AJR, June 1, Starlight
Read More
 |
AJR
Indie pop brother trio, AJR (Adam, Ryan, and Jack), will be joining this “Hell No” tour. AJR is certain ‘ready’, after their smash hit ‘I’m Ready’ hitting US Certified Platinum. …
|
|
Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
June starts strong with several good shows this coming week but it’s happening again! - there are a few nights where you’ll have to pick and choose the act you want to see most and expect to see that more, as the summer season rolls on.
Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro June 1st - 7th
(Several artists are still requiring precautions for entry, so check with the venue and/or assume vaccination proof and possibly a mask, might still be required)
Wednesday June 1
AJR, June 1, Starlight. $29.50-$69.50
Brothers Adam, Jack and Ryan Met are out on their OK Orchestra Tour and just signed with Mercury/Universal Records. Their music blends indie-pop, doo-wop, and electronic and recent radio hits, “Bang” and “All My Favorite Songs” (with Weezer) are inescapable.
The trio is even working on a stage version of the classic children's’ book, Harold and the Purple Crayon and look to hear the new song “I Won’t” live, along with a trumpet solo played on a treadmill…!
Thursday June 2
Dan Tyminski Band, June 2, Granada- Lawrence, $30-$40 
Brother, where art thou? - why, he’ll be in Lawrence with his band! With Alison Krauss prepping to tour again with Robert Plant, the Union Station member is hitting the road on his own. Winning the Bluegrass Star Award last year, he’s no man of constant sorrow, though expect those songs and maybe a Townes Van Zandt cover live too.
Avi Kaplan, June 2, Knuckleheads, $18
The California singer-songwriter just released his debut solo album, Floating On A Dream(on Fantasy Records, produced by Shooter Jennings) and you probably know him best as formerly of Pentatonix, with his distinctive basso profondo voice.
Arrive early for opener Andrea von Kampen, whose new album That Spell, is also released on Fantasy Records. She often collaborates with her brother David, who does string arrangements, and is Lincoln, NE-based, so just might bring some of her fan base to town.
Friday June 3
Parker Millsap Band, June 3, Knuckleheads. $20
We’ve had this Oklahoma roots/Americana singer on our radar since 2014, and last caught him live in St. Paul last fall. Latest album is 2021’s Be Here Instead with lead single, “Dammit”, his biggest success to date. Elton John self-professes to be a fan as well. Young Houston singer-songwriter Thomas Csorba is scheduled to open.
Wheeler Walker Jr., June 3, Uptown. $30-$75
Now this could be interesting! - The aka Ben Hoffman has released four highly profane and very explicit country albums under his alter ego name. Latest release is April’s Sex, Drugs and Country Music (on Thirty Tigers) and this show is not recommended for youngsters or the easily offended.
Aly and AJ, June 3, The Truman, $28.50-$55
(Rescheduled from an earlier date) You’re probably familiar with these sisters either from their music or perhaps acting career (any iZombie fans out there?), and they’ve returned to the road in support of a fourth studio album and their Touch of the Beat Tour.
The pair made unlikely recent news, was when their tour bus was caught in a fatal crossfire of gun play in Sacramento but were unhurt. Playing live, they just might throw in a Tegan and Sara cover live too.
Birmingham, AL indie rock band The Brummies to open.
Saturday June 4
Haim w/ Sasami, June 4, Starlight. $39.50-$99.50
Indie-rock sisters Este, Alana, and Danielle are out on their One More Haim Tour, in support of 2020’s Grammy nominated Women in Music Pt. III on what should be a fun outdoor night (assuming any rain holds off). Alana made acting waves co-starring in the successful indie film Licorice Pizza (with both sisters making cameos) and the band plans on making the soundtrack for upcoming Netflix animated film, The Witch Boy.
Plan to arrive early for opener Sasami, also from California and whose second full-length is February’s Squeeze (on Domino Records). For the album, she worked with Rin Kim and Andrew Thomas Huang (a Chinese-American visual artist who worked with Björk and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke) for the visual identity of the album (though as an opener, we’re not sure how much she’ll be able to reveal of that). We caught her live just last month in a club headlining gig.
The Band Camino, June 4, The Truman. $29.50-$55
Nashville (by way of Memphis) indie-rock/electro band is out in support of their self-titled debut (on Elektra Records) after a trio of previous EPs, and they’ve had previous collaboration success working with NOTD and Chelsea Cutler. Recent singles, “1 Last Cigarette” and Daphne Blue” have made radio impact as well.
Toronto twenty year-old singer-songwriter renforshort and Nashville pop-punk indie band Games We Play have been tapped as support acts.
Ambrosia, June 4, Ameristar. $32-$48
The LA soft rock band has been in existence since 1970 (!?) and is best known for radio hits like “How Much I Feel”, “Biggest Part of Me” and Holdin’ on to Yesterday” and has been nominated for five Grammy Awards.
JJ Grey and Mofro, June 4, Knuckleheads. $37.50
Popular Jacksonville Southern soul rock band is back on the road and seeing them live is usually the best place to hear their feel-good songs. Nebraska soul rock group Kris Lager Band scheduled to open.
John Waite, June 4, Ranch Mart Center, Free!
The legendary English vocalist has returned with a new EP, Anything, with its title track being one of much-needed optimism in a world that needs it so. In addition to his solo classics, expect the setlist to draw from previous bands The Babys and Bad English as well, and Waite soon hits the road in much bigger venues with Rick Springfield and Men at Work, so this is a rare (and free!) chance to see him up close.
Sunday June 5
The War on Drugs, June 5, Grinders KC, $36-$71
Count us as fans of this Philadelphia indie rock band (as well as former member Kurt Vile) out in support of highly-acclaimed fifth studio album, 2021’s I Don’t Live Here Anymore. Live, they’ve recently been working in a Bob Dylan and/or Neil Young cover in here and there, amongst their already impressive songs of their own.
No opener listed, so it just might be An Evening With, so arrive on time.
Lord Huron, June 5, Starlight. $39.50-$75
LA indie rock band hits the road in support of their latest album, "Long Lost." which captured the #1 on The Americana/Folk Album and Tastemaker Albums Chart, #2 on Vinyl Albums & Alternative Albums chart, and #3 on the Top Rock Albums Chart.
We’ve followed and documented the band for a decade, seeing them in the tiny 7th St Entry in 2012, in Brighton UK in 2013, at First Avenue in 2014, and on from there, yeah, so we’re definitely fans.
Nashville singer-songwriter Erin Rae, who has a new album, Lighten Up out, to open.
Tuesday June 7
Slipknot with Cypress Hill and Ho99o9, June 7, Azura Amphitheater. $39.50-$99.50
Knotfest Roadshow is making a local stop, and this triple bill will no doubt deliver a head-banging and ummm, at times a smoke-filled evening of entertainment. New music is on the horizon so it’s possible to maybe hear some live (you can also check thechapeltownrag.com).
South Gate, CA rappers Cypress Hill are still insane in the membrane but also have returned with new album Back in Black, and openers Ho99o9 (pronounced “horror”) are New Jersey horror-punk, so fit the bill rather well.
Jackson Browne, June 7, KC Music Hall, $50.50-$252.00
At 73 years young, Jackson Browne continues on the road, in support of last year’s Downhill from Everywhere and has been playing arenas along with James Taylor, so this solo gig is a chance to not have to see him from the distant upper decks. Expect a few newer songs peppered in amongst his over five decades of classic songs.
The Wailers, June 7, Knuckleheads, $20
Formed in 1989 by Aston “Family Man” Barrett to carry on in the classic tradition of Bob Marley and band. Since Barrett himself retired, we’re not exactly sure who is in the band (his son is drummer and bandleader however), but expect positive vibrations to lively up yourself to emanate from their classic songs.
"Hairspray", June 7-12, Starlight, $15-$98
Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon returns with the classic story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she dances her way onto TV’s most popular show.
Hit songs like “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” are included in this all-new touring production reuniting Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
Recent Comments