Party Salt Lake City, UT

May 16, 2025 Urban Lounge Salt Lake City, UT

May 17, 2025 Marquis Theater Denver, CO

May 19, 2025 Fine Line Minneapolis, MN

May 20, 2025 Thalia Hall Chicago, IL

May 22, 2025 The Axis Club Toronto, ON

May 23, 2025 Club SAW Ottawa, ON

May 24, 2025 Théâtre Fairmount Montreal, QC

May 28, 2025 The Sinclair Cambridge, MA

May 29, 2025 The Atlantis Washington, DC

May 30, 2025 Union Transfer Philadelphia, PA

May 31, 2025 Warsaw Brooklyn, NY

Jun 4, 2025 - Jun 8, 2025 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain

Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 NOS Primavera Sound Festival Porto, Portugal

Jun 13, 2025 Victoria Park London, UK Outbreak Festvial

Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025 Manchester B.E.C Arena Manchester, UK Outbreak Fest

Sep 21, 2025 Ascend Amphitheater Nashville, TN

Sep 23, 2025 Red Hat Amphitheater Raleigh, NC

Sep 24, 2025 Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre Charlotte, NC

Nov 4, 2025 Pitchfork Festival Paris, FR

Nov 8, 2025 Pitchfork Festival London, UK

Matt Andersen at Dakota Jazz Club (20 May 2025) Read More Matt Andersen Matt Andersen is touring in support of his new album Honest Man (True North Records).... the follow-up to his 2014 JUNO Award nominated album Weightless. …

20 May 2025 Tuesday

Matt Andersen
at Dakota Jazz Club
dakotacooks.com

Acclaimed, award-winning Canadian singer, songwriter, and guitarist Matt Andersen will be playing the Dakota Jazz Club, in Minneapolis, on May 20, 2025. Andersen’s latest The Hammer & The Rose will be out April 25 via Sonic Records.

Tour dates:

May 1 2025 Portland, ME @ Portland House of Music

May 2 2025 Rockland, ME @ The Strand

May 3 2025 Natick, MA @ The Center for Arts

May 5 2025 Exeter, NH @ The Word Barn

May 6 2025 Rockport, MA @ Shalin Liu

May 7 2025 Fall River, MA @ Narrows Center for the Arts

May 8 2025 Northampton, MA @ Iron Horse

May 9 2025 New York, NY @ Iridium

May 10 2025 Sellersville, PA @ Sellersville Theater

May 11 2025 Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java

May 13 2025 Pittsburgh, PA @ City Winery

May 14 2025 Cleveland, OH @ Music Box

May 15 2025 Findlay, OH @ Armes Hall - Marathon Center

May 16 2025 Ann Arbor, MI @ The Ark

May 17 2025 Grand Rapids, MI @ Midtown

May 18 2025 Chicago, IL @ Old Town School of Folk Music

May 19 2025 Madison, WI @ The Bur Oak

May 20 2025 Minneapolis, MN @ The Dakota

Jun 20 2025 Kensington, PE @ Under the Spire

Jul 5 2025 Quebec City, QC @ Festival d’été de Québe

Jul 18 2025 Niagara, ON @ Jackson-Triggs - Summer Concert Series

Jul 19 2025 Campbellford, ON @ Westben Festival Barn

Jul 26 2025 Petit Rocher, NB @ Blues d'la Baie Festival

Aug 27 2025 Tønder, DK @ Tønder Festival

Sep 18 2025 Bible Hill, NS @ Nova Scotia Stampede

If your band is coming to the Minneapolis/St Paul area, please email details to [email protected] with a good lead time. Thank you.

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com