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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
St Pat’s may not be until the 17th, but plenty of acts are coming through town early, to make this year a veritable St. Patrick’s Week! Don your best green, belly up for some Guinness and corned beef, and make it a multi-night extravaganza, laddie!
Don’t forget to “spring forward” those clocks Saturday night and it’s Oscar Sunday to follow.
Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from March 9th-15th.
THURSDAY MARCH 9
Gaelic Storm & The High Kings, Kauffman Center, SOLD OUT
The High Kings are an acclaimed quartet of Irish folk song singers who exploded onto the Irish folk music scene in 2008. They also showcase their versatility and skills as multi-instrumentalists, playing 13 instruments between the four, bringing an acoustic flavor to brand new songs as well as old favorites.
Probably the torchbearers of US Irish Fairs and St Pat’s events, Gaelic Storm led by co-founders Steve Twigger, and Patrick Murphy) have continued to gain a stronger fan base after two decades and over 2000 shows. Their latest release is Go Climb a Tree, and features party drinking songs (“The Beer Song”), patriotic anthems (“Green, White and Orange”), folk songs (“Monday Morning Girl”), instrumentals (”The Night of Tomfoolery”), and even a pirate song (“Shanghai Kelly”). We caught them live last in St. Paul, MN, at where else, Irish Fair!
Chris D'Elia (comedian) The Midland, $34.50-$54.50
Out on his Don’t Push Me Tour, the comedian has put some past allegations in the rear view. He’s had his own podcast since 2017 and has three specials available on Netflix– No Pain (2020), Man on Fire (2017) and Incorrigible (2015), and is more recently, a father. His son, Calvin, was born in 2020.
Grand Funk Railroad, Prairie Band Casino-Mayetta, SOLD OUT
Celebrating over five decades, the legendary band comes along with an armful of hit songs everyone in the sold-out room will likely be singing along to including, “We’re an American Band”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Bad Time”, “The Locomotion” and “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”.
FRIDAY MARCH 10
Danú, Yardley Hall. $14-$42
For more than two decades, Danú’s virtuosi players on flute, tin whistle, fiddle, button accordion, bouzouki and vocals (Irish and English), playing a mix of ancient Irish music and new repertoire have charmed JCCC audiences and they’ve performed around the globe, recording seven acclaimed albums.
Danú takes its audiences on a musical journey to their native Ireland, offering a memorable concert experience. Their recordings are available on the Shanachie label, and an additional preshow dinner option is available at 6:30pm.
Maddie Zahm with corook, Encore at The Uptown, SOLD OUT
24-year-old Boise singer/songwriter Maddie Zahm is gaining buzz as her tour to support her debut EP You Might Not Like Her, which includes viral hit, “Fat Funny Friend” which exceeded over 75+ million streams, and is about her past trauma, sexuality, and personal relationship with her own body.
Arrive early for corook (aka Corinne Savage), a rising Pittsburgh area singer, songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist. An alum of the famous Berklee College of Music, graduating with two degrees and an ability to solve a Rubik’s cube in a minute or less on a good day. Debut EP, achoo! out now.
Kentucky Headhunters w Eskimo Brothers, Knuckleheads, $35
The longtime Southern rock band actually has their beginning roots from all the way back in 1968. Featuring Doug Phelps, Greg Martin, and brothers Richard Young and Fred Young, their latest full-length is 2021’s That’s a Fact, Jack! A knee-slappin’ good time for all.
Flogging Molly w Anti-Flag, Skinny Lister, VooDoo Lounge at Harrah's NKC, $44-$153
The LA kings of Celtic punk are out on a six-week trek supporting new album Anthem, which was produced by the legendary Steve Albini. The 11-track album is available now via Rise Records. Dave King and co. always make things entertaining and the band has even taken to the high seas over the last few years, hosting their own Salty Dog Cruises.
Support comes from Anti-Flag, who released their new album Lies They Tell Our Children in January via Spinefarm, and Skinny Lister, who’ll be supporting their latest album, A Matter Of Life & Love.
Donny Benet, recordBar, $18
Not your typical looking musician, the Sydney post-disco artist promises to “guide you through his tales of love, woe, self-deprecation and personal motivation”. Newest release is his Le Piano EP featuring an instrumental version of the title track.
Katie Toupin w Austin Plaine, Knuckleheads, $16
We’ve seen Indiana alt-country band Houndmouth several times live over the years, and fans will be happy to know Toupin has flourished since leaving the group five years ago, with her debut solo album, 2019’s Magnetic Moves, released to acclaim. Expect a healthy helping as well as a few old Houndmouth favorites peppered in for good measure.
SATURDAY MARCH 11
Buddy Guy w Eric Gales, Ally Venable, Uptown, $49-$122
You’re damn right he’s still got the blues! At 86 years-young, the Chicago blues legend is saying this is his final full tour (though hopefully he’ll still pick up a guitar at his Illinois club once in a while) and even has a new album to support, 2022’s The Blues Don’t Lie. He may move a bit slower, but his solos and stage presence can still leave you in absolute awe.
Arrive early for the support acts that shouldn’t be missed, including Eric Gales, a blues master in his own right. He lived in St. Paul briefly while in recovery, so were lucky enough to catch him when he gigged at very small venues, and Gales can play Hendrix maybe better than Jimi himself, playing a right-handed guitar upside-down. Latest album is 2022’s Crown.
Matt Nathanson, Madrid Theatre, $39.50
The Massachusetts native has a new record out, suitably titled Boston Accent, and always comes across with a relaxed and hilarious stage presence, he feels like an old friend or someone you could easily spend some time hanging out with. His pop culture and musical knowledge runs deep as well, never fearing from slipping in a Prince, Harry Styles or AC/DC cover into his setlist, which itself is filled with a handful of radio hits and storytelling charm.
poolblood, Farewell Cafe,PWYC
Toronto-based indie artist poolblood (aka Maryam Said) is out in support of recently released debut LP mole, which has turned heads at NPR, MTV, FADER, and more. Co-produced by Shamir and Louie Short, the record blends acoustic based songwriting with sludgy rock alongside baroque flourishes on singles, "voyager" + "wfy" + "my little room" + "shabby". Stopping on the way to SXSW in Austin, this one’s a bit under the radar, but you might just come away with your new favorite artist.
John McCutcheon, Polsky Theatre. $17-$35
The ageless Wisconsin folk singer and rustic instrumentalist, he’s a master of a dozen instruments, most notably the hammer dulcimer. His 30 recordings have garnered numerous honors, including seven Grammy Award nominations. He’s also produced more than 20 albums of other artists, from traditional fiddlers to contemporary singer-songwriters to educational and documentary works. Newest release is 2021’s Bucket List.
Oleta Adams, The Folly, $25- $35
Part of the Folly Jazz Series, this woman broke her chains years ago, and has forged a path of success all her own and is one of Kansas City’s treasures. She first gained national attention singing with Tears for Fears and the success of her 1990 Platinum debut album, Circle of One with hit single “Get Here” truly established her to a wide audience.
Adams has four GRAMMY® Award nominations and more than two and a half million records sold and in 2019, she was inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City. Arrive early for the Jazz Talk with Performers at 7:00pm (all ticket holders welcome).
Alter Bridge, Mammoth WVH, Pistols at Dawn, The Midland, $29.95-$55.
Two solid bands that are flying the flag for rock have joined forces for a formidable Pawns & Kings Tour. Florida’s Alter Bridge brings the muscle with guitar hero Mark Tremonti and singer Myles Kennedy (who doubles as Slash’s vocalist and who once successfully auditioned for Led Zeppelin). Their seventh album came out last October.
Mammoth WVH is in the finishing stages of completing their sophomore release, as a follow-up to their self-titled 2021 debut. They played their first proper gig together at a hush-hush radio-sponsored show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence (with proud mom Valerie Bertinelli watching from the wings) and we caught them live on last year’s mighty double-bill, alongside Dirty Honey.
War, (postponed from 2022), Ameristar Casino, $45-$60
The Long Beach funk, rock, and soul legends made good on their word to come back after some re-scheduling and will play top hits like "Why Can't We Be Friends," and "Low Rider”, so spill the wine and dig that girl.
Stanislav & Friends Annual Concert, Kauffman Center, $7.50-$50
Tchaikovsky’s first piano concert will be recreated by the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra featuring acclaimed pianist Stanislav Ioudentich, Founder and Artistic Director of Park International Center for Music. This annual performance will include “Flight of the Bumblebee” For Two Pianos, the KC premiere of “Canzona Matinata” from Broberg & Ioudenitch’s new album Songbird, and the grand finale to ICM’s 20th Anniversary Celebration.
SUNDAY MARCH 12
The Lemon Twigs w Slugbug, The Bottleneck- Lawrence, $22-$25
The Long Island brotherly indie duo are back on the road, after an absence and returning with brand-new full-length, Everything Harmony. We first caught them live early-on, opening at the small 7th St Entry in Minneapolis, and they’ve only grown bigger and popular with each release. The D’Arrario brothers played a handful of arena dates last fall with My Chemical Romance, but have returned to headlining the clubs, which is the best place to catch them.
Tanya Tucker, Knuckleheads, $58.50
The queen returns to the familiar stage at Knuckleheads, after a highly successful album (“While I’m Livin’”) and tour (which played Starlight last summer) with Brandi Carlile and their single, “Ready As I’ll Never Be”. With a few recent Grammy Awards and a new documentary about the comeback, it’s a great time to catch her onstage during this rebirth period. Abbey Cone to open.
Emmet Cohen, Lied Center. $14-$40
The multifaceted jazz pianist and composer and leader of the Emmet Cohen Trio is also the creator of the Masters Legacy Series. During the pandemic, he created Live From Emmet’s Place—a weekly livestream from his Harlem living room that received millions of views and often featured special guests. Cohen holds jazz piano degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Miami and has worked with Ron Carter, Benny Golson, Jimmy Cobb, George Coleman, Jimmy Heath, Tootie Heath, Houston Person, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, and many others.
The Wonder Years w Hot Mulligan, Carly Cosgrove, The Truman, $29.50-$60
The Philadelphia pop punk band has been around since 2005 and are back with seventh album, last September’s The Hum Goes on Forever and single, “Summer Clothes”.
MONDAY MARCH 13
Kenny G with the Kansas City Symphony March 13-15, Kauffman Center, $50-$104
The symphony features Gonzalo Farias, David T. Beals III Associate Conductor and Grammy Award®-winning saxophonist Kenny G is the top selling instrumental musician of our time (believe it or not). His smooth sounds will transport you to Havana and beyond. Hear “Songbird,” “Forever in Love,” “Heart and Soul,” “Silhouette” and “My Heart Will Go On”, embellished with lush arrangements and a swelling sound which will make you hear his songs, in an entirely different light.
TUESDAY MARCH 14
National Geographic Live Presents Mesoamerica Illuminated, Kauffman Center, $33.50-$68.50.
Featuring Diana Magaloni-Kerpel, Art Historian & Microarcheologist. Discover how the iconic Olmec heads of Mexico were created, explore the meaning behind the Teotihuacan pyramids and get a peek into the culture in the Mayan city of Chichen Itza. Join her as she brings ancient Mesoamerican civilizations to life in an informative and entertaining way. We’ve attended the NatGeo series previously in Minneapolis and always left more informed and with a greater understanding of our world.
Young Nudy, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$30
The ATL hip-hopper has a brand-new record, Gumbo, just out last week, and is also known for his Slimeball mixtapes and collabs with cousin 21 Savage.
Zach Williams, Uptown, SOLD OUT
A Hundred Highways Tour is long sold out.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 15
Underoath w Periphery, Loathe, Uptown, $36-$75.
The Tampa rockers just began their month-long Blind Obedience Tour, kicking off in Silver Spring, MD and wrapping April 2nd in Nashville. Latest release is 2022’s Voyeurist but even more new music is in the offing. The band is offering VIP Demo Listening Party packages that include a GA ticket, exclusive pre-show hangout with a demo listening party, a band Q&A, a photo with the band, and limited-edition merch.
“We’re working on new music (as always),” Underoath said in a collective statement. “Some songs are done. Some are close. Some have just gotten started… but we wanted to find a way to bring you inside that creative process. At every VIP meet and greet, we’re going to be having a listening party of unreleased music we’re currently working on as well as never before heard demos of songs you know well.”
The tour’s support lineup is also of note, with prog metallers Periphery and genre-bending UK act Loathe comprising a strong one-two punch of support. Periphery are coming off their 2019 album Periphery IV: Hail Stan, we caught them headlining back in Minneapolis in 2016.
Loathe reinvented themselves with their ambient-leaning 2021 effort The Things They Believe.
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