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We♥KC! January 18-25, 2024- Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More: Elvis Costello I've seen Elvis Costello at the Berkeley Theater before. I was there to cover Sleeper, the opening band. We had pretty awful seats, I had brought some friends along.

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

So, 2024 has started very chilly (to say the least,brrr!), but also predictably slow in terms of shows in the area. Things will pick up, though it’s been a little troubling to see announcements skip KC in favor of St. Louis or Omaha – low overall amount of radio station backing, a need for additional and better talent bookers, and some gaps in certain-sized venues, all contribute, but we remain hopeful.

Meanwhile, the year starts with a bang locally, with a sold-out-in-seconds Jason Isbell show in Lawrence, a wonderful Minnesota-set Dylan-inspired musical stopping by for its run, and even an Elvis sighting – read on, music friends!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from January 18th-25th.

THURSDAY JANUARY 18

Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, Liberty Hall Sold Out / Postponed to May 7

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the man fell ill and had to bump the opening night in Springfield MO and the Lawrence KS show, due to illness. Postponed shows are being rescheduled to May when they also become the opening act for Zach Bryan at U.S. stadiums, which should open more eyes and ears to one of the best singer-songwriters on the road today.

We caught them last in Minneapolis in the summer of 2018, and they’ve only gotten better since.

New bassist Anna Butterss seems to be official and the rest of the lineup consists of familiar faces, including guitarist Sadler Vaden, keyboardist Derry DeBorja, and drummer Chad Gamble, as well as more recent addition, multi-instrumentalist Will Johnson. Minneapolis/St. Paul can look forward to two nights at The Palace coming in March, and we’re wishing them good health for the rest of their run.

                                                FRIDAY JANUARY 19

                                        SATURDAY JANUARY 20

                                        SUNDAY JANUARY 21

                                        MONDAY JANUARY 22

TUESDAY JANUARY 23

Girl From The North Country, Jan 23-28, Kauffman Center,$61-$121

The Tony Award-winning new musical is finally on its first proper North American Tour and has an early run in KC! (of course, it opened last fall in Minneapolis, and in a theater Dylan once even owned!)

Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring orchestrations by Simon Hale, the musical re-imagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” “Slow Train Coming,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”

Set in 1934 in Duluth, MN, a group of wayward travelers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse are filled with music, life and hope. Dylan himself has seen it staged and approves, claiming it had him in tears by the end, though he had nothing to do directly with it and a film adaptation with Olivia Colman and Woody Harrelson is scheduled to roll very soon.

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24

Foy Vance w Bonnie Bishop, Jan 24, The Truman, $29.50-$44.50

Consider us fans of the award-winning Northern Irish singer/songwriter, on a special tour to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his breakthrough 2013 album ‘Joy Of Nothing. Recorded in Donegal on Ireland’s west coast, Joy Of Nothing was Vance’s second full-length album and proved a critical and commercial breakthrough, winning the inaugural Northern Ireland Music Prize.

Joy Of Nothing features Ed Sheeran (on “Guiding Light”) and Bonnie Raitt (on “You And I”), both of whom Vance supported on world tours, and he also toured with Elton John and Snow Patrol, as well as his own sell-out headline tours. We caught him live back in 2014 and were mesmerized by his storytelling, verbal honesty, and troubadour songs.

THURSDAY JANUARY 25

Elvis Costello w Charlie Sexton, Jan 25, Uptown, $69-$225

Elvis is in the Building! The 7-0-7 Tour hits town for a setlist of endless favorites. Aka Declan MacManus, he’s been performing now for over fifty years, solo, alongside longtime pianist, Steve Nieve and with bands Rusty, the Attractions, His Confederates, The Rude Five, The Sugarcanes and of course, The Imposters.

Costello is a two-time GRAMMY® Award-winner and is a member of both The Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and even our E-I-C, Vu, has fond memories of catching him live in LA way back in 1996, and even though he really went just for the opening band.

Texas guitar legend Charlie Sexton, who played with Dylan for years (and Arc Angels), will open.

Park ICM Presents The Rosamunde Trio, Jan 25, 1900 Building, $10-$30

The Rosamunde Trio (Ben Sayevich, Violin; Daniel Veis, Cello; Martino Tirimo, Piano) has toured extensively in the UK and major venues in the USA, Ireland, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Cyprus and the Czech Republic. The Trio’s recordings include the Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich Trios, as well as Dvorak’s Trios, all recorded in Prague at the Liechtenstein Palace.

The London Chamber Music Society invited the Trio to do an even bigger series at London’s Kings Place devoted to all the Mozart Trios and the great works of the ‘French School’.

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]

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

We♥KC! Spotlight on The Kansas City Ballet and "Bliss Point" (performances May 12-21, 2023)

KC Ballet Bliss Point poster BLISS POINT May 12-21, 2023 | Muriel Kauffman Theatre at Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Sandpaper Ballet Choreography: Mark Morris Music: Leroy Anderson Petite Mort Choreography: Jiří Kylián Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Featuring: Sam Beckett Cacti Choreography: Alexander Ekman Music: Franz Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert Text: Spenser Theberge Featuring: Opus 76 String Quartet TICKET PRICE RANGE Regular $34-134 Subscriber 20% off Group discounts available Student Rush $24 Tickets Read More Classical Chamber Music Series: Introducing Lembit Beecher is described as “Lembit Beecher, the SPCO’s Music Alive composer-in-residence, curates and hosts...

The Kansas City Ballet is a 30-member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director Devon Carney whose mission is to inspire and engage through the beauty, power, and passion of Dance. The company dances in the fall, winter, and spring of each year (plus The Nutcracker in December)

Their Community Engagement and Education Department reaches over 20,000 students and adults each year enriching all ages in the community with dance-related programs, and the KC Ballet School provides training to over 2,000 students each year, at two metro locations.

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The Ballet was founded in 1957 by Tatiana Dokoudovska with the goal of establishing a regular presence for ballet in the city. In 1980, Todd Bolender—a former New York City Ballet dancer an international opera and ballet choreographer was chosen to lead.

In 1995 with Bolender’s appointment to artistic director emeritus, William Whitener was appointed artistic director, serving until 2013, creating programs filled with both contemporary work and traditional hallmarks. Now, the Ballet turns another new chapter with David Gray (no, not the singer) taking the reins as Executive Director on July 1^st.

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For their final performance of the 2022-2023 season, “Bliss Point” will undoubtedly end things with an exclamation, as the very phrase means “optimized sweetness or sensory satisfaction”. It is a unique combination of not one, not two, but three contemporary dance pieces, each by renowned choreographers with their own distinctive style and message.

Sandpaper Ballet by Mark Morris explores the relationship between movement and music, as the dancers gracefully move across the stage to a percussive score, creating a memorable sensory experience. Created for the San Francisco Ballet in 1999, expect an upbeat start to the evening with this showcase of interpretive wit and dazzling movement (and a slight touch of the holiday season).

Petite Mort by Czech-born Jiří Kylián (which the company performed in 2017) has a title that literally translates to “little death”, but the meaning of the piece itself, is very open to interpretation. Created in 1991 for the Nederlands Dans Theater at the Salzberg Festival, it features twelve dancers performing to the music of Mozart, played live by The Kansas City Symphony conducted by Ramona Pansegrau featuring pianist Samuel Beckett. The theme of the performance explores sexuality, death, and rebirth, channeled via a series of expressive movements.

Cacti by Swedish choreographer Alexander Ekman offers a playful and whimsical take on contemporary dance, as the colorful barefoot dancers hold their own cactus and interact with large cacti on stage. The piece also alludes to the understanding of art and need to often analyze a work. The Opus 76 Quartet will perform featured work by Haydn, Beethoven and Schubert on stage.

WeHeartMusic was allowed rare inside access into the company’s final and full dress rehearsal for the series of shows, and came away impressed, inspired, and enlightened by the experience.

Running now through next Sunday, May 21^st, “Bliss Point” is an immersive exposition of modern movement and art that invites emotion, thought, and celebration, and lives up to its weighty title of “optimized sensory satisfaction”.

 

(Rehearsal photos below by Brandon Clasen; Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET - Bliss Point (final dress rehearsal 2023-05-11)

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET- BLISS POINT

KANSAS CITY BALLET - Bliss Point (final dress rehearsal 2023-05-11)

John C ♥ [email protected] ♥ twitter.com

We♥KC! May 9-15, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More Billy Idol Before 80s punk rock 'rebel' icon Billy Idol head out on his headlining 2015 tour, he will be doing a warm-up acoustic show with radio DJ Mary Lucia ...

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from May 9th-May 15th.

TUESDAY MAY 9

Tenacious D, Starlight, SOLD OUT

Jack Black and Kyle Gass shamelessly describe themselves as the Greatest Band in the World: Tenacious D began as the pair playing together in Kyle’s studio apartment in Los Angeles in 1994 and three decades later, are still going strong on this their Spicy Meatball Tour. Expect...err, the unexpected, D-ciples! We memorably caught them at a Rock the Vote concert in St. Paul, MN that was headlined by the Beastie Boys, in what would be one of their final shows. Steel Beans is scheduled to open.

Holding Absence, The Bottleneck-Lawrence, $23-$25.

The Welsh rock band from Cardiff formed in 2015 and consists of lead vocalist Lucas Woodland, guitarist Scott Carey, bassist Benjamin Elliot and drummer Ashley Green and are out on their Live & In Monochrome tour before heading back in the studio for album number three. The Plot in You headlines and Thornhill and Banks Arcade on the bill, makes for a full evening.

WEDNESDAY MAY 10

Godsmack w I Prevail, Azura Amph, $35-$125.

The Boston rockers’ new album, "Lighting Up The Sky", was released in late February 24 via BMG. With first single being, "Surrender"which prefaced the LP, out last fall.

Singer Sully Erna has stated that the new record will be the final collection of original material. He explained: "It's the most important record, I think, we've ever written and recorded.” Erna went on to clarify that GODSMACK does not intend to stop playing live shows. "I wanna make sure people are clear about what we're saying here," he said. "I'm not saying that the band may be breaking up. What I'm saying is I think this may be the last body of work you get musically from the band.”

Off! recordBar, $20

The punk supergroup have announced a Spring tour in support of their latest album, which dropped last September, garnering acclaim for the LP’s blend of old-school punk, jazz, and hardcore. Formed in 2009, the supergroup has been relatively quiet over the past decade, with the new LP being their firs! full-length since 2014. The band’s current lineup features frontman Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, ex-Black Flag), guitarist Dimitri Coats (ex-Burning Brides), drummer Justin Brown (Thundercat, Flying Lotus), and bassist Autry Fulbright II (…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead).

Steve Miller Band w Cheap Trick, Starlight, CANCELED

THURSDAY MAY 11

Billy Idol, Uptown, SOLD OUT

On this 15-stop Spring tour, if you want tix, there are /No More, more, more!

Idol will be joined by his longtime backing band, including Steve Stevens, his lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator for more than 40 years. Earlier this month, Idol received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Henry Rollins and Shepard Fairey made speeches in his honor. In September, Idol released the new EP The Cage. He also plays Cruel World Fest in Pasadena on May 20th alongside fellow legends such as Siouxsie Sioux, Iggy Pop, Echo & The Bunnymen, and more.

Logan Mize, The Truman, $25-$50

The KS native country-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist with recent single “Can’t Get Away from a Good Time,” released to country radio by his label Arista Nashville, is gaining increasing buzz.

“Sunflowers,” which is an ode to his home state, will be used as an official state tourism song promoting Kansas. Mize has also been named an official Kansas Brand Ambassador by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and will promote Kansas as a visitor destination.

My Sister My Brother (Garrison Starr + Sean McConnell), Knuckleheads,$15

The songwriting duo of Garrison Starr and Sean McConnell, surprised fans, and themselves, with the new single “Cry Me A River” out now.

Addressing their fans on social media McConnell admits, “We could lie to y’all and say we are pulling a Beyoncé surprise drop, power move. But in actuality, due to the digital gods, we’re just as surprised as y’all are. So… SURPRISE! Meet ‘Cry Me A River” The pair debuted in 2020 with their self-titled EP. and follow up My Sister, My Brother II is due September 29^th.

Behzod Abduraimov Solo Recital Park ICM, The Folly,$10 (student)- $50

Following his debut success at Carnegie Hall in 2015, Behzod has had a rise to stardom in the classical music world, performing with leading orchestras worldwide. An award-winning recording artist, his most recent album, “Debussy, Chopin, Mussorgsky” was released in January 2021 by Alpha Classics. He serves as Park University’s International Center for Music’s artist-in-residence.

FRIDAY MAY 12

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra- Riff Generation, Medallion Theater, $22.50

May installment featuring a new jazz ensemble that cultivates new music alongside Kansas City’s fabled heritage of the genre. Part of a stand-alone performance series of new, highly collaborative compositions in a modern examination of the Kansas City “riff style.” Musicians audition for a one-year residency and perform these works in a variety of settings.

KC Ballet- Bliss Point May 12-21, Kauffman Center, $34-$134

Kansas City Ballet presents Bliss Point – ballets by Mark Morris, Jiří Kylián, and Alexander Ekman, an exciting combination of three unique contemporary dance pieces, each with its own distinctive style and message.

The first piece, Sandpaper Ballet explores the relationship between movement and music, as the dancers gracefully move across the stage to a percussive score, creating a mesmerizing visual and auditory experience.

Next, Petite Mort features twelve dancers performing to the music of Mozart, exploring themes of sexuality, death, and rebirth through a series of elegant and sensual movements.

Finally, Cacti offers a playful and humorous take on contemporary dance, as the dancers interact with and manipulate large cacti on stage.

Saving Abel, PBR Big Sky. $20

The rock band from Corinth, Mississippi was founded in 2004 by Jared Weeks and Jason Nulland is named after the biblical story of Cain and Abel, in which Cain kills his brother Abel.

Lead singer Jared Weeks left the band at the end of 2013 to pursue a solo career, but returned in 2021, replacing Scott Austin. Dave Moraata, the drummer of Week's solo project, would be replacing Steven Pulley Most recent release is Blood-Stained Revolution (2014)

SATURDAY MAY 13

Country Roots Fest feat Chris Young, Trace Adkins, Gabby Barrett, Clay Walker, JoDee Messina, Legends Field, $59-$139

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Q104 presents a festival that features Bars ft. Craft Whiskey Cocktails & More; Craft Food & Retail Vendors, Outdoor Game Experiences, Line Dancing Area, Art Installations, and oh yeah, plenty of Country Music.

Deafheaven, Madrid Theatre,$25-$39

The Californian black metal/shoegaze quintet released their fifth studio album, Infinite Granite, in late 2021. The album saw the band take a dramatic departure from the black metal influences that had been a core part of their sound from their inception, shifting to a more melodic, shoegaze-oriented style.

Pat Green, Ameristar Casino, $40-$55

Classic country boy and proud Texan Pat Green loves his home state and he's not afraid to show it. With songs like "Texas on my Mind" and "I Like Texas."

Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration with Michael Feinstein, Helzberg Hall, $57.50-$117.50.

Featuring Gonzalo Farias, David T Beals III Associate Conductor and Michael Feinstein, vocalist and piano, with the Kansas City Symphony, we travel through the life and songs of Judy Garland, celebrating her 100th birthday. This brand-new multimedia concert event features big screen film clips, never-before-seen photos, rare audio recordings, and of course, great music.

Feinstein is an American singer, pianist, and five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist. He is an archivist and interpreter for the repertoire known as the Great American Songbook. In 1988 he won a Drama Desk Special Award for celebrating American musical theatre songs

SUNDAY MAY 14

Tom Russell, Knuckleheads. $40

Singer songwriter, painter, essayist, Russell takes the stage for a special show that will include “the hits” as well as selections from his new album to be released in the spring of 2023, as well as his latest “October in the Railroad Earth” ….of course, Russell will tell some stories, and have original art, prints and books for sale.

Jan Kraybill Pipe Organ Concert, Kauffman Center,SOLD OUT

A special, solo pipe organ concert to honor moms of all types! "Music from the Heart," features Jan Kraybill performing at the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ in Helzberg Hall.

The 75-minute program illustrates many shades of love, with compositions by Bach, Howells, and more, concluding with the finale of Paul Ayres’ Fantasy-Sonata on “Over the Rainbow.”

Watsky, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $30-$50

The rising hip hopper as evolved to include elements of rock, jazz and orchestral arrangements, along with his blend of occasionally funny always honest wordplay. In 2016, his album x Infinity reached #4 on the Billboard rap chart, and his debut essay collection, How To Ruin Everything was a bestseller.

Shortly after, he began a 3-album series by releasing his 2019 album Complaint and toured extensively. The final album in the three-part series, Intention, was released this year and saw notable features from T-Pain, Rachel Zegler and Abhi The Nomad.

Zero 9:36, May 14, Encore at Uptown. $23

MONDAY MAY 15

Agent Orange with Suzi Moon, May 15, RecordBar. $25.49

Ugly Kid Joe with Fozzy and Pistols at Dawn, May 15, The Truman. $19.89-$38

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

We♥KC! April 26-May 1, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More Mötley Crüe All the original members of glam "hair" metal band Mötley Crüe are back with an all-original studio album, Saints of Los Angeles. The album is out today …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Late April means Draft Week in KC!

After two Super Bowl wins, the metro gets to host the NFL Draft this Thur/Fri/Sat, which has become a huge media event, and has free nightly concerts after the rounds end. Admission is free but requires the NFL OnePass QR code, because the league wants your marketing info, of course. Still, should be fun. April has quickly come and gone- bring on May!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from April 26th-May 1st.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 26

Sabrina Carpenter, Midland. $29.50-$59.50

Out on her emails i can't send Tour supporting her fifth full-length album and debut for Island Records, the album represents a music leap for the multi-talented star. In order to get “closer to music,” Sabrina quite literally embraced her roots once again. Listening intently to a myriad of favorites, she dusted off listening to the likes of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Dolly Parton, and Marvin Gaye, emphasizing the inclusion of live instrumentation and stripped-back production.

Since making her debut with Eyes Wide Open in 2015, Carpenter has evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer on her own terms, amassing over a billion streams, a platinum and two gold singles along the way. Blu DeTiger to open.

Lainey Wilson, KC Live, Free

Wilson is on the road for her first major headlining tour she dubs the Country With a Flare Tour. New album, Bell Bottom Country has been critically acclaimed and swept recent Country award shows. She’s a real-deal rising artist with #1’s "Things a Man Oughta Know" and "Never Say Never," a collaboration with Cole Swindell and single "Heart Like a Truck” is currently everywhere, even on a Ram Truck commercial in heavy rotation. Oh, plus Free show! - arrive early for a good spot.

THURSDAY APRIL 27

Black Flag (performing My War), recordBar, $25

The punk luminaries have taken on many forms over the years, but one thing that has stayed consistent is guitarist (and primary songwriter) Greg Ginn, who’s the sole continuous member of the band. On this tour, pro-skater-turned-punk vocalist Mike Vallely will front the band in a performance of the seminal 1984 album, My War, in its entirety along with classic punk hits.

Fall Out Boy, NFL Draft at Union Station, free w NFL OnePass

The GRAMMY award-nominated, multi-platinum and award-winning rock band will take the stage following the conclusion of Round 1. The band's eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust, debuted as the No. 1 rock album when released last month. This June, they come back(!) on their So Much For (Tour) Dust but you can see this sneak peek for free. Jonas Brothers also appearing earlier in the evening with a new single!

Mo Lowda & The Humble w/Illiterate Light, Encore at Uptown,$15-$17

The Philly indie four piece is headlining their album release tour, in support of their self-titled full length, which just released in March. It’s their fourth, so you know they’ve been honing their chops and energetic live show, for some time.

Arrive early for openers Illiterate Light The Virginia duo (singer-guitarist Jeff Gorman and drummer Jake Cochran), has been around since 2015 and is touring in support of their new album Sunburned, out now via Thirty Tigers. We just caught this show last week in Minneapolis – read all about it here!

Pert Near Sandstone w the Way Back Wanderers, Knuckleheads, $18.50

The Minneapolis-based string group released their debut album, 'Up And Down The River” over a decade ago. New release, 'Discovery Of Honey,' finds them once again recording in a basement and reuniting with founding member Ryan Young, who's spent the past seven years playing fiddle with Duluth’s Trampled By Turtles.

Current lineup also includes Nate Sipe and Kevin Kniebel, founding guitarist J Lenz, bassist Justin Bruhn, and clog & fiddle player Matt Cartier. Support comes from Peoria, IL band The Way Down Wanderers, who recently released third full-length, More Like Tomorrow.

IV and the Strange Band, Knuckleheads, $20

"Patience is a virtue." Those words are tattooed across Coleman Williams' right arm, forever reminding the alternative-country singer/songwriter of the benefits of taking one's time as the great-grandson of Hank Williams Sr., grandson of Hank Williams Jr., and only son of Hank 3. Expect a genre-blending mix with Southern attitude and a DIY mentality. The Goddamn Gallows as support.

Rob Schneider (comedy), Folly. $35-$75

The multi-faceted Schneider is out on his I Have Issues Tour.. A stand-up comic and veteran of the award-winning NBC’s Saturday Night Live, Schneider has gone on to a career in films (the Deuce Bigalow franchise), television and continues touring and the three-time Emmy nominated writer is also raising young daughters Miranda and Madeline, with his wife Patricia.

Bruce-O-Rama Starring Bruce Campbell, Uptown Theater, $27.50-$125.00

PART 1: PLAY A GAME!

Hosted by Bruce, LAST FAN STANDING is not your father's trivia contest. As the only interactive game show created exclusively for fans of pop culture, it will test your knowledge about the things that really matter: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Superheroes, Gaming.

PART 2: WATCH A GROOVY BRUCE MOVIE!

Bruce will introduce a cult favorite he's been in and take questions before the screening. It's a lively half hour of anecdotes, insults and random cash giveaways.

FRIDAY APRIL 28

Kelce Jam feat Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, Loud Luxury, Tech N9ne, Azura Amph, $49.99+

The two-time Super Bowl Champion is curating his very own music festival, to help celebrate NFL Draft Week in Kansas City (even though this is way out in Bonner Springs)

Mostly sold out, it pairs the newsworthy Machine Gun Kelly with rappers Ross and local favorite Tech N9ne for an evening that is very close to sold out, try for tix quick.

MÖTLEY CRÜE, NFL Draft at Union Station, free w NFL OnePass

Known for their iconic live performances and currently on The World Tour playing stadiums around the globe, the world's most notorious rock band, MÖTLEY CRÜE will headline Day 2 following Round 3 on Friday, April 28, before taking their tour to 17 European countries starting next month and returning to the USA for more stadium shows in August.

Latrice Royale, Madrid Theatre, $35-$249

Celebrating 30 years in the biz, Latrice shares how she’s risen from the lowest points in her life to becoming one of the World’s most Beloved Queens. It’s a story of resilience, heart, soul and determination as Latrice spills all the “Tea” through comedy, storytelling and music. Spendy VIP packages available, of course.

Park ICM Orchestra, Parkville, free w/email reserve here

Currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the International Center for Music at Park University (Park ICM) started its famed chamber orchestra in 2016. The season will culminate with Kansas City favorite Timothy Hankewich, former resident conductor of the Kansas City Symphony on April 28th.

Maestro Hankewich has selected an all-French program, with music of Honegger, Saint-Saëns, Fauré and Milhaud being featured. The Swiss/French composer Arthur Honegger is perhaps best known by two very different works; his symphonic poem Pacific 231, inspired by his great love of trains, and the so-called symphonic psalm King David, a work that propelled the composer to fame in 1921. His Pastorale d’ete will be heard to start the concert and is an evocation of a calm early morning in the Swiss alps.

SATURDAY APRIL 29

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “The Root,” April 29, Kauffman Center,$33.50-$68.50

The root of jazz lies in another Black American art form: the blues. But the relationship that Kansas City jazz has with the blues is unique, maintaining a strong association throughout the past century. From Julia Lee to Charlie Parker to Bobby Watson and beyond, Kansas City jazz musicians have embodied this tradition in a holistic, yet continually contemporary style and will honor its musical roots.

Thundercat, NFL Draft at Union Station, free w NFL OnePass

The Grammy-winning iconic bassist and vocalist previously wowed opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and an outdoor show last summer at GrindersKC, and will now close out the 2023 Draft Concert Series. He will curate a special performance which will pay tribute to the rich music history and the legacy of jazz in Kansas City. His latest single is a collab with Tame Impala.

Damien Jurado, recordBar, $17

New album Sometimes You Hurt The Ones You Hate just came out (via Maraqopa Records) and “Neiman Marcus” is the lead single, a melodic pop song that sounds both fresh and classic.

Ron Pope w/Caleb Hearn and Lydia Luce, Knuckleheads,$20-$2525

After his world tour was canceled in early-2020, Pope passed three hundred afternoons at his living room piano and the resulting music is Inside Voices, due out in early June. Pope circled back to how his solo career began- simple, honest lyrics and melodies..

With special guest Caleb Hearn and Lydia Luce and no, that top ticket price is not wrong-- it basically entitles you to hang out all day with Pope.

The New Pornographers with Wild Pink, The Truman. $30-$60

For the last two decades, the indie supergroup — A.C. Newman, Neko Case, Kathryn Calder, Todd Fancey, Blaine Thurier, John Collins, Joe Seiders and Simi Stone have been delivering infectious hooks, harmonies, and a pile of power-pop riffs every time they take the stage, now embarking on a tour in support of their brand new record In The Morse Code Of Brake Lights. We caught the band at First Avenue almost a decade ago (has it been that long?!) and the lineup changes, depending on who’s available. Openers Wild Pink are an indie rock band from the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, with ILYSM being their fourth full-length album.

Cut Chemist, The Ship,$18-$20

The legendary turntablist (co-founder of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli) will be performing a special vinyl-only set in the main room

SUNDAY APRIL 30

The Birthday Massacre, Encore at Uptown. $25

From the band whose landmark album Walking With Strangers has been called the "Sgt. Pepper of Dark Wave" comes their 12th release and most intimate offering to date. " Fascination" is at once the most fully realized album with the bands signature blend of haunting vocals, electronica and aggressive guitars and their most accessible. We caught them live both last year, and back in 2017 and this is a headlining show, in between support gigs with Lacuna Coil. 

Wage War with Nothing,nowhere. and Spite, The Truman. $25-$70

The metalcore band formed in Ocala, FL in 2010 under the name Empires and consists of lead vocalist Briton Bond, lead guitarist Seth Blake, rhythm guitarist / vocalist Cody Quistad, bassist Chris Gaylord, and drummer Stephen Kluesener. Acoustic album The Stripped Sessions, was released last December. Opener Nothing,Nowhere is a 30yr-old Foxborough, Mass Emo rapper whose new album “VOID ETERNAL” featuring the 'THIRST4VIOLENCE', 'VEN0M' & 'CYAN1DE' is out now.

MONDAY MAY 1

Wilder Woods (NEEDTOBREATHE), Madrid. $31

The Covid lockdown turned into a very productive period for NEEDTOBREATHE singer Bear Rinehart who was fresh off of touring behind the first album for his new solo project, Wilder Woods, when he holed up with his wife and children. The result is a brand-new 2^nd solo album, Fever/Sky, out now on Dualtone Records, but expect some band, as well as solo favorite songs. We’ve seen the band a handful of times, most recently last summer with OneRepublic on a lovely summer night outdoors at Starlight.

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

We♥KC! March 9-15, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More Mammoth WVH Special guests Mammoth WVH (aka Wolfgang Van Halen) to open. Guns N’ Roses 2021 Tour Dates: Jul 31 – Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium* Aug 03 – Boston, MA …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

St Pat’s may not be until the 17^th, 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 7^th 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.

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

We♥KC! February 21-28, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More Kimbra More than somebody that you used to know-- New Zealand-born Kimbra is back, touring in support of her second album, The Golden Echo (Warner Bros. Records) …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Mostly good reports coming out of Springsteen’s recent KC stop, despite having no sax player due to a positive Covid test, just before showtime. At least half their band has been affected, but the tour rolls on, like most traveling shows these days.

P!nk just announced for late October and Jelly Roll is also headlining T-Mobile Center in late August, and Guns n' Roses will play Kauffman Stadium on Sept 23, so the Fall is already starting to take shape.

This week has a good mix from different genres, with a few being very sold out and/or limited tix remaining, so lock in your seat while you can!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from February 21st-28th.

TUESDAY FEB 21

International Anime Music Festival, The Midland, $45

This inaugural tour brings virtual music superstars to 37 venues and is the first time the popular VTubers (virtually generated animated YouTubers) and Vocaloids (virtual singers with computer generated voices) will appear on stage together.

Stars Kizuna AI Original Singeroid "#kzn", vocal duo HIMEHINA, vocal trio MaRiNaSu, the North American debut of fan favorite GUMI, and pop twins LiLYPSE, the show will be a live DJ-led multimedia concert. Featuring brand new songs and never-before-seen content, the tour brings these characters to life on LED and digital projections. These characters are fan-favorites of international anime-music, generating over 62 million Google searches, and more than 1.2 billion combined views.

National Geographic Live Presents Wild Cats of India with Sandesh Kadur, Kauffman Center, $33.50-$68.50.

With landscapes spanning the Himalaya, arid plains and jungles, India is home to an unmatched diversity of wild cats. Photographer / filmmaker Sandesh Kadur is on a mission to highlight the country’s lesser-known felines in order to protect their future. Through his images and video, you’ll get a unique and up-close look, and the presentation includes an audience Q&A.

WEDNESDAY FEB 22

 THURSDAY FEB 23

Giovannie and the Hired Guns, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $23-$25

This rising rock band melds metal, country and Latin music with radio-friendly pop melodies. Formed back when front man Giovannie Yanez was working at a pawnshop, the Stephenville, TX-based band has had great word of mouth related to their live shows and toured last year with Classless Act, who we saw headline to end the year.

In 2019, the band even supported country star Jason Aldean to a crowd of 36,000 at Globe Life Park stadium. With their third full-length, Tejano Punk Boyz, they remain intent on bringing that passion to each and every live set. “Anytime we’re onstage the most important thing is connecting with the crowd in a way that makes them feel like they’re part of the show,” says Yanez.

SunSquabi, recordBar, $17

Incorporating aspects of many genres including electronic, jam band, and funk, among many others the trio is Chris Anderson (drums), Josh Fairman (bass, synth), and Kevin Donohue (guitar, keys, production). They just performed on the Jam Cruise last month and are now making their way around the country. Megan Hamilton also on the bill.

Gary Allan, Prairie Band Casino-Mayetta, SOLD OUT

The longtime Country artist will be performing his greatest hits including “Every Storm Runs Out Of Rain,” "Watching Airplanes," "Nothin' On But The Radio", and others, in a relatively intimate setting. We saw him years ago in Nashville, and his smooth voice and solid songs, are just as strong as ever.

FRIDAY FEB 24

DakhaBrakha, Polsky Theatre. SOLD OUT

This show is Very Sold Out! Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, this unique “ethno chaos” band creates a world of unexpected new music.

They began in 2004 by avant-garde theatre director Vladyslav Troitskyi, with a name that means “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language and their shows are always staged with a strong visual element. Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, Russian and Australian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s astonishingly powerful and uncompromising vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in their native culture. Support Ukraine!

Fit for a King w Northlane, Alpha Wolf, Kingdom of Giants, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$28.

****POSTPONED TO FEB 27th*****

Supporting their latest metalcore opus, The Hell We Create (released in Oct via Solid State Records). This lineup is packed so prepare for early doors, a long night, and fervent headbanging.  Limited tix left - Act Quick!    

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $29-$69

Celebrating their 30^th Anniversary, the band named themselves after an autograph by blues legend Albert Collins, and since then, they’ve managed to celebrate and revitalize jazz and swing music and bring a sense of joy and fun to audiences.

They began their 30th (officially in April 2023) celebration early by gathering eight other musicians they’ve played with throughout the years, for a total of 17, and delivering a big band sound in their hometown of Ventura, CA and now their show again hits the road-- no telling how many will be on stage, but it will be crowded!

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, “The Future” feat. Lee Langston, Kauffman Center. $33.50-$68.50

The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra embraces the future of music through performance and education. The Future is built wholly upon that tenet, providing the stage for this art to emerge, featuring current and future legends one and all. Along with the big band, vocalists Eboni Fondren and Lee Langston will put their modern spin on tunes from the likes of Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, and Sam Cooke. In addition, some of Kansas City’s rising stars, students from Soundwave Academy and KCK Community College, will join onstage.

SATURDAY FEB 25

Blue October, The Truman, $39.50-$75.00

Out on their Spinning the Truth Around Tour, the longtime Houston rock band has an album out by the same name, as part of a planned ambitious triple-album, with the second part due out next month. Always putting on a great live set, we caught them last in Minneapolis in 2019.

Greensky Bluegrass, Uptown, $29-$50

The veteran Kalamazoo-based Americana outfit is out on the road to support their just-released Courage For The Road: Fall 2021 live record, along with cuts from their previous eight studio albums. The five-piece features Anders Beck [dobro], Michael Arlen Bont [banjo], Dave Bruzza [guitar], Mike Devol [upright bass], and Paul Hoffman [Mandolin].

Summer Breeze performing Let It Be, recordBar, $20.

KC’s own soft/yacht rock hits tribute band, whose playlist usually includes the likes of Michael McDonald, Christopher Cross, Hall & Oates, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Loggins, and Steely Dan, turns its attention to the classic late-era Beatles classic, performed in its entirety, along with special surprise guests!

SUNDAY FEB 26

Kimbra w Tei Shi, recordBar, $22

The New Zealand native who saw her US breakthrough via Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” has returned with new tour and full-length, A Reckoning, with “Foolish Thinking,” as its third single. We caught her live back in 2018 in Minneapolis and she’s even better in concert than you expect.

Opener Tei Shi is a Canadian Colombian singer with music inspired by indie pop, shoegaze and R&B sounds, she's supporting her new EP BAD PREMONITION featuring single, “¿QUIÉN TE MANDA?”. It follows her 2020 EP, Die 4 Ur Love, and features production from herself, Chairlift’s Patrick Wimberly, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Jacob Portrait, and more. We last caught her headlining back in late 2017.

MONDAY FEB 27

ICM Presents Pianist Claudio Martinez Mehner, 1900 Building, $30 ($10 students)

As part of Park ICM’s 20th Anniversary, a rare U.S. performance by the classical master pianist of a virtuosic work! Friends since their days in school, Park ICM Founder / Artistic Director Stanislav Ioudenitch invited Mehner to come and play Isaac Albeniz’s Iberia, considered one of the most challenging works for piano written. This collection by Spanish composer Albeniz evokes the spirit of Spain and the region of Andalusia in particular, with rhythms and harmonies gleaned from Spanish folk music.  Bravo, Bravo!

TUESDAY FEB 28

Stephen Sanchez w Cece Coakley, recordBar, $15

The buzzing Nashville-based singer/songwriter has returned with his brand-new single, “Evangeline” (via Mercury Records/Republic Records) and he’s out on a 32-date tour.

He became popular on social media, amassing over two million views and a deal with Republic Records. With this opportunity, the young singer wrote another hit song, “Kayla,” in 2021, and a few months later added his EP, What Was, Not Now. Sanchez continued to accumulate hits with his first full album, Easy on My Eyes in 2022.

Joey Molland and Badfinger, Knuckleheads, $38.50-$55

Known for such classic hits as "Baby Blue," "No Matter What" and "Day After Day," Badfinger was one of the first bands to be signed by The Beatles when they decided to start their own record label. Paul McCartney wrote their breakthrough single "Come and Get It," while George Harrison produced both "Day After Day” and "Baby Blue", the latter of which went to #1 decades later, after being featured on the final episode of AMC's "Breaking Bad".

As the only surviving member of this legendary pop band, Joey Molland (a Brit but MN-based for decades) continues the legacy of their music, while also continuing to create new music.

Six (musical), Feb 28- Mar 5, Music Hall, $136+

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived! From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of heartbreak into a celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over (as they are saying!)

SIX has won 23 awards in the 2021-22 Broadway season, including the Tony Award® for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.

Much anticipated to play locally, the entire run is just about sold out so secure any remaining tix now!

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

Twin Cities: SPCO, ApplaudUs, Lee DeWyze

Read More SPCO Chamber Music Series: Introducing Lembit Beecher is described as “Lembit Beecher, the SPCO’s Music Alive composer-in-residence, curates and hosts this program which features his most recent string quartet …

THE SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
thespco.org

After a long hiatus, the The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (often abbreviated to SPCO) is pleased to announced the return to live performances on September 10 and 11. Like with all the live venues around town, you are required to be vaccinated, or show proof of negative test results. Masks will also be required at the Ordway Center.

Here are the details:

After an almost unbearably long hiatus, the is thrilled to welcome audiences back to live performances with this season-opening program. Two works commissioned by the SPCO and premiered virtually during the pandemic will be heard for the first time by a live audience. Valerie Coleman’s wind quintet, Umoja, which means unity in Swahili, is a fitting celebration of our ability to gather once again for the communal experience of hearing live music. We offer a moment of reflection through Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on the G String — the first piece SPCO musicians performed following the attacks of September 11 twenty years ago — before concluding the night with the titular Serenade for Strings.

Opening Weekend: Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings
Gioachino Rossini: Overture to II Signor Bruschino
Tyson Davis: Tableau No. X (SPCO commission)
Viet Cuong: Circling Back (SPCO commission)
Valerie Coleman: Umoja, The First Day of Kwanzaa
Osvaldo Golijov: Last Round for String Ensemble
Johann Sebastian Bach: Air on the G String from Suite No. 3
Pyotr Tchaikovsky: Serenade for Strings
Led by SPCO Musicians
Cassie Pilgrim, oboe
Lynn Erickson, trumpet
Sarah Lewis, cello

Dates and locations:
Friday, September 10, 8:00pm
Saturday, September 11, 8:00pm
Ordway Concert Hall, Saint Paul
Tickets: $12–$50 for adults; FREE for kids and students
Call 651.291.1144 or visit thespco.org

Read More Stageit I'm testing out video quality on Stageit, so I went to the next available show, which was for Austitron's "Austoberfest Part 4" show. …

APPLAUDUS
applaudus.com

Minneapolis’ ApplaudUs is launching globally on September 12, 2021. This company self-described itself as “a live video and audio streaming platform and music marketplace that connects musicians and music lovers.” Reading more into it, it sounds like it could be like StageIt … where fans can tip or pay for content from their favorite musicians. It could go even further, like some sort of fanclub where musicians can interact with their fans… I could be wrong in misreading it, I suggest find out more about them on their website.

They are currently looking for musicians to sign up.

If you’re in the Minnesota area, you can stop by their official launch party at Route 47 Pub & Grub in Fridley on September 12th from Noon to 10pm.

Here is an excerpt from their press release:

Announcing ApplaudUs, Launching globally September 12th 2021. ApplaudUs; A live video and audio streaming platform and music marketplace that connects musicians and music lovers. ApplaudUs; A new era in live music, offering a sustainable business model for Performing artists. ApplaudUs allows Artists to monetize their Art in a fair system that returns more to the artist while making that music easier to find for Fans.

…

Ticket buyers receive a virtual front row seat to live concerts from anywhere. During ApplaudUs live streams fans react to shows, tip artists, and purchase recordings. Artists receive real time feedback during their performances creating a truly immersive experience for the artist and Fans. Founder/CEO Paul Campbell says “This collected data feeds into the ApplaudUs Chart using our patent pending technology that sorts data in a way that truly places the music choices of the people at the top of the charts”. The music charts can filter down so that fans can even find, for example, the top pop song in their local regions as well as globally. Artists see their growth and audiences can discover emerging talents. “Trying to find new music by genre that is reliably of high quality on other platforms is like trying to find a needle in a haystack”, states Campbell”. Not so on ApplaudUs because the chart is always automatically updating giving fans the best of new music based upon the data that is dynamically updating 24/7.

Read More Lee DeWyze While fellow American Idol winner Phillip Phillips was just down the street opening for John Mayer, Season 9 winner Lee DeWyze entertained with a 40 min. …

LEE DEWYZE
leedewyzeofficial.com

I just wanted to quickly mentioned this upcoming show, which is taking place this week. We’ve already wrapped up our August concert previews (currently working all upcoming September shows – so send in your requests), and this show was missed.

So coming to 7th Street Entry is Lee DeWyze and D'Arcy on August 24, 2021.

We previously seen American Idol winner Lee DeWyze in Nov 2013 and wrote, “New songs like ‘Silver Lining’ and ‘Fight’ were well received, and the audience was mostly receptive to his humble and honest songwriting.”

Opening the show will be New York alternative act D’Arcy, touring in support of Hard to Kill EP.

2021 Tour Dates

8.24 - Minneapolis, MN
8.25 - Milwaukee, WI
8.26 - Madison, WI
8.27 - Ann Arbor, MI
8.28 - Lake Orion, MI
8.29 Spring Lake, MI
8.31 - Cleveland, OH
9.1 - Columbus, OH
9.2 - Akron, OH
9.3 Syracuse, NY
9.4 - Worcester, MA
9.5 - Pawling, NY
9.7 Buffalo, NY
9.8 Cambridge, MA
9.9 - Egremont, MA
9.10 Fairfield, CT
9.11 - Amagansett, NY
9.12 - New York, NY
9.14 - Sellersville, PA
9.16 - Vienna, VA
9.17 - Asheville, NC
9.18 - Atlanta, GA
9.19 - St Louis, MO
9.22 - Austin, TX
9.23 Woodlands, TX
9.24 - Denton, TX
9.25 - Dallas, TX
9.27 - Phoenix, AZ

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Rachel Barton Pine - American Virtuosa

Tour 12/05/07 Scottish Chamber - Dumfries, Scotland 12/06/07 Scottish Chamber - Edinburgh, Scotland 12/07/07 Scottish Chamber - Glasgow, Scotland 12/08/07 Scottish Chamber - Aberdeen, Scotland 02/02/08 Ithaca College - Ithaca, NY 02/03/08 Ithaca College - Ithaca, NY 02/23/08 Music Institute of Chicago - Illinois 03/03/08 Jupiter Symphony - New York, NY 03/07/08 Dayton Philharmonic - Dayton, Ohio 03/08/08 Dayton Philharmonic - Dayton, Ohio 03/18/08 University of Chicago - Illinois 03/20/08 Jacksonville Symphony - Florida 03/21/08 Jacksonville Symphony - Florida 03/22/08 Jacksonville Symphony - Florida 03/29/08 Columbus Symphony Columbus, Georgia 04/14/08 Jupiter Symphony - New York, NY 04/17/08 Northwest Indiana Symphony - Merrillville, IN 04/17/08 Lane Tech Orchestra - Chicago, IL 04/25/08 New Philharmonic - Glen Ellyn, IL 04/26/08 New Philharmonic - Glen Ellyn, IL 04/15/08 Puerto Rico Symphony San Juan Discography [1994] Homage to Sarasate [1996] Handel: Sonatas for Violin & Continuo [1997] Liszt: Works for Violin and Piano, Vol.1 [1997] Stringendo: Storming the Citadel [1997] Violin Concertos by Black Composers of the 18th and 19th Centuries [1998] Instrument of the Devil [1998] Double Play: Twentieth Century Duos for Violin and Cello (with Wendy Warner) [2002] Introduction, Theme, and Variations on “God Defend New Zealand” [2002] Brahms and Joachim Violin Concertos [2004] Solo Baroque [2005] Scottish Fantasies for Violin & Orchestra [Jun 2006] American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell [Sep 2007] An Italian Sojourn Rachel Barton Pine http://weheartmus... Rachel Barton Pine is a renowned classical violin soloist, based out of Chicago, Illinois. She's...

You know, there's definitely going to be another Bands From Chicago, Illinois entry later. In the meantime, here's another Chicagoan: Rachel Barton Pine. I've previously mentioned her here before, but this entry is just for her 2006 album American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell.

MAUD POWELL
You know, I'm the type of person that actually enjoy reading liner notes from albums (this is why I am still not going to totally convert to a digital medium just yet). This album comes with a whopping 23+ page booklet.

Most of the text are a well-researched mini-biography of Maud Powell, written by founder and president of The Maud Powell Society for Music and Education, Karen A Shaffer.

Not only do you get a CD full of Classical period pieces (all the songs were written between Powell's time period of 1800s and 1900s), but you also get to learn a lot about this American violinist. You can only imagine her struggles back then, especially because of her gender.

Powell actually never wrote any original compositions, which may explain why she's not more well-known in this century. What this album achieve is celebrating her life and bringing attention of her to a modern household.

MUSIC
Many of these songs on the album was arranged or transcribed by Powell. There were a few that Powell probably haven't played, but were recorded in dedication to her.

All of the songs are very good, there's a lot of variety in the choices of songs.

Rachel Barton Pine - Molly on the Shore

For instance, "Molly on the Shore" is an Irish-style song (originally written by Percy Aldridge Grainger). There's a lot of sharp and quick strokes in this song that would most likely keeps your toes tapping.

Another dance-designed song is the quick "Minute Waltz" by Frédéric Chopin, which the violin seems to weave in and out in different directions. It's also probably the shortest waltz you've ever heard, but it does last more than a minute (it's two minutes long).

The most American song on this album is "Caprice on Dixie" by Herman Bellstredt Jr., which contain his interpretation of the popular song, "Dixie". In this version, there seems to be almost some hand-plucked sounds from the violin (?), so it sounds like you can play this with a fiddle.

Here's a listing of all the songs appearing on this album:

Beach: Romance, Op. 23	Grainger: Molly on the Shore	Dvorak: Songs My Mother Sang
Sibelius: Musette from King Christian II	Bauer: Up the Ocklawaha, Op. 6	Chopin: “Minute” Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1
Venth: Aria	Palmgren: May Night	Coleridge-Taylor: Deep River, Op. 59, No. 10
Dvorak: Humoreske, Op. 101, No. 7	Danks: Silver Threads Among the Gold	Bellstedt, Jr.: Caprice on Dixie
Huss: Romance	Gilbert: Marionettes (Scherzo)	Burleigh: Four Rocky Mountain Sketches,Op.11
Massenet: Twilight (Créspuscule) from Poèmes	Liebling: Fantasia on Sousa Themes	Johnson: Nobody Knows the Trouble I See

NOTES
For more information about Maud Powell, check out: maudpowell.org. If you like what you've read and heard, you can buy the album (with the gigantic lyric book) at Cedille Records (it's currently on sale for $12.80).

You can also hear more American Virtuosa songs in the background of my video Cooking with Vu, Episode 2 - however Stage6 wasn't working the last time I checked.

 

 12/01/2007 21:47:50  vu my♥posts rachelbartonpine.com myspace.com

Rachel Barton Pine

Tour 2007

Jul 21 Amati Music Festival, Hunter, NY
Aug 01 Dame Myra Hess, Chicago, IL
Aug 02 National Association of Negro Musicians, Las Vegas, NV
Aug 15 International Consortium for Music of Africa & its Dispora, Ghana and Nigeria
Aug 31 Gottinger Symphonie Orchester, Gottingen, Germany
Sep 08 Santa Fe Symphony
Sep 14 Performers of Westchester,Mamarinac,NY
Sep 15-16 Bargemusic, Brooklyn, NY
Sep 27-28 NUS Centre for the Arts Singapore
Sep 29 Yong Siew Toh Conserv, Singapore
Oct 05 Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
Oct 06 Fox Valley Symphony, Appleton, WI
Oct 16-18 Israel Chamber Orchestra, Tel Aviv
Oct 20 Youngstown Symphony, Youngstown, OH
Oct 26 Prairie Center, Schaumburg, IL
Nov 02 Kishwaukee Symphony, DeKalb, IL
Nov 03-04 Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Nov 05 WFMT Chicago, 98.7FM
Nov 10-11 Greenville Symphony, Greenville, SC
Nov 11 Greenville Symphony, Greenville, SC
Nov 16-18 New Mexico Symphony, Albuquerque
Nov 27 Cedille Records, London
Dec 05-08 Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Scotland

 

Rachel Barton Pine - Medley of Scots Tunes w Alasdair Fraser

Rachel Barton Pine is a renowned classical violin soloist, based out of Chicago, Illinois. She's currently on tour and her schedule list is up to 2008, but I'm just including her 2007 dates. More details on her website.

She started playing the violin at the age of three, and debuted with the Chicago String Ensemble at age 7.

Her first album was Homage to Sarasate (1994), playing the works of Pablo Martín Melitón de Sarasate y Navascués, a Spanish violinist.

Her press release biography doesn't list this horrible life-changing accident a few months after her debut album. I suppose it's irrelevant information to her music career, but I was really amazed at what strength she must have had to continue on... and to this day she's released about 12 albums.

 

Rachel Barton - One

The most interesting among them is her rock band tribute CD, Stringendo: Storming the Citadel (1997), featuring her original arrangements of rock classics like "Stairway to Heaven" or "Smells Like Teen Spirit". How this started: she played her rendition of "One" by Metallica live on Chicago's Rock 103.5. The listener response was so overwhelming that this lead her to record Stringendo.

The song I'm including here is "One" and "Medley of Scots Tunes" (with Alasdair Fraser on pianos). The medley song consists of "The Lament of Flora MacDonald," "The Waukin of the Fauld," "Miss Lyall or Mrs. Grant of Laggan," and "Timour the Tartar." It is from her 2-disc 2004 album Scottish Fantasies.

Her latest album is called American Virtuosa: Tribute to Maud Powell and if you want to check out excerpts from her new album, you can take a listen to her podcast.

PS, I have also created a Classical Group

 July 09, 2007 5:29 PM  vu [email protected] rachelbartonpine.com myspace/rachelbartonpine

Edward Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance

 

Edward Elgar - Pomp and Circumstance (5 marches for orchestra Op. 39) - No. 01

Edward Elgar

 

Twenty Pound Note

Edward Elgar and Olivier Messiaen's "Quatuor pour la fin du temps" (quartet for the end of time) came highly recommended from that woman I mentioned earlier.

I was actually surprise to find out that Sir Edward Elgar is quite famous, although I've never heard of this dude! When I did manage to hear some of his pieces, I realized that I knew that "Pomp & Circumstance Marches" song right away. I mean who hasn't heard that graduation song in the last 100 years?

I was looking specifically for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra recording, but instead you're just going to have to put up with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version - in D major (conducted by Andre Previn).

The title of the five marches comes from William Shakespeare's Othello:

"Farewell the neighing steed, and the shrill trump,
The spirit-stirring drum, the ear-piercing fife,
The royal banner, and all quality,
Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!".

Trivia: Edward Elgar is on the twenty pound note (at least until last year)!

Pomp And Circumstance, Marches #1,2,3,&4

Lindsay Erika wrote: May 8, 2007 at 2:32 AM

[this is good] As an Anglophile, of course I know Elgar. ~_^ He is one of my favourites, and the only composer in my mind that can stand up to the Russians (Tchiakovsky, Stravinsky, Mussorgsky...). Here is Pomp and Circumstance as recorded by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for Fantasia 2000. I've also uploaded March 1 and March 2 from a late 80s BBC Symphony Orchestra recording. (Anyway, if memory serves, this is the album I got them from.)

And one of my particular favourite Elgar pieces is The Crown of India. Thanks for reminding me how much I love this guy.

TaraLynn wrote: May 8, 2007 at 3:15 AM

Elgar's one of my favorites, too, -a highly imaginitive man! Check out "The Wand of Youth" next. It's based on a story he wrote as a teenager about a world where no grumpy adults could go. He was quite fixated the preservation of innocence.

The Enigma Variations are also incredible. But "thedharmablues" mentioned the queen.... Elgar wrote "the Nursury Suite" and dedicated to Princess Margaret, her older sister Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and their mother. Elizabeth had it performed at her Sweet 16 gala later on.

I've been lucky to be inundated with Elgar. I'm on-air from midnight till 5:30AM EST... Check it out sometime; You can listen online: TheClassicalStation.org

eliz. s. wrote: May 8, 2007 at 8:41 AM

I actually prefer the Enigma Variations to his Pomp and Circumstance. I've posted the Nimrod variation on my vox, as it's my favorite.

vu Links: www.elgar.org