Open for business!
Concert season looks to be in full swing and it’s been especially great to see UK and international acts finally make it over, to play previously postponed dates.
The pandemic and recent deaths like Taylor Hawkins of Foo Fighters and Tom Parker of The Wanted should show us to try and see our favorite bands while we still can, instead of saying to “just wait for the next tour”.
Recent show announcements to the area include Sheryl Crow, Imagine Dragons, Halestorm/The Pretty Reckless, Courtney Barnett and The National, so start saving those pennies.
(Despite some health mandates loosening up, several artists are still requiring for entry, so check with the venue and/or better to assume vaccination proof and/or masks may be required)
Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence area for the First Week of APRIL:
04/06 Ben Folds at Liberty Hall
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Ministry w Melvins and Corrosion of Conformity, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, $39.50-$45
A solid triple-bill, headlined by the mighty industrial legends Ministry, with frontman Al Jourgenson still kicking it. Latest album is Moral Hygiene out last fall (on Nuclear Blast) and the first to feature Tool’s original bass player, Paul D’Amour.
Live, they may slip in a track or two from side projects 1000 Homo DJs and Pailhead as well and you might hear a Stooges and/or Red Kross cover this night too.
Ben Folds, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $45-$99
The piano frontman is out on his cheekily-named “In Actual Person Live for Real Tour” in a mix of solo piano and orchestral shows (St. Louis got the orch, Lawrence gets solo after the 2021 KC Symphony date was off). Folds is additionally working on a new album, has a successful podcast, Lightning Bugs, and is scheduled to start taping a TV series.
We remember seeing him way back in the mid-90’s on the first Ben Folds Five tour, and actually helped him load his piano into their small U-Haul trailer on a cold Kansas City night after their show at The Hurricane.
04/07 alt-J at Cable Dahmer Arena
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04/07 Lawrence at Granada
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alt-J w Portugal. The Man, Cherry Glazerr, Sir Chlor, Cable Dahmer Arena- Independence $53.50-$83.50
The London group is back with fourth album, The Dream, and a co-headlining Dream Tour, a decade after the breakout success of debut album, An Awesome Wave.
We’ve seen them live a handful of times, starting with that first US Tour in 2012 and have always been amazed by their loyal fan base. Their Halloween 2014 show performed in full Kiss makeup was especially fun.
We’re fans of Wasila, Alaska (since Portland-based) band Portugal.The Man as well (and despite their punctuation), having seen them last in 2016. Newest single is the Alfred E. Newman-inspired “What, Me Worry?” in addition to a streaming live album last year, and song collab with Weird Al, the year before.
Lawrence, Granada. $20
Lawrence...IN Lawrence?!- this is perfect! The eight-piece group (led by siblings Clyde and Gracie Lawrence) is actually from New York City, and plays mostly soul-pop music with some hints of funk, R&B, and rock and roll, and has had a recent hit with single, “Don’t Lose Sight”.
In concert, they’ve played Annie, Nickelodeon, Sean Paul, and NSYNC covers, so you know it will be a fun time. Hotel TV is their new and third album, out last summer.
Frank Caliendo (comedian), Prairie Band Casino- Mayetta, $45-$50
No one does a better and funnier John Madden impersonation.
The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band, Uptown. $35-$99
We last caught the veteran blues gunslinger live in 2013, when he played with Peter Frampton and Jeff Lukather. Expect to hear a good amount of tracks from 1997’s Trouble Is… as he and the KWS Band are celebrating its 25th anniversary.
Five Grammy nominations, nine #1’s on the Blues charts and two Billboard Awards speak to his still-growing legacy.
04/08 Grandson at Granada
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Grandson with Royal & The Serpent, Granada. $22
The Toronto alt-rap/rock singer-songwriter is getting even bigger after his 2020 debut album, Death of an Optimist. Since then, he’s also collab’ed with the likes of Tom Morello, Steve Aoki, Kesha, and Travis Barker, among many others.
Opening is aka Ryan Santiago who released a third EP in January and she also lent her vocals on the Gayle current smash radio hit, “ABCDEFU”.
Iliza Shlesinger(comedian), Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $35-$65
The Last Comic Standing winner has taped four Netflix specials and just released her second book is out on her “Back in Action” Tour.
Jantsen, Madrid. $25-$45
Expect the walls to shake - Boulder, CO DJ Jantsen has devised his signature sound over the past decade, drawing influences from across the musical spectrum to bring life into EDM bass music.
04/09 Girl Talk at The Truman
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04/09 The Greeting Committee at Uptown
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Girl Talk, The Truman. $25-$30
DJ and sample-obsessed producer (aka Gregg Gillis) and his computer are back on the road. Expect participation, sweaty dancing, and basically the entire audience on stage all dancing along.
Penny and Sparrow, recordBar, $22-$25
Olly Olly! This Alabama soft-folk duo hit the road to show off the musical yin/yang of their relationship. Sixth album title Finch, is a nod to Charles Darwin and the pair even have their own whiskey, Oak & Eden, so maybe a shot or two on stage.
Shooting Star, Ameristar, $20-$35
Hang On for your life tonight! The Midwest’s premier shoulda-been-huge classic rock band hits the casino stage for a setlist of hits and local radio favorites. Most of the original members have departed, but the new lineup injects some energy into forty-year old songs.
The Greeting Committee, Uptown. $25-$49.50
Hometown faves! The KC band is on the road supporting last September’s Dandelion, their second full-length and predictably has a large and loyal local fan base who will turn out for this theater show. Latest single is “Float Away” and that’s what the band hopes you’ll do, in musical bliss.
Buku, Aura Nightclub, $15
Pittsburgh EDM trap DJ spins
Snow Tha Product, Granada. $25
The alt-Latin hip hop/R&B star just started her Dale Gas Tour, with new album, Valemadre, expected out soon and expect hyper-fast raps, so try and keep up.
04/10 Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons at Kauffman Center
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04/10 Hayes Carll at Knuckleheads
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Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Kauffman Center. $35-$139
The Jersey Boy is 87 years young- you’re encouraged to see him while you can.
Soccer Mommy w Peel Dream Magazine, Granada- Lawrence, $22/$25
Her newest and third full-length album, Sometimes, Forever is due out until June 24, but that hasn't stopped Sophie Allison and band from hitting the road in advance-of. Expect a good preview of the new work live, including lead single, "Shotgun", and just maybe a Slowdive cover as well.
The uniquely named openers actually began as the nom de plume for Brooklyn's Joe Stevens, now LA-based. Latest full length is called Agitprop Alterna and there's been a Moral Panics EP recently as well.
Claudia Oshry, (comedian/author) Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $35-$69
Instagram personality aka GirlWithNoJob
Hayes Carll, Knuckleheads. $25
Alt-Americana rock singer is out with new album, You Get it All, and often draws similarities to Townes Van Zandt.
John Gorka, Lied Center. $16-$30
Contemporary folk artist with sixteen albums under his belt calls Minnesota his home, living just south of St. Paul.
The Texas Tenors, Yardley Hall. $15-$49
Classic/crossover/country trio with 2021 album, Outside the Lines, who are also three-time Emmy winners.
Keith Washington, Cherrelle, Howard Hewett and more, Memorial Hall. $50-$150
A night of ‘90s R&B classics with five artists on stage and music made for slow love and smooth nights.
| john ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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