W♥M

We♥KC! September 14-17, 2023 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More: Alice Cooper Rock icon Alice Cooper is bringing his incredibly live show to Mankato’s Vetter Stone Amphitheater this Friday, June 9th. We caught Cooper & Co earlier in December 2015 and said, “Alice Cooper shows …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

It’s still September (with thankfully cooler temps), but this weekend alone is so jammed with shows and events, it may as well be counted as part of Rocktober – we’ll waste no more time and get to the listings.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from September 14th-17th.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14

Indigenous, Knuckleheads, $17.50

A longtime upper Midwest Blues Rock band with front man, lead guitarist and vocalist Mato Nanji who has also been part of the Experience Hendrix Tour since 2002. He is also a big advocate for indigenous youth among other causes and this is the ideal KC venue for this band.

Beth Hart, Sept 14, Uptown, Postponed, Statement here: Sept. 2023 U.S. Tour To Be Rescheduled | Beth Hart

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15

Rob Zombie / Alice Cooper (feat Nita Strauss) w Ministry, Filter, Azura Amph,$39.50-$125

Rock’s greatest ghouls, Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper announced the 2023 Freaks on Parade Tour. Following a very successful run last summer, Zombie is at it again. This year he joins forces with the “godfather of Shock Rock” Alice Cooper who promises to bring his signature style of macabre rock.

Cooper has recently released 50^th anniversary vinyl editions of his classic albums, “Killer” and “School’s Out” (complete with replicas of the original inserts) and a CD/DVD live package called “Road”.

Rounding out this massive line-up are industrial pioneers Ministry and eclectic alternative rock act Filter, who not only played their first full show in nearby Lawrence, KS, but have a brand-new record just out called The Algorithm.

Barrence Whitfield and the Savages, recordBar, $40

At 68-years-young, the soul and R&B singer hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, born in 1955 (under real name Barry White, go figure) hits the road again.

Active from as far back as the 1970’s, he came to prominence in the following decades and has released a lengthy back-catalogue of LPs and singles, which are still hitting shelves to this day.

CupcakKe, The Madrid, $25-$50

Anyone that caught her upgraded previous area appearance at Liberty Hall in Lawrence, is probably still talking about that show. Aka Elizabeth Harris is a still-rising Chicago rapper, singer and songwriter. First earning attention after releasing her 2016 mixtape, she remains an indie artist. Not for the meek, expect some graphic lyrics and a promiscuous and sultry style which earned her most of her fame.

Great White / Slaughter, Kansas City Live!, $20-$70

Both bands emerged onto the rock scene in the 1980s. Great White is best known for the songs “Once Bitten Twice Shy” and “Rock Me.” Slaughter is best known for the songs “Fly To The Angels” and “Up All Night.”

Great White clocks in with over 10 million albums sold, six Top 100 Billboard hits, nine Top 200 Billboard albums, two platinum albums, and more. Ex-singer Jack Russell has his own version of the band, but the other originals still carry on- Mark Kendall (guitar), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards), Audie Desbrow (drums), Scott Snyder (bass), and new vocalist Brett Carlisle.

Dance Partners, Sept 15-16, JCCC Midwest Trust Center,$25+ ($5 students)

Audiences will delight as four new works premiere on the Yardley Hall stage. For the 10th festival of contemporary and modern dance, the Midwest Trust Center has enlisted four choreographers to create original works for four local dance companies to perform at the world premieres. Each new work will then be owned by the dance company for two years for use in their own programs. The first installment will be The Kansas City Ballet, working with Gina Patterson.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16

Charles Wesley Godwin, The Truman, $25-$50

The native of West Virginia makes cinematic country-folk that's as gorgeous and raw as his Appalachian homeland. With 2021's “How the Mighty Fall,” he trades the autobiographical lyrics that filled “Seneca” — his acclaimed debut, released in 2019 - for a collection of character-driven songs about mortality, hope, and regret, putting a spin on the universal concerns we all share.

John Mark McMillan, Encore at Uptown, $27

Tall Tales Tour: An Acoustic Night of Song and Story.

John Mark McMillan is something of an anomaly: an artist and Platinum-selling songwriter bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and an eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it’s his ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.

Prof, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$30

We know him well from our Twin Cities base – the Minneapolis-based hip hop artist is bringing The Workhorse Tour to town. Known for his larger-than-life stage presence and wildly fun shows filled with plenty of crowd interaction.

In 2021, Prof released Live From Powderhorn Suites and last year he released a plethora of singles including “Devils Gate” ft. Kevin Gates, “Big Hungry Monster,” “Louisiana,” and “Vulnerable God.” Most recently, he released the single “Pack a Lunch” ft. Redman, ahead of his seventh studio album, Horse, out now on his own Stophouse Music Group.

Support From: Cashinova, J. Plaza, Willie Wonka, C Dot Castro

Juicy J, T-Mobile Center, $60-$200

Puff, puff, pass- Introducing the Second Annual Major Cannabis Expo to be held at T-Mobile Center. The expo takes place from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. followed by an after-party with live performances. Doors to the after-party concert open at 7 p.m. and the concert featuring Juicy-J starts at 8 p.m. Support from That Mexican OT, Dwalk, KC Young Boss, Roblo Dabstar.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Knuckleheads, SOLD OUT (see below for 2nd show)

Travis Tritt, Ameristar Casino, $70-$88

Tritt has amassed more than 30 million in career album sales, two GRAMMY® Awards, four CMA Awards, a Billboard Music Award, is a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, and much more.

Among his eleven studio albums and numerous charted singles are five number ones and 20 Top 10 hits, including “Help Me Hold On,” “Anymore,” “Can I Trust You with My Heart,” “Foolish Pride,” “Best of Intentions,” “I’m Gonna Be Somebody,” “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde,” “Here’s A Quarter,” “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.”

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17

Dave Chappelle (comedy), T-Mobile Center,$59.50-$249.50

The veteran comedian has announced the dates for a fall stand-up comedy tour, titled “Dave Chappelle Live,” and is playing the T-Mobile Center in KC for the first time.

Chappelle has been a controversial figure following his 2021 Netflix special “The Closer,” in which he made jokes about transgender people, leading to company walkouts and protests last October.

Look for a pull-no-punches set that is observational humor on common and taboo subjects, and don’t expect phone use in the arena, as he usually requires those to be locked up in secure bags to prevent selfies, piracy and distractions.

Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Knuckleheads, $25 (outdoors)

One of Willie Nelson’s sons and his band has very much come into his own, after backing Neil Young and others for so long, while cultivating their own career and recordings. The latest is Sticks and Stones (on Thirty Tigers Records), which came out in July and the follow up to A Few Stars Apart, but fans know the live element is where the band really shines.

Corey Feldman, Sept 17, Lemonade Park,$31.16

Actor/musician and “Lost Boy” Corey Feldman is hitting the road again. This will be Feldman’s final round of US dates on his LOVE ReTours (tour) before taking his successful live show overseas for the very first time. Corey and his band, which includes his wife Courtney and actor/musician Bentley Mitchum, will be playing even bigger and better venues than last time and the tour is aptly titled LOVE ReTours 23.

Fans can expect to hear music from Corey’s latest album “Love Left 2: Arm Me With Love” along with favorites such as “Go 4 It” and “Ascension Millennium”. As always, Corey and his band will also play songs from the soundtracks of his classic films.

Bright Light Social Hour, Encore at Uptown, $18

The Austin, TX-based indie psychedelic band kick off spring with new single “Not New” ahead of their new and fourth album, Emergency Leisure, out last month via Escondido Sound.

Founded by Jackie O’Brien (bass/vocals) and Curtis Roush (guitar/vocals) – and newly joined by Mia Carruthers (keys/vocals), Zac Catanzaro (drums) and Juan Alfredo Ríos (percussion) – the band’s sound melds Texas trippiness with irresistible disco-punk groove.

Peelander-Z, Dog Party, The Nature Boys, recordBar, $23.23

Our E-I-C writes:” Our favorite Japanese superhero band is back in town to celebrate their 25th Anniversary of the band. They’re calling it “P-Party! Z-Party!”.

If you’ve never seen a Peelander-Z show, do yourself a favor and check them out. They are one of the most interesting looking and creative bands you’ll ever see. And when you’re at the show, I can guarantee you that you’ll be singing (and possibly playing pots or drums) with the band.”

Cyrano de Bergerac, KC Rep (Spencer Theatre), Through Sept 24, $35-$79

Ongoing- see our write up of the production here: Cyrano de Bergerac (KC Rep) at Spencer Theatre (UMKC), Kansas City MO Sept 5-24, 2023 - W♥M (typepad.com)

Opening their 60^th Anniversary season with a bang (and Asian-featured cast/director!), the classic love triangle tale of a genius with language, Cyrano secretly loves the radiant Roxane, but she loves the beautiful-but-inarticulate Christian. Convinced of his own ugliness, Cyrano offers to act as go-between, setting in motion a poignant and hilarious love triangle in which each character is torn between the lure of physical attraction and the seductive power of words.

Written by Edmond Rostand and freely adapted by Martin Crimp, direction is provided by Associate Artistic Director Nelson T. Eusebio III, and runs 2hr 15min, with an intermission. The production features smoke, haze, and strobe lights, simulations of war with swords, prop guns, and sounds of war with strong language. For ages 14 and up.

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

John Grant and Bright Light Bright Light at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (22 October 2015)

John Grant Setlist Down Here Grey Tickles, Black Pressure Geraldine Snug Slacks You And Him Guess How I Know Disappointing Glacier Queen of Denmark GMF Voodoo Doll -- Encore -- Marz Drug (The Czars song) Sigourney Weaver Fireflies Bright Light Bright Light Setlist Everything I Ever Wanted (?) More Than Most An Open Heart (?) I Wish We Were Leaving New Song Feel It Tour Dates 10/24/15 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre 10/27/15 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour 10/29/15 San Francisco, CA Independent 10/30/15 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge 11/04/15 Iceland Airwaves 11/09/15 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street 11/10/15 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street 11/12/15 London Eventim Apollo 11/15/15 Festival Les Inrocks Philips 11/17/15 Brussels Orangerie 11/18/15 Amsterdam Melkweg 11/20/15 Luxembourg Den Atelier 11/21/15 Zurich Kaufleutensaal 11/22/15 Milan, Italy Fabrique 11/24/15 Cologne Bürgerhaus Stollwerck 11/25/15 Hamburg Uebel & Gefährlich 11/29/15 Copenhagen VEGA House Of Music 12/01/15 Goteborg Pusterviksbaren 12/02/15 Stockholm Sodra Teatern 12/04/15 Oslo, Norway Cosmopolite 12/05/15 Bergen, Norway Logen Teater Read More John Grant You remember John Grant, we previously mentioned that he has a new record called Pale Green Ghosts coming out May 14th on Partisan Records. ... Bright Light Bright Light Rod Thomas, otherwise known as Bright Light Bright Light, released his debut album, Make Me Believe in Hope, last month via The Blue Team/Aztec Records Ltd. ...

The love between audience and stage was palpable last night at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis as stellar Welsh singer/songwriter Rod Thomas’ electro-pop project Bright Light Bright Light and Midwest-born, current-Iceland-resident John Grant hit some raw emotional peaks and valleys with their music.

Bright Light Bright Light

Bright Light Bright Light released Life is Easy over a year ago but continues to bring Thomas fervent praise with such publications as The Guardian commending the songwriter’s ability to create danceable music with a heartfelt core. Thomas normally brings his music to life on stage with the help from other musicians, but last evening fans were treated to a remarkable stripped-down solo set: Thomas performed songs from his debut Make Me Believe In Hope and Life is Easy with nothing but his keyboard and his angelic vocals.

Before launching into “Everything I Ever Wanted,” Thomas expressed his affinity for the Twin Cities and its music, especially Prince! To my delight, Thomas didn’t shy away from a little stage banter. He was very down-to-earth and open, telling the crowd of the small, gloomy mining town where he’s from, his decision to leave his hometown for New York City and how, being an only child, he felt guilty for not visiting his parents enough (“In Your Care” was written for them - if you check out the video for the song, let me just warn you: you will probably cry) This explicit honesty is all over his lyrics and it's what I love most about BLBL. Sure, much of BLBL’s output have an underlying melancholy (Thomas promised mid-way through the set that the songs would become “gradually happier”) and there are plenty of songs about doomed romance. Ultimately, however, I see BLBL’s music as more a gentle push toward better things. As beautiful songs like “More Than Most” and “An Open Heart” can attest, Thomas is working through his turmoil and choosing a life perspective rooted in gratitude and hope.

And if you weren’t paying attention to what Thomas was saying, it was probably because you were absorbed by the man’s serious pipes. A voice so powerful and emotive, it’s garnered more than a few famous fans: Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys and Elton John. In fact, John hand-picked BLBL to tour with him after hearing Make Me Believe In Hope (a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that still clearly shocks Thomas, calling the experience “f*cking bonkers!”). In turn, BLBL tapped John to duet with him on “I Wish We Were Leaving,” a catchy and clear-eyed take on the end of a relationship that, live, transformed into something gut-wrenchingly sad.

The final tune of the BLBL’s set was “Feel It” from the debut and Thomas explained that it was written about tragic Twin Peaks character Laura Palmer’s diary. In the recording of the song Thomas sampled Palmer’s scream and used it as a drum beat which is just plain awesome.

In my humble opinion, John Grant is up there with other lauded artists like Bob Dylan or Patti Smith; a brilliant lyrical master who funnels dry and witty observations about love, mortality and Dairy Queen through his rich baritone and coats it with dreamy and dark chamber-pop and white-hot disco. He played these drop-dead gorgeous piano compositions (“Queen of Denmark,” “Fireflies”) and then hopped to his feet to move playfully around for funky dance numbers like “Geraldine” and “You and Him.” Sometimes he got help from the audience as during the crazy-fun set closer “Voodoo Doll” when one fan could not sit still any longer (did I mention it was a seated show?) and climbed on stage to boogie with Grant. Why didn’t I think of that?

Grant’s band definitely did not contain any slouches: on keys was Chris Pemberton, Pétur Hallgrímsson rocked the guitar, Jakob Smari Magnusson provided bass and on drums, the great Peter Edward Clarke otherwise known as Budgie, former drummer for Siouxsie and the Banshees who destroyed it on songs like “Queen of Denmark” (which features the best opening line in the history of popular music: “I wanted to change the world but I couldn’t even change my underwear.”)

Touring behind his critically acclaimed new album Grey Tickles, Black Pressure and drawing from two other outstanding albums (2010’s Queen of Denmark and 2013’s Pale Green Ghosts), the setlist was loaded with great songs. One of my favorites, “Glacier” from Pale Green Ghosts, is a nearly 8-minute piano-driven battlecry in the face of fear and cruelty, containing the lyrics: “Don't listen to anyone; get answers on your own/Even if it means that sometimes you feel quite alone/No one on this planet can tell you what to believe/People like to talk a lot, and they like to deceive.” Another gem of the evening was “GMF,” which he dedicated to the crowd: “You think I hate myself, it’s you I hate/because you have the nerve to make me feel.”

Grant graciously thanked the Cedar and the beaming fans filling the space before the band encored with four songs that included “Marz,” “Sigourney Weaver” and the haunting “Fireflies.”

Like Thomas, John Grant radiates a warmth and sweetness that instantly puts everyone at ease. He put his all into every swelling chorus and thoughtful hum and traded sly grins with the folks in the front row. As a performer, as a songwriter, he’s simply unmatched.

John Grant at Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis (22 October 2015)

emily ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic

Rocktober: October 21 - October 22, 2015

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from October 21 to October 22, 2015.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Kurt Vile Kurt Vile and the Violators hit the stage and whipped out a cover of The Feelies “For Awhile” to kick things off. Vile, founding member of indie band The War on Drugs, and his band of skinny ... Waxahatchee Recently White Lung's Mish Way joined Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee in New York's Lower East Side to bring us two memorable acoustic versions ...

KURT VILE
at Mill City Nights
Wednesday, 10/21/2015, 8pm ($23)
millcitynights.com

Kurt Vile is back on tour, in support of his latest b'lieve i'm goin down.

Waxahatchee and Luke Roberts to open.

Tour dates:

10/16/15 San Francisco, CA The Fillmore
10/17/15 Portland, OR McMenamins Crystal
10/18/15 Seattle, WA The Showbox
10/21/15 Minneapolis, MN Mill City Nights
10/22/15 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
10/23/15 Chicago, IL Thalia Hall
10/24/15 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall
10/25/15 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre
10/30/15 Pitchfork Music Festival Paris
10/31/15 London Calling
11/01/15 Brussels Ancienne Belgique
11/03/15 Hamburg Uebel & Gefährlich
11/04/15 Aarhus Fonden VoxHall
11/05/15 Oslo Rockefeller Music Hall
11/06/15 Stockholm Munchenbryggeriet
11/07/15 Copenhagen Amager Bio
11/09/15 Berlin, Germany Posthof
11/10/15 Cologne, Germany Gebaude 9
11/11/15 Brighton Concorde 2
11/12/15 London Electric Ballroom
11/13/15 Bristol Motion Bristol
11/15/15 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street
11/16/15 Glasgow, United Kingdom ABC1
11/17/15 Leeds, United Kingdom Stylus
11/18/15 Manchester O2 Ritz Manchester
11/20/15 Lucerne, Switzerland Südpol
11/21/15 Feyzin, France L'Epicerie Moderne
11/22/15 Barcelona, Spain La de Apolo
11/23/15 Madrid, Spain Penelope
11/24/15 Lisbon, Portugal Armazém F
12/30/15 Falls Music (Marion Bay)
01/01/16 Falls Music (Byron Bay)
01/03/16 Melbourne Forum Melbourne
01/07/16 Sydney Concert Hall
01/09/16 Southbound Festival
03/10/16 London Roundhouse
03/11/16 Hove All Saints Church

Read More Grace Potter Vermont's Grace Potter and the Nocturnals was headliner for the main stage. The thing about Grace Potter's vocals and singing style, is that she is often compared to Janis Joplin ...

GRACE POTTER
at State Theatre
Thursday, 10/22/2015, 8pm ($30)
hennepintheatretrust.org

Grace Potter is back in town, this time in support of her debut solo album Midnight (Hollywood Records).

We previously caught Potter, billed as Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at Basilica Block Party 2013 and noted that it's all about "she is often compared to Janis Joplin or even Tina Turner."

Expect to hear plenty of orchestral-inspired songs from her latest Midnight.

Rayland Baxter listed to open. He'll likely be playing some tracks from his new album Imaginary Man, out now on ATO Records.

Tour dates:

10/17/15 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
10/18/15 American Roots Music
10/21/15 Kansas City, MO Uptown Theater
10/22/15 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
10/23/15 Chicago, IL Chicago Theatre
10/24/15 Madison, WI Barrymore Theatre
10/25/15 Kalamazoo, MI Kalamazoo State Theatre
10/28/15 Syracuse, NY Landmark Theatre
10/29/15 Albany, NY Palace Theatre
10/30/15 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
10/31/15 Boston, MA Orpheum Theatre
11/05/15 Norfolk, VA The NorVa
11/06/15 Charlotte, NC Fillmore Charlotte
11/07/15 Savannah, GA Trustees Theater
03/25/16 "Bluesfest" (Byron Bay, AUS)
03/26/16 "Bluesfest" (Byron Bay, AUS)

Read More John Grant You remember John Grant, we previously mentioned that he has a new record called Pale Green Ghosts coming out May 14th on Partisan Records. ... Bright Light Bright Light Rod Thomas, otherwise known as Bright Light Bright Light, released his debut album, Make Me Believe in Hope, last month via The Blue Team/Aztec Records Ltd. ...

JOHN GRANT
at Cedar Cultural Center
Thursday, 10/22/2015, 7pm ($20)
thecedar.org

Former Czars frontman John Grant is headlining the Cedar Cultural Center this Thursday, October 22nd.

Bright Light Bright Light (aka Rod Thomas) will open the show. BLBL's latest Life Is Easy is out now on Red Distribution. We previously wrote about BLBL's debut album Make Me Believe in Hope in 2012 (The Blue Team/Aztec Records Ltd).

Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, and Elton John have all endorsed BLBL, so show up early to find out why.

John Grant tour dates:

10/17/15 New York, NY Le Poisson Rouge
10/19/15 Toronto, ON Mod Club
10/21/15 Chicago, IL Martyrs'
10/22/15 Minneapolis, MN Cedar
10/24/15 Boulder, CO Fox Theatre
10/27/15 West Hollywood, CA Troubadour
10/29/15 San Francisco, CA Independent
10/30/15 Portland, OR Doug Fir Lounge
11/04/15 Iceland Airwaves
11/09/15 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street
11/10/15 Dublin, Ireland Vicar Street
11/12/15 London Eventim Apollo
11/15/15 Festival Les Inrocks Philips
11/17/15 Brussels Orangerie
11/18/15 Amsterdam Melkweg
11/20/15 Luxembourg Den Atelier
11/21/15 Zurich Kaufleutensaal
11/22/15 Milan, Italy Fabrique
11/24/15 Cologne Bürgerhaus Stollwerck
11/25/15 Hamburg Uebel & Gefährlich
11/29/15 Copenhagen VEGA House Of Music
12/01/15 Goteborg Pusterviksbaren
12/02/15 Stockholm Sodra Teatern
12/04/15 Oslo, Norway Cosmopolite
12/05/15 Bergen, Norway Logen Teater

vu ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ itunes.apple.com

Always look on the bright side of life

Read More Red Wanting Blue Red Wanting Blue (or simply RWB) was on my radar in 2010 with their re-issue of These Magnificent Miles…

"You know, you come from nothing,
you're going back to nothing!
What have you lost? Nothing!
Always look on the bright side of life."

- Monty Python

RED WANTING BLUE
redwantingblue.com

I'm glad to see that Red Wanting Blue made their national television debut on David Letterman last week! Check out their performance of "Audition" on youtube.

If you want to hear more RWB, hear "Stay On The Bright Side," from their latest album, From The Vanishing Point, on soundcloud.

If you recall, I mentioned that the band's been on my watch list since 2010 for These Magnificent Miles, and felt that RWB's music would favor a large festival. The band has been selling out their shows (recently selling out the 1400-capacity House of Blues in Cleveland), so be sure to get tickets sooner than later.

07/26 Kearney, NE @ Buffalo County Fair 07/27 Washington, MO @ Otis Campbells 08/09 Kearney, NE @ Cunningham's 08/10 Kearney, NE @ Cunningham's 08/16 Indianapolis, IN @ The Rathskeller 08/17 Akron, OH @ Musica 08/18 Deshler, OH @ Corn City Festival 08/22 Rochester, NY @ The Bug Jar 08/24 Red Bank, NJ @ Riverside Gardens Park 08/25 Buffalo, NY @ Jammin In The Vines III 08/26 Elkins, WV @ Davis & Elkins College 09/01 Bloomington, IL @ Block Party 09/06 New Philadelphia, OH @ Kent State 09/09 Dayton, OH @ Downtown Dayton Revival 09/13 Kalamazoo, MI @ Bell's Brewery 09/16 Des Plaines, IL @ Fall Fest Des Plaines 09/18 Urbana, IL @ Canopy Club 09/20 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club 09/21 Iowa City, IA @ Blue Moose 09/22 Madison, WI @ Redamte Coffee House 09/23 Ames, IA @ M-Shop

09/25 Tulsa, OK @ Cain's 09/27 Austin, TX @ Stubb's Jr. 09/28 Dallas, TX @ House of Blues 09/29 Houston, TX @ House of Blues 09/30 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues 10/03 Nashville, TN @ Hard Rock Cafe 10/04 Raleigh, NC @ Pour House 10/05 Ashville, NC @ LAB 10/06 Greenwood, SC @ Music On Maxwell 10/10 Boston, MA @ TT The Bear's 10/11 Philadelphia, PA @ World Cafe Live 10/13 Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java 10/14 Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saint 10/17 Detroit, MI @ Hard Rock Cafe 10/19 Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection 10/20 Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finn's 10/25 Milwaukee, WI @ Shank Hall 10/26 Evanston, IL @ SPACE 10/27 St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill 11/02 Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall 11/09 Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues

Read More Meiko Did you happen to catch the beautiful Meiko on Jay Leno a few weeks ago? You can see her on her myspace video.

MEIKO
meikomusic.com

I know I just recently mentioned Meiko, but at the time of writing, her final touring schedule was not finalized.

Official tour dates below; this is in support of the release of The Bright Side, out now via Fantasy/Concord Records.

07/27 Tulsa, OK Vanguard
07/28 Kansas City, MO Retro Lounge
07/29 Little Rock, AR Juanita’s Cantina
08/01 Pittsburgh, PA Club Café
08/02 New York, NY The Living Room
08/03 Vienna, VA Jammin’ Java
08/05 Ann Arbor, MI The Ark
08/07 Cleveland, OH Cambridge Room
08/08 Chicago, IL Lincoln Hall
08/10 Minneapolis, MN 7th Street Entry
08/11 Lincoln, NE Bourbon Theatre
08/13 Denver, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre
08/14 Aspen, CO Belly Up
08/16 Tucson, AZ Club Congress
08/17 Las Vegas, NV Hard Rock Café
08/18 Palm Desert, CA The Hood
08/19 Hermosa Beach, CA Saint Rocke

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT
brightlightx2.blogspot.com

Rod Thomas, otherwise known as Bright Light Bright Light, released his debut album, Make Me Believe in Hope, last month via The Blue Team/Aztec Records Ltd.

If you live in New York, Bright Light Bright Light will be doing a special intimate acoustic showcase at Pianos on August 2, 2012.

Find out why Q Magazine called his album, "positively ecstatic (four stars)" and Idolator saying it's "one of the strongest debuts of 2012."

More dates:

08/01 Good Times (DJ Set) @ Eastern Bloc, NYC
08/02 Pianos @ NYC
08/04 Another Night (DJ Set) @ Vogue Fabrics, London
09/01 Cardiff Mardi Gras [Full Band]
09/02 Poptronik Festival @ Sitges, Spain
10/30 Cargo London

BRITE FUTURES
britefuturesforever.com

Brite Futures' future not so bright? The band announced their breakup in May and played their last show at the Seattle's Vera Project in June.

Not familiar with Brite Futures? The band was previously known as Natalie Portman's Shaved Head (a reference to V for Vendetta), but changed their name in 2010. I can only speculate that Portman and her lawyers had something to do with the name change.

Anyway, here is an excerpt of their press statement:

It is with many bittersweet feelings that we announce that as of next month Brite Futures will cease to be an active band, and we will no longer be creating or playing music together. After almost seven years as a band (more than a quarter of our lives) we've unanimously reached the decision that it's time to move on to other adventures-the irony of which, for a band with our name, is not lost on us. This separation is not due to a falling out or any ill feelings between us personally, but with the band's momentum dying down and other aspirations beckoning, we've begun to look toward the next stage in our lives. And that's exciting at the same time as it's sad to leave behind a pursuit that saw us grow up together, from awkward high school spazzes singing about our first beards to more confident young adults.

vu () ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ podcast.weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com/weheartmusic ♥ +W♥M