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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
After some relief last week, looks like the summer heat is making a return, so keep hydrated!
Like anyone else that tried, we were amazed at Ticketmaster’s dynamic ticket prices for the Bruce Springsteen presale (cheapest floor tix we found were $825!) so are hoping prices come down before next Feb.
This week, Starlight Theater looks like the place to be, with several outstanding shows to add to their already-strong season. Many other good shows and The Breakaway Music Fest is taking place out in Bonner Springs while the Innovation Festival this coming weekend at Crown Center had to pivot after headliner Black Pumas had to cancel.
Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro August 1st – 7th
(Several artists are still requiring precautions for entry, so check with the venue and/or assume vaccination proof, might still be required)
Monday Aug 1
Goo Goo Dolls, Starlight. $18.75-$249.50
Like so many tours, the four-time GRAMMY® nominated band (led by Johnny Rzeznik and Robby Takac) has had to delay for two years, but recent album, Miracle Pill (via Warner Records) has kept fans happy with new music. We last caught Johnny solo, strumming acoustically on the front of a docked boat back in 2016. Expect all their hits live as well as a Tom Petty cover, they’ve been ending shows with.
“I hope you’re happy” that veteran band Blue October opens the evening, with a double release due out soon- the first half in the fall and second album out next Spring. We last caught them live at First Avenue in 2019. In the meantime, “Spinning the Truth Around” is the newest single release.
Anthrax, Black Label Society w Hatebreed, Arvest Bank at The Midland, $39.50-$79.50
A veteran and hard-hitting triple bill we hope you’ve “got the time” for- Anthrax is belatedly celebrating its 40th anniversary a year late (thanks Covid) and is playing all their familiar songs, including their distinctive covers of “Antisocial” and “Bring the Noise”. We caught them live in 2018 as part of Slayer’s final tour.
Black Label Society is led by the mighty Zakk Wylde on guitar and vocals, in support of last year’s Doom Crew, inc. album. We caught his side project, Zakk Sabbath back in 2016 are were completely knocked out.
Hatebreed is out in support of 2020’s Weight of the False Self and is still bringing their heavy sound.
Pat Benatar, Neil Geraldo, Uptown, $29-$125
to see this classic husband/wife team on their De Novo Tour to hear their four decades of hits (with a few covers peppered in) … except for huge song “Hit me with your Best Shot” which the duo has retired as a statement against gun violence.
Kingdom Knights Tour feat Kirk Franklin, Maverick City Music, Tamela Mann, T-Mobile Center, $41.50-$101.50
GRAMMY Award-winning gospel group Maverick City Music and 16-time GRAMMY winner Kirk Franklin are bringing the injustices around mass incarceration while making a joyful noise on this tour, in support of joint album KINGDOM Book One (via Tribl Records/Fo Yo Soul Entertainment/RCA Inspiration.)
Wednesday Aug 3
G Love, recordBar, $20
The Philly trio continues to play their unique blend of alternative, hip-hop, and blues, in support of the just released Philadelphia Mississippi album, out last month. Live, they still play the old hits like “Cold Beverage”. Local folk/blues artist Clay Hughes to open.
Texas Gentlemen, Knuckleheads, $12
Pop on Floor It!!! is the second full-length effort from the Texas Gentlemen, who play a blend of brass-fueled Dixieland jazz to country funk to orchestrated pop-soul balladry, and more, with two featured co-singers.
Escher String Quartet, Polsky Theatre, $5 (student)- $10
Appearing as part of the Heartland Chamber Music Festival, the NYC quartet has performed at the BBC Proms at Cadogan Hall and is a regular guest at Wigmore Hall. Escher is one of five quartets chosen to collaborate in a complete presentation of Beethoven’s string quartets and last season, the quartet toured China.
Thursday Aug 4
Priscilla Block, Power and Light District, Free
Up and coming country star with single, “My Bar” out now, and full-length, Welcome to the Block Party, which sounds like a perfect soundtrack for this outdoor downtown show.
Dana Gould Comedy Club of KC CANCELED (Joe Machi is now appearing Aug 4-6)
Friday Aug 5
OneRepublic with Needtobreathe, Starlight. $39.50-$149.50
Ryan Tedder and GRAMMY® nominated OneRepublic is out on their Never Ending Summer Tour and their 40-city stop includes this local show. Most recent album was 2021’s Human but the band is currently riding high with single, “I Ain’t Worried” from the Top Gun soundtrack.
NeedtoBreathe is a passionate South Carolina band we covered for several years, seeing them last in 2017 as part of the Basilica Block Party in Minneapolis. Latest album is their eighth studio release, last year’s Into the Mystery.
Arrive early for rising 19-year-old singer-songwriter Brynn Cartelli, whose latest single, “Girl Code” is out this Friday.
Flatland Cavalry, The Truman. $24-$44
Country/folk/Americana band from Lubbock, TX out in support of last year’s Welcome to Countryland.
Breakaway Music Fest feat The Chainsmokers, Illenium, Alison Wonderland, Cordae, Aug 5-6, Azura Amph, $99-$909
Get out those glow sticks and rave accessorizes for this two-day electronic extravaganza headlined by hit makers The Chainsmokers, who we briefly caught in 2019 as part of NCAA March Madness in Minneapolis.
Beats and bass were throbbing then as we remember and outdoors at Azura, the fest also features Denver’s Illenium (aka producer/DJ Nick Miller), Alison Wonderland and many more on this first stop of only five this season, promising a mix of music, art, and creativity.
The Dead South w/Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band & Tejon Street Corner Thieves, GrindersKC. $30-$75
Regina, Canada folk/bluegrass collective out in support of their double EPs of covers, Easy Listening for Jerks, Pts 1 & 2, which feature songs by The Doors, Misfits, and Cold War Kids among others.
Saturday Aug 6
The Greeting Committee, Regrettes, more -Innovation Festival, Crown Center, Free
So, the bad news is that Black Pumas had canceled several weeks of recent shows, including Kansas City, but the good news is that organizers and their sponsors and marketers regrouped to make the festival now free!
Organized by BioKansas, this first Innovation Festival is a three-day regional convergence of music and innovation, featuring two scientific conferences, and a music and innovation day (with beer!).
Among the many activities and artists, we’re excited to still see LA garage punk group Regrettes still on the bill, in support of third album, Further Joy, which came out in April. Live, they’ve been working in a Lily Allen cover of late.
Ted Nugent, Ameristar. $60-$240
The Motor City Madman! Nugent's no-holds-barred career spans five decades including new album Detroit Muscle and classic hits including "Stranglehold," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Wango Tango," and "Free-For-All.” No word on whether or not the bow and arrow will make an appearance during the show.
Remember Jones,recordBar, $12
Described as a a one-of-a-kind soul/pop singer, storyteller and bandleader with a throwback vibe and authentic energy, with new album Haha, Bitch! out now. Züs to open.
Bonnie Raitt with Mavis Staples, Starlight. $30.50-$100.50
The veteran blues singer/songwriter/guitarist returns with a new album and tour called Just Like That…, that will no doubt, be “something to talk about.” Raitt is appearing with very special guest Mavis Staples, who also shows a fall solo date in Lawrence later in the year.
In conjunction with The Guacamole Fund and Raitt's Green Highway campaign, one dollar from every ticket purchased will be donated to grassroots local, regional, and national organizations whose work focuses on safe and sustainable energy, social justice, human rights, environmental protection, and blues/music education.
David Nail, David Lee Murphy and Josh Abbott Band, Kansas City Live! $20
Missouri-born country singer David Nail returns close to home, in support of last year’s Bootheel 2021 EP
Sunday Aug 7
David Gray, Starlight. $45-$125
This delayed tour finds the singer-songwriter celebrating the 20th anniversary of his seminal and breakout album White Ladder, playing it live in its entirety. Originally self-released in 1998, it very gradually found its audience once it was re-released in 2000 on ATO Records. It reached No.1 on the UK album charts in 2001 and tracks like "Babylon," "Please Forgive Me" and "Sail Away" cemented themselves firmly on radio playlists.
Band of Heathens w Dalton Domino, Knuckleheads,
The acclaimed Austin, TX Americana band has a brand-new album, Remote Transmissions Vol 1, just out. Live, they’ve recently worked in Gillian Welch, Levon Helm, and even a Rolling Stones cover.
Memphis-born Red Dirt country artist Dalton Domino listed to open and has a new single out- “Rock and Roll Should Kill You”, just one of his Songs from the Exile.
Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow,Granada. $21
The world's largest touring Rock N Roll Circus Sideshow Thrillshow is named after a successful Broadway musical and movie of the late ‘30s/early ‘40s and features death defying stunts having performed over 3000 shows and in 16 countries.
Reina del Cid w Kat King, recordBar, $18
aka Rachel Cordova used to be Minneapolis-based (we caught them live on the local stage at 2018’s Basilica Block Party) but pulled up stakes for Los Angeles and the folk-rock band has new single, “1970” out from their Candy Apple Red release.
Local opener Kat King got lots of airplay from local station The Bridge with last year’s single “Don’t Wanna Lose” off album, Say What You Mean.
| john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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