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You’d think concert ticket prices just went up across the board, but…
...that’s not really the case- The Ticket Act, which requires that all fees are disclosed up front, as part of the total ticket price, just went into effect. So, it’s more transparent to see all the various inflated fees, that are part of some of the ticketed shows out there.
While we think it’s generally a good idea; bringing in Kid Rock, dressed as some star-spangled used car salesman to present this new law, could have used a bit more couth.
Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming weekend of May 16th-18th.
(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)
FRIDAY MAY 16
Ben Rector, May 16 and 17, The Midland, $43-$314
Ben Rector returns to KC for two nights, now on his The Richest Man in the World Tour which is the Tulsa-born, Nashville native and University of Arkansas grad’s first major full band tour since 2022’s “The Joy Of Music” (which we checked out live in Kansas City).
“I’m excited to take a different approach to touring this year," Rector said. "I know the band and I are looking forward to it and will bring something really, really special every night we get to perform."
Rector recently released three new songs in an EP titled, “Songs From The Richest Man In The World." with an expected new album due later this year. Rector has independently released a total of seven studio albums and his songs have received both RIAA Gold and RIAA Platinum certifications, amassing more than a billion streams. His most popular songs include "Brand New," "Love Like This" and "Drive."
Lukas Nelson, May 16, Knuckleheads, sold out
GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Lukas Nelson has become one of the most respected voices in music today, with eight studio albums to his name and this time he’s out solo, without his famed backing band, Promise of the Real.
Since his arrival in Nashville, Nelson has established himself as a highly sought-after collaborator both in the studio and on the stage, joining forces with The Travelin' McCourys, to arrange and perform a bluegrass-inspired rendition of Adele’s hit, “Someone Like You,” which featured Sierra Ferrell.
Additionally, he co-produced the music on the GRAMMY Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack of Best Original Music winning soundtrack for the acclaimed 2018 film “A Star is Born,” in which he also appeared.
Amigo the Devil, May 16, moved to Warehouse on Broadway, $31.02
Singer-songwriter Amigo the Devil (aka Danny Kiranos) returns on the road to support his most recent studio album ‘Yours Until The War Is Over’ and is bringing many like-minded dark folk friends along, like MN’s own Charlie Parr, for a full bill.
Kiranos previously completed a US tour with Flogging Molly, had runs in Australia and New Zealand, and played gigs with Frank Turner last summer before resuming his road schedule again.
Nekrogoblikon, May 16, Granada, $29.50-$35
Nekrogoblikon, Revocation and Ov Sulfur are on the road this May for "The Show Me Your Goblin Tour.” The tour also features openers Brat and Exmortus trading off opening spots midway through the trek. The tour kicked off on May 8 in Roseville, CA and wraps back on June 13 in Los Angeles.
Melodic death metal of monstrous proportions, they claim to be the "Best Goblin Metal Band" (and/or maybe the only "Goblin Metal Band"). John Goblikon, the host of the Right Now Podcast, is the face behind the sung vocals with the screaming actually being delivered by Dickie Allen (also of Infant Annihilator). Sounds like a rock party, if we’ve ever heard of one.
SATURDAY MAY 17
Alison Krauss and Union Station w Willie Watson, May 17, Starlight, $40.50-$188.75
For the first time in nearly a decade and known for transcending boundaries of roots, country, rock 'n' roll and pop, the magical pairing of Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will be officially reuniting for a massive 73-date “Arcadia” tour, putting one of the most celebrated bluegrass and roots music groups back on the road again.
There is a new and long-awaited album “Arcadia” as well- the first in nearly 15 years and since 2011’s award-winning Paper Airplane. Russell Moore from the bluegrass band IIIrd Tyme Out has now joined the band as well, joining Ron Block (banjo, guitar, vocals), Barry Bales (bass, vocals), and of course bluegrass Hall of Famer and 14-time Grammy winner Jerry Douglas on dobro and vocals. Dan Tyminski looks to have left the group to instead focus on his solo ventures, which is a big loss.
“I’m so grateful to get to make music again with my comrades of 40 years,” said Krauss in a statement. “They’ve always accomplished incredible work individually and have been constantly traveling because of it. We’re very inspired to experience this new exciting chapter in the band’s history.”
Arrive early as opening the tour will be former founding member of Old Crow Medicine Show and singer-songwriter, poet, actor, and multi-instrumentalist Willie Watson who only recently after twenty years into his career, released his first-ever solo album of original material- Willie Watson is out everywhere via Little Operation Records (Thirty Tigers).
Steeldrivers, May 17, Knuckleheads, $35
Out on their spanning 20th anniversary tour, Grammy-winning quintet The SteelDrivers also are releasing a new album, Outrun, featuring lead single, ‘The River Knows’, on May 23rd on the legendary Sun Records imprint.
The album features the classic, blues-infused bluegrass sound the band has been known for, for two decades now, with stories and singalongs alike. Between bluegrass and the blues, another element of Outrun is their tribute to late founding member Mike Henderson who passed away in 2023.
SUNDAY MAY 18
Queensryche, May 18, Ameristar, $58-$132
“Can you hear it calling?” Veteran metal/prog band Queensryche returns to a local stage focusing on group's early releases, the 1983 self-titled EP and 1984's "The Warning" album. Singer Todd La Torre said in a statement: "We are thrilled to bring to you 'The Origins Tour'. This will be the first time in QUEENSRŸCHE's history that the EP and 'The Warning' will be performed live in their entirety. Join us for this unique and very special experience, as we celebrate the origins of QUEENSRŸCHE. Take hold!"
On their previous tour, QUEENSRŸCHE's set included no less than five songs from the band's sixteenth studio album, "Digital Noise Alliance", which came out in October 2022 via Century Media and welcomed back guitarist Mike Stone in 2021 after longtime guitarist Parker Lundgren was exiting the group to focus on "other business ventures."
The core trio of La Torre, guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson remains, so expect the classics as well as some of the new, in this decades-spanning performance.
Lissie w Madisen Ward, May 18, Warehouse on Broadway, $37.15
A Midwest favorite, folk singer-songwriter Lissie (Maurus) returns live, all the way from her farm in Iowa. Raised in Rock Island, IL, fans first fell in love with her on her five-song EP Why You Runnin', and follow-up full- length debut, Catching A Tiger was released in 2010.
Flash ahead a decade to 2020, when Lissie released her covers EP "Thank You To The Flowers", a collection of cover songs by female artists that she admires, which her other popular and diverse covers, including 'Go Your Own Way' and 'Dreams' by Fleetwood Mac,’ Bad Romance' by Lady Gaga, ‘Pursuit Of Happiness’ by Kid Cudi and 'Nothing Else Matters' by Metallica. Her fifth studio album, Carving Canyons, was released in September 2022.
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]
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