W♥M

We♥KC! June 21-26, 2025 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO)

Read More Modest Mouse Seattle's The Head and the Heart just stopped by First Avenue, in Minneapolis, as part of their national tour in support of Let's Be Still. The album was released last week, October 15th ...

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Congrats to the recent Tony Award winners--

We always keep an eye on them especially, the musical winners as they may take the production on the road, meaning it would likely play in KC.

This year’s Best Musical winner was “Almost Happy Ending” (about two robots in future Seoul, that find friendship and potential love, of all things).

Best Play was given to the dramatic “Purpose” about a prominent political Black family, and which already had won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. He’s also written the book for the upcoming “Prince- Purple Rain” musical, which world-premieres in Minneapolis this fall, so that’s all a very good sign for that production.

On the concert front, fall announcements continue (it looks busy through October, as usual) and Live Nation continues their $30 sale, but as their current bookings are limited in KC, it’s primarily for Starlight shows.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week of June 21st-June 26th.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

SATURDAY JUNE 21

SUNDAY JUNE 22

George Thorogood and the Destroyers, June 22, Uptown, $54-$197

Since 1976, George Thorogood & The Destroyers have sold over 15 million albums, built a catalogue of numerous hits, and played more than 8,000 live shows (and yet, he still “drinks alone”).

Thorogood and his longtime band which includes Jeff Simon (drums, percussion), Bill Blough (bass guitar), Jim Suhler (rhythm guitar) and Buddy Leach (saxophone) should be playing hits like “Get A Haircut”, “I Drink Alone”, “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”, “Move It On Over”, “Who Do You Love” and the anthem “Bad To The Bone” – it’s the baddest show on earth!

MONDAY JUNE 23

Tripping Daisy, June 23, Warehouse on Broadway, $36.15-$42.15

The 90s Dallas psych-grunge band led by Tim DeLaughter (who’d go on to form The Polyphonic Spree) best known for alt-rock hit “I Got a Girl,” broke up in 1999 but have occasionally played reunion shows in Texas in recent years. Now, the band is back together and Tripping Daisy will head out on their first North American tour in 26 years. (I think we saw them at The Bottleneck in the ‘90s...maybe).

The tour will be a 30th anniversary celebration of their 1995 album I Am an Elastic Firecracker (the record containing “I Got A Girl”) and they’ll be playing it in its entirety alongside “timeless favorites from every album.”

TUESDAY JUNE 24

Modest Mouse, June 24, Grinders KC,$59.65-$245.36

Back on the road and back at the venue we saw them at in 2022! The tour follows last April’s expanded re-release of their early 2000s alt-rock gem Good News for People Who Love Bad News. Formed in 1993 in Issaquah, WA, and now based in Portland, Isaac Brock and Modest Mouse have long been a staple of the Pacific NW indie scene.

Their sound ranges from post-punk–influenced tracks inspired by Pixies to the psych-pop stylings of bands like Flaming Lips (both who have been recent tour mates). The band reached mainstream success in 2004 with the hit single “Float On,” they even now have their own themed cruise happening next year!)

Bear Hands w/OK Cowgirl, June 24, recordBar, $41.70

Bear Hands are back out on the 18-date second leg of their ‘The Key to What’ tour., performing songs from their latest album alongside fan favorites from their nineteen-year catalog, including top 20 alternative hits “Giants” and “Back Seat Driver.”

Bear Hands is Dylan Rau (vocals and guitar), Val Loper (bass), and TJ Orscher (drums). Formed in 2006 in Brooklyn, New York, the band gained early attention with their 2010 single “What a Drag,” which led to their signing with Cantora Records. They released their debut album Burning Bush Supper Club, that same year, followed by the critically acclaimed Distraction. Two additional albums followed – 2016’s You’ll Pay For This and 2019’s Fake Tunes.

Arrive early for Brooklyn-based indie rockers OK Cowgirl supporting the release of the deluxe edition of their debut album, Couldn’t Save Us From My Gut, out now via Easy Does It Records. The expanded release includes six bonus tracks, four unreleased demos and two alternate versions.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 25

THURSDAY JUNE 26

Weird Al Yankovic w Puddles Pity Party, June 26, Starlight, sold out

The parody king returns! Weird Al brings his legendary full-production multimedia comedy rock show back to the concert stage with the BIGGER & WEIRDER 2025 Tour, playing his iconic hits as well as some never-performed-live-before fan favorites. Al’s long-time band is joined by four additional players to create a super-sized concert experience.

“Weird Al” Yankovic is the biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history. A 5-time Grammy Award winner, he is best known for his parodies of the biggest musical artists over the last four decades. His many hits include “Amish Paradise,” “Eat It,” “Like a Surgeon,” “Smells Like Nirvana,” “Word Crimes,” and the platinum-selling “White & Nerdy.” His last album Mandatory Fun is the only comedy album in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and in 2022, Yankovic produced and co-wrote the Emmy-winning biopic WEIRD: The Al Yankovic Story, starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Country Stampede (Day One) Luke Bryan, June 26-28 Azura Amph, $99-$219

JUNE 25 UPDATE: Luke Bryan is still having vocal issues, so has canceled ...but the lineup is still strong with The Chief!!   ERIC CHURCH will kindly fill in here and at Luke's other weekend engagements.

Under new and bigger-thinking management (“Kustom Entertainment”), a highly anticipated A-List lineup for the 2025
Country Stampede Festival makes this year’s installment perhaps the most exciting one to date. We ‘ve covered it the last few years and caught Jon Pardi bringing down the house last year.

The three-day fest kicks off on Thursday with Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Drew Baldridge & the winner of their Battle of the Bands contest. In addition to these main stage performances, the festival will showcase local and regional talent on the Platinum Club Stage throughout the weekend, ensuring a diverse and dynamic entertainment experience for attendees.

The fest launched five regional Battle of the Bands competitions with qualifiers in Wichita, KS, Springfield, MO, Omaha, NE, and Columbia, MO, with each market producing a winner to advance to the finals in KC and the overall winner gaining the opportunity to perform in front of thousands at the festival.                

Greensky Bluegrass, June 26, Uptown, (rescheduled from March), $38-$82

The bluegrass jam band had to shift their schedule back in March (“postponed due to unforeseen circumstances”), but are returning on this make-up date, with all previous tickets being honored. The Kalamazoo MI band’s last studio album was 2022’s Stress Dreams.

The band has evolved over the years, growing from 3 to 5 members, adding electric effects, and touring with a full light show. GSBG describes their sound as "their own version of bluegrass music, mixing the acoustic stomp of a string band with the rule-breaking spirit of rock & roll."

   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

Phony Ponies

Read more A horse is a horse, of course, of course, Runaway Horses, Horsing Around, When Animals Attack.

Phonetics On and On by Horsegirl Read More Horsegirl Chicago rock band Horsegirl recently released their debut album Versions of Modern Performance, available now on Matador Records. The all-girls trio, featuring singer/guitarist Penelope …

Horsegirl
horsegirlmusic.com

An update on Horsegirl. This former Chicago trio (Nora Cheng, Penelope Lowenstein, and Gigi Reece) is now based in New York (as of Fall 2022), and they’re about to release their second album Phonetics On and On on Matador Records.

Horsegirl at Fine Line (26 July 2022)

We caught the band in July 2022 and wrote, “A year later, I can let you know that the trio (Penelope Lowenstein, Nora Cheng, and Gigi Reece) seemed to be sharing more vocals/songs between its two singers Penelope and Nora (before it looked like Penelope did most of the heavy lifting). They’ve also seem to downplay their experimental “Sonic Youth” fiddling and seemed focused on being a teenage rock trio. They’re still learning, they’re still evolving... and that’s exciting. Horsegirl’s debut album Versions of Modern Performance is available now on Matador Records.”

To promote the new record, Phonetics On and On, there will be an upcoming tour, see dates below.

Horsegirl Tour Dates

Feb. 22 - Chicago, IL @ Metro ^

Mar. 21 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church %

Mar. 22 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat %

Mar. 23 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings %

Mar. 24 - Richmond, VA @ The Warehouse %

Mar. 26 - Hamden, CT @ Space Ballroom %

Mar. 27 - Somerville, MA @ Arts at The Armory %

Mar. 28 - Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater %

Mar. 29 - Brooklyn, NY @ Warsaw %

June 7 - Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound

June 10 - Hamburg, DE @ Molotow Club

June 11 - Berlin, DE @ Badehaus Szimpla

June 14 - Porto, PT @ Primavera Sound Porto

June 16 - Cologne, DE @ Bumann & Sohn

June 17 - Antwerp, BE @ Trix

June 18 - Paris, FR @ Petit Bain

June 20 - London, UK @ Scala

June 21 - Manchester, UK @ Band on the Wall

June 22 - Glasgow, UK @ Mono

June 24 - Dublin, IE @ The Workman's Club

June 26 - Bristol, UK @ Thekla

^ w/ Lifeguard & Answering Machines
% w/ Free Range

Song of the Year Winner Read More Dan Wilson Singer-songwriter Dan Wilson has been a Los Angeles transplant for several years now, but Minneapolis/St. Paul still claims him as one of our own, and friends, family, and fans all came out, to fill his …

Dan Wilson
danwilsonmusic.com

In November, I was surprised to learn that Dan Wilson (the bandleader for Semisonic) won his first CMA Award for Song of the Year for Chris Stapleton’s “White Horse.”

First of all, I had no idea Dan Wilson wrote that song, but obviously Wilson’s been playing the songwriting game for numerous musicians, including with Adele (“Someone Like You”), the Chicks (“Not Ready to Make Nice”), Pink, Celine Dion, Leon Bridges, Mitski, Claud, Halsey, Weezer, Panic! at the Disco, My Morning Jacket, Dierks Bentley, John Legend, Joy Oladokun, Laufey, and on, and on.

‘Song of the Year’ for CMA Awards, plus ‘Best Country Song; at the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards earlier in 2024, well the song is a huge win for both Stapleton and Wilson.

“White Horse” is Wilson’s second major collaboration with Chris Stapleton following 2015’s “When The Stars Come Out,” and hopefully with these awards, this won’t be the last collaboration.

Dan Wilson at Fitzgerald Theater (22 Sept 2017)

We saw Dan Wilson in Sep 2017 and wrote, “As the stage changed in the 1,000 seat theater, a game board-like hand-drawn image (called an illuminated setlist) gave the audience the musical road map that Dan Wilson would follow during his almost two-hour headlining set. On this tour, he’s managed to tie together three of his biggest passions into a cohesive show- the composing of words and music, and his visual doodles and hand-rendered calligraphy. Wilson initially emerged solo to begin his almost two-hour set, on piano for a rendition of Gabe Dixon’s ‘All Will Be Well’ (“you can keep wooh-ing” he said, still tuning up) but was soon joined by bandmates Brad Gordon (piano) and Andy Thompson (drums) and eventually the Laurel String Quartet, subbing in for the Kronos Quartet that is on the new record.”

Pony Coughing by Nervous Verbs Read More R. Ring R.Ring is Kelley Deal, Kim Deal's twin sister. Kim may sing a note or play a lick on the new record, but R.Ring is all Kelley and some man with a beard. Kim is napping under a big pile of her Pixies reunion ...

Nervous Verbs
danwilsonmusic.com

Remember R. Ring? The Kelley Deal & Mike Montgomery (Ampline) joint? Well Mike is back, this time under the stage name of Nervous Verbs. His debut album, Pony Coughing, will be released worldwide on February 28 via Don Giovanni Records.

With these pre-orders, you can preview the lead single “Vicious Riffs”, available to stream everywhere, to give you a taste of the debut album.

R. Ring at 7th Street Entry (03 May 2015)

We saw R.Ring in and said, “R. Ring is a duo of Kelley Deal and Mike Montgomery, but for this particular show, they were joined by Joe on drums. Joe is going to travel with the two, at least up to San Francisco. With only a handful of published songs, I didn't think the band would play more than 30 minutes. To make up for the lack of songs, they started their set with two The Kelley Deal 6000 songs ("Scary" and "Trixie Delicious") and played every songs they've written... plus throwing in a Shellac cover ("Ghosts"). According to Deal, the KD6k songs were both written in St Paul (Minneapolis' twin city). Deal did most of the vocals, with some exceptions. Montgomery took over singing for "Steam" and the cover song "Ghost".”

On a related note, Kelley Deal released her debut album Nobody Loves You More last November. This was her first solo album in a decade.

take it offff by horsegiirL

horsegiirL
horsegiirl420.komi.io

Berlin-based DJ and producer horsegiirL (not to be confused with Horsegirl) has a six-track EP called v.i.p. that is coming out January 31, 2025, via Three Six Zero Recordings.

In the meantime you can hear her new single “take it offff”, which horsegiirL shares, “Mietze Conte and I spent 3 days in Vienna in the studio and just made the funnest songs in no time and ‘take it offff’ is one of them. It started as a really slow, kinda heartbreaky melody until we decided to speed it up and noticed how sexy the track was. It's encouraging you to get your exercise in 😉”

Like other DJs, like Marshmello or Daft Punk, horsegiirL uses a horse mask whenever she’s working as DJ in the clubs.

Horses by Tobacco City

Tobacco City
scissortailrecords.com

Chicago’s cosmic country band Tobacco City will release their sophomore album called Horses on Scissor Tail Records. On the album, they described it as “taking the listeners on a nostalgic journey through the haze of youth, where time feels suspended and plans are nonexistent.”

The band writes, “We are humbled to give you our second LP: Horses. We made this record with all people we love very much and people we trust deeply. We really hope you love it as much as we do. Enjoy Autumn and talk to you soon! Much more on the way!”

If you like the spirit of ‘70s country with influences from Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, take a ride on Horses.

Horses comes out March 7, 2025.

Briefly

Two Tone Pony twotonepony.com Australian band Two Tone Pony released their debut album Born on The Road. The band formed in 2019 when frontman, David Kirkpatrick, needed to create a band to play at his daughter’s wedding, and “so Two Tone Pony was born.” Born on The Road is Kirkpatrick’s “culmination of a lifetime of stories: from my childhood, from my personal relationships past and present, and from my deep love of the land and its’ people.”

The Pale Horses thepalehorses.bandcamp Canada’s The Pale Horses (not to be confused with Palehorse) released their debut EP Enchantress last October 25, 2024, via Black Throne Productions. The music is described as catchy guitar motifs and shadowy vampiric vocals, particularly with the lead single “Never Know”, which tells the tale of lust and a toxic lover. Despite a debut EP, the band, based out of Hamilton, is listed as dating back to the late 90s as a side project.

ian ian.family Rising St. Louis-born rapper ian announces the new album Goodbye Horses. ian shook up the game upon arrival earlier in 2024, with his debut Valedictorian album generated hundreds of millions of streams fueled by “Magic Johnson” (with over 97 million streams alone), “Figure It Out,” and “Never Stop.” Most recently, he linked up with Lil Yachty on “Hate Me,” reeling in over 54 million streams and counting as well as 10 million-plus views on the Lyrical Lemonade-helmed music video. You guys know how I feel about these common names like Heaven or Boy… it’s impossible to find you guys on the internet.

Devil’s Blind Horse thedevilsblindhorse.bigcartel Rising heavy rock collective Devil’s Blind Horse recently released their new single “Dragon”, available now on all major streaming platforms. The song, featuring vocals from VK Lynne, is described as a mid-tempo, riff-heavy powerhouse, and is the first release from the band, driven by the creative vision of Brazilian-born guitarist, producer, writer and founder Alex Knoll. Alex adds, “THE DEVIL'S BLIND HORSE is an unabashed celebration of all of the things that I love about music. It is the journey in pursuing the music that I hear in my head... ”

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com

Shaboozey at Rock Chalk Block Party, Lawrence KS (2024-09-27)

SHABOOZEY TOUR DATES Sep 29 Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Sep 30 Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom Denver, CO Oct 2 Ascend Amphitheater Nashville, TN Oct 12 Dickies Arena Fort Worth, TX Oct 14 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA Oct 15 The Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, CA Oct 18 Discovery Park Sacramento, CA Oct 30 John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, VA Nov 1 Charleston Coliseum Charleston, WV Nov 4 Heritage Bank Center Cincinnati, OH Nov 6 Little Caesars Arena Detroit, MI Nov 7 Gainbridge Fieldhouse Indianapolis, IN Nov 8 Rupp Arena Lexington, KY Nov 10 Ford Center Evansville, IN Nov 12 CHI Health Center Omaha, NE Nov 13 T-Mobile Center Kansas City, MO Nov 14 Paycom Center Oklahoma City, OK Nov 17 Toyota Center Houston, TX Nov 18 American Bank Ctr. Arena Corpus Christi, TX Nov 19 Moody Center Austin, TX Nov 21 Legacy Arena at the BJCC Birmingham, AL Nov 22 Colonial Life Arena Columbia, SC Nov 23 VyStar Veterans Mem. Arena Jacksonville, FL Dec 3 Dickies Arena Fort Worth, TX Dec 6 Intuit Dome Lennox, CA Dec 7 The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, NV Dec 13 Rolling Loud Miami Miami Gardens, FL Dec 15 Rolling Loud Miami Miami Gardens, FL Dec 16 Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia, PA Mar 19 KOKO London, UK Read More Shaboozey Shaboozey intends to build his own world, determined to carve his own lane in the Alt-Country / Hip-Hop space; he crafts a sound that pays homage to a cast of traditional western influences, such as Bob Dylan, Lead Belly, Johnny Cash, and Leonard Cohen, while looking into the future of what the two genres have yet to introduce.

Ahead of KU’s anticipated football showdown with TCU, the whole of downtown Lawrence happily got “Tipsy”--

Virginia-born Country hip-hop artist Shaboozey headlined the 3rd Annual Rock Chalk Block Party filling the outdoor area on Massachusetts St. between 10th and 11^th, and for blocks beyond.

The night began with a Family Weekend Pep Rally featuring the KU student band, spirit squad, and guest speakers, to rile up the crowd for a conference game the following day, the first this season to take place in the massive Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, as KU’s own Memorial Stadium finishes its building renovations.

Another country/hip-hop artist, Charleston, WV native David Morris opened, in support of his sophomore album, “Bored in the USA”, with its singles, “Dutton Ranch Free Style”, “Carrying Your Love” and the slower “Prettiest Thing”, a song inspired by his wife Melinda.

Morris typically blends his flowed lyrics with trap beats, banjos, slide guitars and mountain fiddles, but on this night, he brought just his drummer, who was so energized and active, he seemed to make up for any other missing live players.

Props to whomever booked Shaboozey, probably close to a year ago, and long before his trademark song was all over radio, topping the charts in America, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden and firmly putting him in the mainstream.

Just two days prior, he had won Best New Artist and New Artist Song in Nashville at the televised People’s Choice Country Awards, traveling from the Grand Ole Opry to the streets of downtown Lawrence, He sings “Me and Jack Daniels got a history” on the single and now has a tour and tour bus sponsored by the liquor, so has truly arrived.

Following two collaborations on Beyoncé's acclaimed “Cowboy Carter” album, he’s followed his smash single "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" with a full album, “Where I've Been, Isn't Where I'm Going” released on his own American Dogwood label with its newest single, “Highway”.

People of ages danced and sang together in the street and though he’s been known to work Bob Seger and Waka Flocka Flame covers, the shorter set time didn’t allow for his full show. For the encore, he re-emerged in a custom blue Jayhawks football jersey to play the song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 and Country Charts at the same time, "A Bar Song (Tipsy)".

It went so well, he played the hit song twice- the second time from the middle of the crowd which re-energized everyone once more, which ended his set and the evening, on a memorable exclamation point. Shaboozey is just getting started and Lawrence was incredibly fortunate to have him perform right as it seems everything is peaking for him. He returns to the area in November, at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, in support of Jelly Roll. “Oh my, Good Lord.”

PHOTOS BELOW BY BRANDON CLASEN

(click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

SHABOOZEY at Rock Chalk Block Party- Lawrence, KS (2024-09-28)

SHABOOZEY at Rock Chalk Block Party- Lawrence, KS (2024-09-28)

DAVID MORRIS at Rock Chalk Block Party- Lawrence, KS (2024-09-28)

Jon Pardi / Billy Currington at Country Stampede (Day 3- Saturday) Azura Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS (2024-06-29)

JON PARDI SETLIST Killin' Time (Clint Black cover) Paycheck Mr. Saturday Night Tequila Little Time All Time High Up All Night (w/ "Three Little Birds"- Bob Marley snippet) What I Can't Put Down Your Heart or Mine Fill 'Er Up Ain't Always the Cowboy Me and Jack Cowboy Hat She Ain't in It Starlight Beer Can't Fix (Thomas Rhett feat. Jon Pardi song) Last Night Lonely Dirt on My Boots Heartache Medication Heartache on the Dance Floor (w/ "La Grange" by ZZ Top guitar intro riff) Night Shift Head over Boots BILLY CURRINGTON SETLIST Hey Girl Good Directions Don't It Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer I Got a Feelin' Love Done Gone Don't That's How Country Boys Roll Let Me Down Easy It Don't Hurt Like It Used To Do I Make You Wanna Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right People Are Crazy We Are Tonight JACKSON DEAN SETLIST Big Blue Sky Trailer Park Duct Tape Heart Don't Take Much Heaven to Betsy Wings Hurricane Train 49 Tons (Fred Eaglesmith cover) What's Up Fearless Sweet Appalachia Daddy Raised 1971 Don't Come Lookin' Red Light REDFERRIN SETLIST Red In My Last Name Stuck Lil Bit (Florida Georgia Line cover) Countryside (Florida Georgia Line cover) Lose Her For Nothing Doin' Life She's like Whiskey Champagne In The Morning Just Like Johnny Ruin my Night Jack and Diet Coke

Country Stampede is an outdoor music festival featuring country music stars, camping, and more in Bonner Springs, KS at Azura Amphitheater, held annually since 1996. Due to flooding concerns, the event moved from Manhattan, KS to Topeka's Heartland Park in 2019. When that location ran into financial difficulties, it moved to its current home for 2024.

Saving the best for last, Day Three of this year’s Festival wrapped on Saturday night, with a barnstorming headlining performance by “Mr. Saturday Night” himself, California singer-songwriter Jon Pardi, who surprised the audience by striding out with his band, twenty minutes before their scheduled time, and playing a full set of hits and favorites.

===

Before that, the day would start with up and coming ACM-nominated duo Neon Union (aka Leo Brooks and Andrew Millsaps) in support of last year’s Double Wide Castle Sessions EP.

Millsaps is NC-raised, bringing an Appalachian and more traditional Country sound, while the Miami-born Brooks has worked with the likes of Ms. Lauryn Hill, Cee-Lo, and John Legend and brings some pop/r&b blend to their mix, as on newest single (and perfect tequila drinking song), “Made in Mexico”.

===

Their set was followed by another relative newcomer, Redferrin, whose debut EP, “Old No. 7” was released in February and also has a drinking single of his own rising up the charts, “Jack and Diet Coke”, which closed his brief daytime set. The Tenn. native (aka Blake Redferrin) grew up as a pro cyclist before growing his mullet out and making a career change, notably collaborating already with Nelly and Florida Georgia Line, and expect his debut full-length album to be finished soon.

===

Before we forget, there was also a second stage, in the venue’s front Platinum club area, which featured local and regional talent; many of which, have strong loyal followings like Jillian Riscoe and Chris Stewart. But oddly, that area was only accessible to VIP ticketholders, so regular patrons were forced to watch their local favorites along a distant fence, instead of supporting them more enthusiastically up close.

===

Nashville (via Maryland) singer-songwriter Jackson Dean (no relation to Billy Dean) is yet another rising artist with a bright future ahead, after signing with Country label powerhouse Big Machine Records in 2021. After a self-titled EP with single, “Wings”, 2022 brought his full-length debut, “Greenbroke” but there’s a follow-up album, due out September 6, that the fans heard several new and yet unreleased songs from.

Dean and his full band really hit their stride mid-way through their near hour-long set, working up steam with their own “Hurricane” and “Train” and following with a lyrically-related Fred Eaglesmith cover, “49 Tons”, which chugged down the track with energy and fervor. After a sweet “Daddy Raised” dedicated to all the fathers in the audience, the new “1971” was stopped dead in its tracks as the power and amps all failed onstage, which left the band confused and shrugging. A quick several minutes, and all was right again, allowing them to finish the song and their set.

===

With sunlight still remaining, Georgia singer-songwriter Billy Currington and band took to the stage for their fifty-five-minute set, peppered with numerous radio hits that had the growing crowd all singing along to. Currington’s last full-length was 2021’s “Intuition”, which was more pop/r&b leaning than his previous efforts, but it was clear the Grammy-nominated singer’s older hits were what the crowd wanted to hear, from “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” to “Don’t” to “Pretty Good at Drinkin’ Beer” to mega hit (and still relevant), “People are Crazy”.

Currington charmed the crowd with his no-frills set, preferring to mostly let the songs do the talking and closed with an anthem of togetherness, “We Are Tonight” that had the audience singing along with their phone flashlights in the air, “Everything we wanna be, yeah we are, we are tonight.”

===

Pardi Time arrived early! After a short backstage video interview by the day’s host, DJ Hish saying he was ready to go, headliner Jon Pardi proved that point by starting twenty minutes before his scheduled set time, to give the fans a well-paced, confident, and hit-filled near ninety-minute closing set.

Pardi and band began with a Clint Black cover (that he and the legend recently sang together at CMA Fest), “Killin’ Time” but Pardi was doing anything but that, going straight into “Paycheck” and the ever-so-appropriate “Mr. Saturday Night”, deviating greatly already from the printed setlist (see pic).

All Country singers seem to have a few drinking songs and “Tequila Little Time” got the fans raising their glasses and into Pardi mode with two fan dancers even joining the band onstage to spin and dip, as the band segued into a Bob Marley classic, and then back into their own “Up All Night”.

The video backdrop lit up for singles “Fill ‘Er Up” and “Me and Jack” and Pardi acknowledged being in the city of the Super Bowl Champions a few times, and was met with chants and tomahawk chops between songs as he complimented Patrick Mahomes’ on-field skills.

Phone flashlights swayed back and forth during 2019’s “Starlight” and with “Beer Can’t Fix” (a song collab with Thomas Rhett) Pardi dedicated to that unselfish person that volunteers to step out to go stand in line for all the beverages for the group. Pardi promised knowing how to dance and treating women right would result in your “Last Night Lonely” and the crowd loudly roared for radio hit, 2017’s “Dirt on my Boots” which he intro’d by saying the Chiefs might be getting a little “dirt on their cleats” as they try for another ring.

A couple of ‘Heartache” songs would follow, with the familiar guitar riff of ZZ Top’s “La Grange” morphing into “Heartache on the Dancefloor” with the band stepping briefly backstage following, only to quickly re-emerge for a stomping “Night Shift” and the sing-along finale of “Head over Boots.”

Due to scheduling, we were only available to cover this year’s Country Stampede on its final day in its new location, which worked very well overall as a venue (we can’t speak for the camping portion though).

Putting their previous location issues in the rear-view and now under new management, the future of the festival looks bright and is already confirmed for 2025; traditionally bringing a unique mix of Country up-and-comers, and well-established veteran headlining acts, to always make for an entertaining weekend.

(note that Billy Currington did not allow photography for his set)

(click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JON PARDI

JACKSON DEAN

JACKSON DEAN

JACKSON DEAN

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REDFERRIN

REDFERRIN

REDFERRIN

REDFERRIN

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

R.I.P. Toby Keith

Toby Kieth recent photo by Katherine Bomboy via Getty

(Read more Musicians who died in 2024)

R.I.P. Toby Keith

Please raise those red Solo cups up in tribute-

The Oklahoma Country singer-songwriter of #1 hits like “Who’s Your Daddy?” and “Made in America” and classics like “Beer for My Horses” (with Willie Nelson) and breakthrough hit, “Should Have Been a Cowboy”, Toby Keith succumbed to stomach cancer on Monday at his home at the age of 62, per his official website via Elaine Schock, his publicist.

Keith had previously announced in the summer of 2022 that he had been diagnosed with stomach cancer and was being treated with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, but found enough strength for a final run of shows in Las Vegas in early December. (We were in Las Vegas during Keith’s run, covering U2 and Miranda Lambert, and are crushed that we didn’t make more of an effort to see him live, one last time).

He was born Toby Keith Covel in rural Clinton, OK on July 8, 1961, one of three children to an oil derrickhand and homemaker, and would live the great majority of his life in the Sooner state. He became first interested in music at his grandmother’s supper club in nearby Fort Smith, AR, eventually getting his first guitar at age eight. He would go on to play high school and semi-pro football, and worked in the oil industry after graduation, while playing in bands along the way.

After years on the bar band circuit, he finally broke through as a solo artist in 1993, with that initial defining single going on to become the most played country song of the decade, reaching the top of the Country charts, and also crossing over onto the Pop Charts as well.

Keith signed with Polydor Records Nashville for his sophomore album, 1994’s “Boomtown” which is when we met him at a radio station-sponsored concert and found him to be a large man with a former football player’s physique, but warm and friendly in conversation. In 1998, he left Polydor for new Nashville imprint, DreamWorks Records and the hits kept on coming.

In 2005 he founded his own label, Show Dog Nashville, which gave him more chart-topping singles like “Get My Drink On” and 2011’s “Red Solo Cup,” which also crossed over to the pop Top 20

Hard work, touring, and clever catchy songwriting (heralded with a 2015 induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame) gave him wide appeal, as Keith usually wrote or co-wrote most of his own songs, and he would release more than 60 singles (twenty of which would top the charts) and logged over 40 million in album sales.

Other musical accolades included numerous CMA, CMT and ACM Awards, including the 2020 Merle Haggard Spirit Award by the Academy of Country Music and in 2021, he was a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts. He also forayed into acting, commercial endorsements, and business ventures, like his well-known line of “I Love This Bar” establishments (that had locations in the KC and Minneapolis metros and more).

Keith was a firm patriot, injecting some of that fervor into some of his songs like the chart-topping, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)”, which would be misunderstood by some, and cause public controversy and some post-9/11 backlash. Politically, Keith was actually a conservative Democrat (later changing to Independent), which surprised many that thought he was more of a stereotypical Republican.

Keith is survived by his mother; his wife of 39 years, Tricia; two daughters; a son; a sister, a brother, and four grandchildren.

Kyle Young, the CEO of The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum released the following statement:

"Toby Keith was big, brash, and never bowed down or slowed down for anyone. His story is a distinctly American one—a former roughneck oil worker who carved out his own space in country music with a sinewy voice and an unbending will to succeed. He wrote his breakthrough songs and later formed his own record label when he felt underserved by Nashville. He relished being an outsider and doing things his way. Proudly patriotic, he didn't mind if his clear-cut convictions ruffled your feathers. For three decades, he reflected the defiant strength of the country music audience. His memory will continue to stand tall."

John C ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ X / twitter.com

Miranda Lambert at Bakkt Theater- Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas NV (2023-12-14)

MIRANDA LAMBERT Setlist Actin' Up Fastest Girl in Town Kerosene Famous in a Small Town Heart Like Mine If I Was a Cowboy Bluebird If You Were Mine (Leon Bridges collaboration) Vice The House That Built Me All Kinds of Kinds Automatic Geraldene In His Arms (with Jon Randall) Amazing Grace (West Texas) (with Jon Randall) Tequila Does/Tequila (The Champs cover) Only Prettier White Liar Carousel Tin Man Mama's Broken Heart Gunpowder & Lead Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home) (Elle King collaboration) Little Red Wagon (Audra Mae and The Almighty Sound cover) Read More Miranda Lambert The Smithereens will be playing Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant. 03/17/2017 Miranda Lambert with Old Dominion and Aubrie Sellers will be at Xcel Energy Center. …

Country invaded the casinos!

With the National Rodeo in town for the weekend, and continuing residencies along the Strip for Garth Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Rodney Carrington, and more, the scene on Las Vegas Blvd, and beyond, was a sea of boots, hats, and Wranglers.

Though not dressed the part, we nevertheless managed our way out West and caught Miranda Lambert live at the Bakkt Theater (formerly Zappos) at Planet Hollywood, for one of her last shows of 2023.

Her successful Vegas residency is called the Velvet Rodeo (even sparking a perfume of the same name) which began its run in the Fall of 2022 and carries on into 2024, with nine new shows announced for the Spring.

The celebrated Longview, TX singer-songwriter began her ninety-five-minute set (no opener) with a sound collage of related audio clips from her two-decade career, only to have her digital name in lights on the screen backdrop purposely fall forward with a thump, as the band kicked in on “Actin’ Up”, the opening track from her most recent album, last year’s “Palomino’ (on RCA Nashville).

Lambert lyrically confessed “I like ‘em crazy” on 2011’s “Fastest Girl in Town” then shouted for everyone to get up for the stomping, ‘Kerosene”, the Steve Earle co-penned single and title of her debut album.

The digital backdrop shifted on “Famous in a Small Town” to storefronts and marquees with Lambert-inspired signs, and she and the band followed that up with the proud to be rough around the edges single,‘Heart Like Mine’, her second-ever song to top the Hot Country Song chart back in 2011.

The inclusion of her recent duet song with Leon Bridges on “If You Were Mine” was a setlist surprise, hats were held high, swaying back and forth for the swooning ballad, ‘Vice’ and the crowd sang along on the touching and personal, “The House That Built Me”.

Another surprise highlight (his time in-person) came mid-set, as one of Lambert’s musical collaborators appeared-, Nashville by-way-of Dallas singer-songwriter Jon Randall, who along with Jack Ingram converged to record the recent Grammy-nominated album The Marfa Tapes, one of her very favorite projects ever, Lambert exclaimed. Randall stuck around for a trio of songs, but Lambert would continue in the Marfa vibe, mashing up “Tequila Does” from that album, with the 1950’s hit by The Champs.

Fan roared even louder whenever Lambert made her way to the second stage, a smaller platform closer to the crowd and connected by a small walkway, to the main stage, which also featured impressive lighting which would frame, accent, and encase her.

2009’s “White Liar”, one of several Lambert co-wrote with Natalie Hemby, a member of The Highwomen and collaborator with Little Big Town and Toby Keith among others, pulled no punches, rebellious in its nature and lyrically honest to a fault. The digital image of a turning merry-go-round embellished last year’s “Carousel” and her 2017 piano ballad “Tin Man’ spoke of the power of the heart.

The show found its late last extra gear with the chugging end of “Mama’s Broken Heart” and the, ahem, firepower of big 2007 radio hit, “Gunpowder & Lead” which found pyro erupting from the stage and sparks even flying from Lambert herself as the fringe on her jacket glimmered as she spun about the second stage.

Without cohort Elle King in the building, Lambert carried on solo with their 2021 hit collab, “Drunk (And I Don't Wanna Go Home)”, though the audience was more than happy to help singing the choruses, with beer bottles held high and as confetti floated down.

With the pyro still firing and the stage bathed in red lighting, 2015’s “Little Red Wagon would end the evening on a silly and fun note, with most of the crowd on their feet and dancing along, as Lambert and band played their last notes, then darted off the stage.

Country may have been everywhere on this weekend in Sin City, but we found our cowgirl of choice at the south end of the Strip, at Planet Hollywood with Miranda Lambert. Her residency resumes March 20^th for another (and potentially final) nine performances.

 

MIRANDA LAMBERT TOUR DATES

MARCH 20 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
MARCH 22 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
MARCH 23 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
MARCH 27 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
MARCH 29 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
MARCH 30 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
APRIL 3 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
APRIL 5 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood
APRIL 6 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood

APRIL 19-20 Ashland, KY Rock the Country Festival
APRIL 27 Indio, CA Stagecoach Festival
MAY 24 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheater
MAY 25 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheater
MAY 26 New Braunfels, TX Whitewater Amphitheater
JULY 12-14 Whitefish, MT Under the Big Sky Festival
JULY 26-27 Anderson, SC Rock the Country Festival
AUG 24 Houston, TX Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show

 

 

 

 

 (Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)    

MIRANDA LAMBERT (Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas NV 2023-11-14)

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT w Jon Randall (Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas NV 2023-11-14)

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT (Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood, Las Vegas NV 2023-11-14)

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

MIRANDA LAMBERT

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

We♥KC! September 19-26, 2023 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS / Topeka, KS)

Read More: Slash Legendary Guns N Roses guitarist Slash is headlining Mill City Nights next Wednesday, October 7th. The show has long sold out. ...

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Whew! Late September remains busy with shows and performances, including several sold out-- Good job, KC in getting out there to see live entertainment and keeping venues full-- this will help as promoters have to decide between bands playing here, or Omaha, Lincoln, or St. Louis, all of which we’ve lost several good shows to.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from September 19th-26th.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 19

Nickelback w Brantley Gilbert, T-Mobile Center, $44-$115+

Get Rollin’! The Canadian rockers have again teamed up with one of Outlaw Country’s finest, in a Rock meets Country collision, that will no doubt feature pyro, anthemic songs, and plenty of bombast.

Nickelback’s first album in five years, Get Rollin’ was released last November via BMG and debuted at #2 across the Current Rock, Alternative, Hard Music and Digital Album charts. The highly acclaimed new album is a thrilling soundscape of adventure, nostalgia and emotional exploration.

Gilbert’s new album is So Help Me God and includes his latest single “Heaven By Then” with Blake Shelton and featuring Vince Gill and is available now.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20

Queens of the Stone Age w/Viagra Boys & Jehnny Beth, Starlight, $29.50-$129.50

QOTSA have returned on their “The End Is Nero Tour,” in support of the band’s new album, In Times New Roman. The North American run will mark QOTSA’s first stateside outing in five years. According to a press release, the band is inviting fans to “come celebrate the end of the world” and “would like to encourage the obscene and the clean, the outcasts and the weirdos, and anyone and everyone in between to attend.”

The Used, Uptown, $49-$99

The band just wrapped a co-headlining spring/summer North American outing with Pierce the Veil. But have hit the road again for more shows. Special guests are Sleeping with Sirens and Dead American. The Used are touring in support of their latest album, Toxic Positivity. Sleeping with Sirens released their newest full-length, Complete Collapse, in 2022.

Behemoth, The Truman, CANCELED

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 21

Bert Kreischer (comedy), T-Mobile Center, $44.75-$140

Wow- the star of “The Machine” is playing arenas- the renowned comedian, actor, host, and author is extending his Tops Off World Tour with 31 new dates this fall.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Uptown, $39-$99

Ahead of his upcoming album, Dirt On My Diamonds, Vol. 1, catch the Opening Date of the blues guitarist’s Fall Tour right here! The new record will be released on November 17th through Provogue Records/Mascot Label Group. The album was recorded at the renowned FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. “Every record I make is a moment in time. And this is a really special moment,” said Shepherd about the new album.

Three Days Grace w Chevelle, Starlight, $29.50-$85

The tour promises a bill of familiar rock radio hits, as both bands have numerous chart-topping songs in their respective discographies. Chevelle will be out in support of their 2021 album, Niratias, while Three Days Grace will be touring on 2022’s Explosions. Relative post-punk newcomers Loathe will open, having risen through the underground via their acclaimed 2020 album, I Let It In and It Took Everything.

Marie Osmond, Prairie Band Casino- Mayetta, sold out.

The Country pop artist and half of Donny and Marie is coming to Mayetta, KS. Her solo hits include: “Paper Roses”, “Meet Me in Montana”, “I’d Love To Be Your Last”, “I Only Wanted You”, and many more!

Herb Alpert & Lani Hall, Kauffman Center, $47 (low tkt alert)

The legendary couple- music icon Herb Alpert and his wife, Lani Hall, GRAMMY Award–winning vocalist and former lead singer of Brasil ’66 with Sérgio Mendes as they perform their classic recordings, "Más Que Nada," "Fool On The Hill," "Going Out Of My Head" and "Daytripper." Alpert is celebrating his 60th year since recording his first hit song, "The Lonely Bull" in 1962. Alpert, Hall and their incredible band present an eclectic mix of American standards, Brazilian jazz, some Beatles, some classic Tijuana Brass and Brasil ’66 songs as well as many surprises. Their shows are informal as Alpert loves to answer questions from the audience about his and Hall’s music careers, A&M Records (he’s the “A” of A&M), and the many artists they have both worked with over the years.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 22

Ringo Starr's All-Star Band, Uptown, Sold Out

Peace and Love- it's a Beatle! 2022 was a busy year for Ringo that included Spring and Fall tour dates with his All-Starr band. Ringo also released EP3 on September 16, and on November 18 EP3 was issued on 10” vinyl and blue cassette and accompanied with a new music video, “Everyone and Everything.” On November 25, Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band Live at the Greek 2019 (Roccabella via BFD/The Orchard) was released on Blu Ray, DVD, CD and a special yellow double vinyl. In addition, Ringo created 500 life sized “Peace and Love” sculptures of his iconic hand symbol. We caught the man and band live, back in 2015.

ZZ Ward w/Jaime Wyatt, The Madrid, $30-$36

Out on her One Hell of a Night Tour, and with two critically acclaimed blues rock albums under her belt, 2012’s 'Til The Casket Drops and 2017’s The Storm, Ward has amassed over 380million streams, multiple radio hits and has collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Fantastic Negrito, Gary Clark,Jr.,and Fitz and the Tantrums. Now an independent artist, ZZ Ward has released two new singles including “Tin Cups” with Aloe Blacc and “Baby Don’t” featuring DijahSB. We've caught her live several times over the past decade.

Jungle Rot, The Granada-Lawrence, $20-$23

The Wisconsin death metallers are out on their "United We Rot Tour 2023" and will feature support from Enforced, Phobophilic, and Molder.

Sammy Kershaw w Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye TPAC Topeka Performing Arts Center, $41-$72.

Three of the voices that defined 90s country music join forces in the Roots & Boots tour. Combined, the trio has amassed more than 40 Top 10 radio smash hits and sold more than 25 million albums. These iconic country artists come together to swap stories and perform their classic songs, all on one stage.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23

Guns n’ Roses w/Alice in Chains, Kauffman Stadium, $25-$375

Continuing their monumental We’re F’N Back! Tour that began in 2021 and is trying to top their Not In This Lifetime… Tour (2016-2019) stands out as the “third-highest grossing tour of all time.” Look for Axl, Slash and Duff to play all the favorites, and maybe even some newer songs, such as recent single, “Perhaps”.

The band has already honed their chops playing abroad to begin this year’s tour, so should be fully homed in playing KC, part of the last leg. Branching out, the band also just sponsored Erik Jones and the No. 43 in the Daytona 500 (!?) and the cinematic music video for “November Rain” recently surpassed 2 billion views,

Alice in Chains plays their premier date as tour support in Kansas City, and fans are still waiting on word about a possible follow-up to the band's "Rainier Fog" album, which came out in August 2018. Look to hear plenty of older favorites in the meantime, and singer William DuVall has already been in the band for 17 years and counting. Longtime AIC fans will recall that the late Layne Staley played his final live show here, in July 1996, as the band opened for the fully reunited Kiss at Kemper Arena.

Lyric Opera presents Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci, Sept 23-Oct 1, Kauffman, $38-$216.

A musical and dramatic double bill that reveals the consequences of infidelity and the rage within us.

Cavalleria rusticana

Turiddu returns from war to find his love, Lola, married to another. In a scheme to induce jealousy, he seduces Santuzza. As swiftly as she is beguiled, Santuzza is discarded while Turiddu begins an affair with his old flame. After the conclusion of Easter mass, passions erupt and expose the ugliness of jealousy. With stirring melodies as iconic as the story, Cavalleria rusticana reveals the consequences of infidelity and the lengths we might go to for revenge.

Pagliacci

The passions of ordinary people take center stage in Leoncavallo’s classic verismo tale of resentment and possession. Drama seeps into the fabric of a small traveling theater troupe led by Canio and his wife, Nedda. When his suspicions of Nedda’s affair are confirmed, Canio must put on a smile and entertain despite his broken heart. Numb to the ugliness of their world, the audience is left to interpret whether the plot before them is theater or reality

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra- In the Key of KC, Helzberg Hall, $20-$72

An official release party- excited to kick off their 21st season with a brand-new recording: In The Key of KC, and you’re invited to come celebrate the release! The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra is proud to reflect the great tradition of music from KC, and energized to present something you can’t hear anywhere else. Featuring new originals and swinging standards and the incredible talent of vocalist Eboni Fondren.

Motionless in White w Knocked Loose, After the Burial, Alpha Wolf, Uptown, Sold Out

It's being billed as their biggest headlining tour in North America to date as the band continues to tour on the strength of their most recent album, last year's Scoring the End of the World. The record peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart upon release and features cuts in "Cyberhex," "Masterpiece," "Werewolf" and the title track, as well as "Slaughterhouse," which features a guest appearance by Knocked Loose vocalist Bryan Garris.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 24

Owl City w Augustana, The Truman, sold out.

Minnesota electro pop artist Adam Young returns with new album, “Coco Moon”. He broke through with massive hit "Fireflies"-a 2009 release that reached No. 1 in 26 countries. "The goal with this new music was to get back to how I felt when I wrote my first song alone in my bedroom when I was 18 years old," Young says of Coco Moon, Owl City's seventh full-length effort and the follow-up to his powerhouse 2018 album Cinematic. "It was this very pure, euphoric moment when I realized that I could immediately be transported into another world that I'd made myself. I had no agenda beyond creating that feeling-it's why I got started making music, and it's what I want to keep fighting to attain."

Meanwhile, Dan Layus aka Augustana is well-known for its anthemic indie-rock leaning hits like "Boston," "Sweet and Low" and "Steal Your Heart," but changes gears somewhat on his latest studio album, "Everyday an Eternity: Solo Piano Works.”

Quarters of Change, the Bottleneck-Lawrence, $16-$19

Rising NYC indie rock quartet Quarters of Change are on the road for their 20-show Fall headline tour, in support of new album, Portraits set to arrive on January 26, so this show will be a preview of their new music. Never Ending Fall, The Blast Monkeys will open.

In advance of the upcoming album, the four [Ben Acker (guitar, bass, synths), Attila Anrather (drums), Jasper Harris (guitars, bass, synths), and Ben Roter (vocals, guitar] released singles "What I Wanted," "Hollywood Baby" and "Do or Die." They describe each single as a fragment of a larger portrait, hence the album’s name. In this body of work, the focus falls on themes of addiction, isolation, and exploration in this follow-up to their 2022 full-length debut, Into The Rift.

Bryce Vine The Interstate Tour, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $29-$35

Since popping off with the double-platinum smashes “Drew Barrymore” and “La La Land”, Vine has tallied up more than 3 billion streams to date and delivered a series of performances on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE! Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ’N Out, The Late Late Show with James Corden, Live with Kelly and Ryan, Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and more. He’s pushed himself and collaborated with the likes of Loud Luxury, Two Friends, Wale, lovelytheband, Train, FITZ, Cheat Codes, Parmalee, Jeremih, and more. Should be an energetic show--

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25

Walter Isaacson (author) in conversation, Kauffman Center, $49-$70 (incl signed book)

The author will be in conversation with David Von Drehle of The Washington Post as he introduces his new book, Elon Musk. Each paid patron will receive an autographed copy of the book.

From the author of Steve Jobs and other bestselling biographies, Elon Musk is the astonishingly intimate story of one of the most fascinating and controversial innovators of our era—a rule-breaking visionary who helped to lead the world into the era of electric vehicles, private space exploration and artificial intelligence, and took over the platform now known as X.

Walter Isaacson is the bestselling author of biographies of Jennifer Doudna, Leonardo da Vinci, Steve Jobs, Benjamin Franklin and Albert Einstein. He is a professor of history at Tulane and was CEO of the Aspen Institute, chair of CNN and editor of Time. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal in 2023.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 26

Nothing But Thieves, Truman, $27.50-$55

Nothing But Thieves are a UK rock band from Southend-On-Sea / Essex who formed in 2012, the band have racked up a cult following over the course of their career, putting out a total of five albums to date, with the most recent being 'Dead Club City' in July 2023 (on RCA/Sony Music). We caught them live last back in 2016 at Fine Line in Minneapolis, a quick return appearance following an in-demand and sold-out show at a smaller venue just a few months prior. Gritty Hastings, UK four-piece band Kid Kapichi will provide support.

Avenged Sevenfold w Falling in Reverse, T-Mobile Center, $34-$500.

A7F are back out on their Life is But A Dream…North American tour after releasing the group’s first single in seven years, “Nobody”,from their newest album Life is But A Dream… To date, Avenged Sevenfold have sold over 10 million albums worldwide and earned two consecutive No. 1 LPs on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart (2010’s Nightmare and 2013’s Hail To The King) to go along with over a billion video views and a billion-plus Spotify streams, as well as multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio. We last caught the band (M. Shadows, Synyster Gates, Zacky Vengeance, Johnny Christ and Brooks Wackerman) live as support for Metallica at the first-ever rock show at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Falling in Reverse has amassed a song catalog that has already clocked over 2.7 billion streams. Another recent single "Voices In My Head" garnered over 95 million streams and was the #1 song of 2022 at SiriusXM's Octane, while "Zombified" has clocked 120 million and topped the active rock charts. Kim Dracula listed as support as well.

Brian Culbertson, The Midland, $49.50-$64.50

The jazz fusion multi-instrumentalist is out on his Trilogy Tour- over the course of crafting a 25-album catalog and building nearly 40 Billboard No. 1 singles as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer, Culbertson has charted his own unique course. Label him jazz and he makes a funk record. Call him an R&B artist and he drops an acoustic jazz trio collection. Brand him pop and he creates a 32-minute New Age opus. Whether you’re listening to music from “The Trilogy” on record or live in concert, you’re hearing an eclectic, entertaining and engaging set from a peak artist.

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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 ♥ 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! May 2-8, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Topeka / Lawrence, KS)

Read More Robert Plant The English musician best known as the lead singer and lyricist for Led Zeppelin, will be headlining the Orpheum Theatre. Billed as Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, .… …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Mayday, Mayday!

The alert is that May is here, signaling the beginning (as evidenced by last weekend’s NFL Draft concerts and Kelce Jam) of outdoor concert season and a summer jam-packed with shows. Starlight takes the lead with a stellar upcoming show from Robert Plant / Alison Krauss, there’s a couple arena shows this week, and Knuckleheads looks as busy as usual.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from May 2nd-May 8th.

TUESDAY MAY 2

Janet Jackson w Ludacris, T-Mobile Center, $39.95-$499.95

The five-time GRAMMY®️ Award-winning Rock and Roll Hall of Fame®️ Inductee has returned to the road after four years with her ninth concert tour, “Together Again.” The tour will offer the long-awaited chance to reunite with Jackson in celebration of her 50th anniversary in entertainment and spotlight the milestones for two of Jackson's most critically acclaimed albums- 25 years of "The Velvet Rope", and 30 years of "janet."plus other mega hits, so expect some three-dozen classics during the evening.

3x-Grammy Award winning recording artist and Fast & Furious actor, Ludacris will open.

Skinny Puppy w Lead into Gold, Liberty Hall-Lawrence, $38.50-$174

The Canadian industrial icons are celebrating their 40th anniversary and are doing so by announcing what they're calling their "Final Tour." “It’s been eight long years since we’ve toured and there is no better way to end our run as a group than with a tour celebrating our 40th anniversary,” stated the band in a press release. “To our West Coast fans, don’t worry! We’ll see you soon!”

2013’s Weapon is the most recent LP in Skinny Puppy’s long discography.

Foreigner w Cage Willis, Stormont Vail Events Center- Topeka, $49.50-$120

The band, formed in1976 by British guitarist Mick Jones, is out on its Farewell Tour which runs through the end of 2024 and Topeka gets one of the early dates. Foreigner has released nine studio albums and sold more than 50 million records worldwide. They have had nine top 10 singles on the Billboard Hot 100, including rock radio staples such as “Feels Like the First Time,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and the power ballad “I Want to Know What Love Is.”

Jones, the last original member still active, has become something of a special guest at the band’s concerts, not attending every show due to health reasons and playing only during the latter portion of the set. Singer Kelly Hansen as been lead vocalist since joining in 2005.

Southern rock artist Cage Willis has his debut album Who I Am just out, featuring singles “Hallucinate” and “Way Out Here” and was produced by songwriter Chris Robertson of Black Stone Cherry

Les Miserables, May 2-7, Music Hall, $36-$126

Seen by over 130 million people in 53 countries and in 22 languages around the globe, Les Miz is as popular as ever! Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award-winning musical phenomenon.

Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Les Misérables tells a story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. The score includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more.

WEDNESDAY MAY 3

John Butler, The Folly, $40-$58.50

(Note: Knuckleheads Presents the show, but it is at The Folly)

One of Australia’s premiere indie alternative songwriter/ storytellers, Butler’s most recent studio album, 2018’s ‘HOME’, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Charts and a Live in Paris release just came out, from John Butler Trio.

moe., The Truman. $30-$60

The longtime jam band (Al Schnier (guitars, vocals) * Chuck Garvey (guitars, vocals) * Rob Derhak (bass, vocals) * Jim Loughlin (percussion, vibes) * Vinnie Amico (drums) first formed at the Univ of Buffalo back in 1990. 2020's THIS IS NOT, WE ARE is the band's 12th studio album and first since 2014.

 

THURSDAY MAY 4

Dragon Inn 3, Blip Roasters, Free! (more info here)

KC-based indie pop/synth band Dragon Inn 3- led by Phil Dickey, co-founder of indie-pop band Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin just released their sophomore album Trade Secrets on American Laundromat Records. The idea behind the foursome (Grace Bentley- vocals. Philip Dickey- synths, drums, guitar, bass, vocals. Sharon Hamm- synths. David Hill- synths) began as more of an experiment a decade ago by Dickey, running concurrently with SSLYBY (who we last caught live back in Minneapolis in 2013 and also in Brooklyn in 2009).

Their synth-driven sounds were polished and defined on their 2018 debut, Double Line, with the band mostly hunkered down (like most of us) as the pandemic years passed. For Kansas City fans, they’ve finally returned to the live stage, with Phil and Grace playing a special acoustic show in the Crossroads district, to showcase the new songs and play some old favorites.

Daniel Rodriguez, Knuckleheads, $20

The Colorado singer-songwriter is still out in support of his third studio album, Vast Nothing and we caught him live, opening an all-Colorado lineup featuring The Lumineers last summer. He is also a founding member of Elephant Revival and wrote some of their most well-known songs before they disbanded in 2018.

Brooks and Dunn w Scottie McCreery, T-Mobile Center,$24.75-$164.75

Country’s most-awarded duo pull on their cowboy boots once again to continue their Reboot Tour which first launched in 2021. The tour is named after the duo's 2019 collaboration album "Reboot," which includes the pair singing with artists including Luke Combs, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson and Jon Pardi.

Orianthi, Knuckleheads,$32.50-$50

The platinum-selling artist and one of the best rock guitarists today, is out supporting studio album, “Rock Candy” which came out last October. and is described as a hard rockin’, blues tinged, display of Orianthi’s guitar playing and soulful vocals. She’s played with the likes of Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana, Carrie Underwood, Alice Cooper, ahem...Ritchie Sambora, and lately Tracii Guns,

FRIDAY MAY 5

Air Supply, Ameristar Casino, $68-$240

The Aussie soft rock duo started all the way back in 1975 in Melbourne and is still going today – America seems never "All out of Love" to hear their songs. In addition to their own classic hits, they’ve been working in their version of Nilsson’s “Without You” into their encores.

Against the Current w Trophy Eyes, Yours Truly, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$28

The NY-based pop-punk trio dropped their new single, “good guy.” which vocalist Chrissy Costanza describes the track as “all about going from anger to apathy, recognizing that this person that hurt you is too sad to hate,” urging listeners to “don’t ignore the red flags, trust your gut.”

The band’s career spans over a decade, forming in 2011 before releasing their debut studio album, In Our Bones, in 2016, followed by 2018’s Past Lives, and have also released several EPs.

Robert Plant / Alison Krauss, Starlight, $37-$175

The legendary Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and bluegrass innovator and 27-time Grammy winner Alison Krauss have finally reunited again on their Raising the Roof Tour. More than 15 years after their initial critically acclaimed and award-sweeping collaboration, Plant and Krauss are now touring in support of their most recent album, "Raise the Roof," released last November.

It's their first LP together since their 2007 collaboration, "Raising Sand." Plant and Krauss have included songs from both albums in their new sets as well as their unique versions of Zeppelin/ Page Plant songs "The Battle of Evermore," "Rock and Roll," and "Please Read the Letter." Expect other covers from the likes of Calexico, The Everly Brothers, and Allen Toussaint. We caught Plant solo in Minneapolis in 2018, and think the magical combination of these two, outdoors under the stars, will undoubtedly make for a memorable show.

JD McPherson to open, who we saw solo at the MN State Fair back in 2017, and who is also a part of the headlining band.  

Eddie Griffin,(comedian Uptown. $39.50-$122

The hometown comedian returns with a brand new hilarious show. Born in Kansas City, by the young age of 16, he opened his own dance studio and was choreographing the Kansas City Chiefs halftime shows, but his career would later lead down the comedy path and also into acting.

Amythyst Kiah, Knuckleheads, $17.50

The Chattanooga, TN singer/songwriter is making waves with her Rounder Records debut, Wary + Strange, after earning a Grammy Award nomination for Best American Roots Song and winning Song of the Year at the 2019 Folk Alliance International Awards (in Kansas City). “For anyone who’s struggled with grief or trauma or felt left out and weird and like they didn’t belong, I hope this album lets them know that they’re not alone in that feeling,” says Kiah.

SATURDAY MAY 6

Knuckle Puck & Real Friends w Between You and Me, The Truman, $28-$30

Knuckle Puck formed in 2010 in the suburbs of Chicago releasing several EPs, one of which, While I Stay Secluded, peaked at 5 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. The band announced last Fall that they had signed with Pure Noise Records and released a new single “Groundhog Day.” Their upcoming 4th LP will release in 2024. We caught them live last, back in 2015 in Minneapolis.

49 Winchester with The Weathered Souls, Knuckleheads. $20

With its latest and fourth album, “Fortune Favors The Bold,” (their debut for Nashville’s New West Records) the VA-based band is ready to break onto the national scene with its unique brand alt-country, barroom floor rock-n-roll, and high-octane Appalachian folk.

Formed eight years ago in the small mountain town of Castlewood, VA, the band started as a rag tag bunch of area teenagers who just wanted to get together for the sake of playing together but are now making a larger impact.

Black Dahlia Murder w/ Terror, Frozen Soul, Fuming Mouth, and Phobophilic, Granada-Lawrence,$25

The rockers are back out on their first tour since the tragic death at age 41 of lead vocalist Trevor Strnad, with guitarist Brian Eschbach since taking over on lead vocals. They’re remembering how one of Trevor's roles was uplifting young and new bands, and how they plan to do their best to continue to do this. This tour includes three of the most promising newer metal and/or hardcore bands around (Frozen Soul, Fuming Mouth, and Phobophilic), along with hardcore vets Terror.

Sondheim on Sondheim, May 6-7, Kauffman Center, $33.50-$139.50

Sondheim on Sondheim is an intimate portrait of the famed songwriter through his beloved songs and words. With exclusive interviews interspersed among favorite songs, audiences get an inside look at the renowned composer’s personal life and artistic process. Honoring the legacy of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away in November 2021, this production features various vocal stylists accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony. 

SUNDAY MAY 7

Built to Spill w Prism Bitch, Itchy Kitty (rescheduled), Madrid Theatre, $35-$59.50

The longtime alternative Boise, ID group is back on tour behind new album When the Wind Forgets Your Name. We caught the band last in Georgia back in 2016. The live band throughout the tour will be comprised of Doug Martsch, bassist Melanie Radford, and drummer Teresa Esguerra. With two interesting openers, it’s a full night of entertainment.

MONDAY MAY 8

nada

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