W♥M

We♥KC! October 1, 2, 3, 2024 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence, Topeka KS)

Read More: Judas Priest Legendary metal band Judas Priest is back in the U.S. to promote their new studio Firepower. I believe for this tour, former Sabbat guitarist Andy Sneap will be one of the twin guitarist. …

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Rocktober is here!

Perhaps the busiest month of the concert season, bands are working in live dates before the inevitable holiday break. Less talk, more rock, so let’s get to some shows!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from October 1st to 3rd.

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

TUESDAY OCTOBER 1

Nicki Minaj, Oct 1, T-Mobile Center, $59.50-$299.50

MInaj has finally made it back to KC on the second leg of her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, with 22 new dates on her largest tour to date. “Pink Friday 2,” Minaj’s fifth studio album, was released last December featuring guest spots from Drake, J. Cole, and more, and is her first LP since 2018 and the sequel to 2010’s “Pink Friday” album which was released a decade ago.

“I love you guys so much. I am so grateful for the years of support & love you have given me. At times maybe I didn’t even deserve all that you have poured into me.” Minaj wrote. Tyga, Bia and Skillibeng listed as support.

Judas Priest w/ Sabaton, Oct 1, Cable Dahmer, Independence, $22-$169

The heavy metal titans are out on leg 2 of their Invincible Shield Tour with special guest Sabaton with another 23 dates, that bring them to the eastern suburbs of the metro, in support of latest album, “Invincible Shield”.

Produced by Live Nation, this tour leg wraps with three shows in Texas on Oct, 22, 24 and 26 and of course, the screaming for vengeance lead vocals of the Metal God, Rob Halford, make it a ‘must-see’ show. Sebaton’s concert film, “The Tour to End All Tours” is in cinemas in a couple weeks, so taking in their live set is a perfect intro to the full filmed spectacle.

Wilderado w/ Ethan Tasch and The Takes, Oct 1, Madrid, $25-$39+

The indie-folk band from Tulsa, OK takes you into that expansive atmosphere with soaring vocals, rumbling guitars, and a sense of belonging with their open-road, Americana-inspired feel. Wilderado’s sophomore LP, Talker, is just out, via Bright Antenna Records.

When they initially came together, Max Rainer (lead vocals, guitar), Tyler Wimpee (guitar, vocals) and Justin Kila (drums) spent a summer in a secluded part of Malibu, with longtime Sufjan Stevens collaborator James McAlister, immersing themselves in writing and recording. Those songs went on to form early EP releases. In addition, they have accrued 175+ million streams and 3+ million monthly listeners across platforms.

Jonathan Richman, Oct 1, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $25

The famed singer-songwriter and cult icon takes the stage for a bare-bones, acoustic set — a departure from the norm of Richman’s early musical performing career. He’s now 72, and known for his enthusiastic, wide-eyed stage presence and earnest lyricism. He’s the founding member of the seminal band The Modern Lovers, which many critics say influenced the punk movement of the early 1970s. Richman’s original band included keyboardist Jerry Harrison, who later joined Talking Heads, and drummer David Robinson, who would join The Cars.

Since The Modern Lovers disbanded in the late 1980s, and with his punk days largely behind him, Richman’s solo career has spanned 18 albums and this acoustic tour, accompanying by only a drummer, will give extra retrospective to the songs and lyrics.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 2

Skillet / Seether, Oct 2, the Midland,$49.50-$85

GRAMMY®-nominated, 22x platinum, Pandora Billionaires Club members Skillet are thrilled to hit the road this fall with another one of the best-selling rock bands of the 21st century, Seether. These are two of the rock scene's biggest acts of the past two decades and the tour kicked off September 17th in Asheville, NC, making its way west to us in KC.

"We're really stoked about the upcoming tour — we've put together a killer package! It's always nice to tour with bands that you're a fan of and that bring it live. Co-headlining with Skillet is going to be a blast; we'll have to bring our A Game. It should be a great show," states Seether.

“We’re glad to be back on the road with our friends in Seether again," says Skillet. "We’ve talked about going out together for a while, but after we played a show together this summer that drew big numbers, we knew it was time."

Tim Montana and Royale Lynn scheduled to open, so arrive early.

Decartes a Kant, Oct 2, recordBar, $20

Experience retrofuturistic duality- the Mexican band is ready to give shows in different cities of the country, with a retro-futuristic proposal full of theatrical elements that will make this a memorable show.

Led by three women- Sandrushka (vocals/guitar), Defne (vocals/guitar/violin) and Ana (bass/synth) The experimental prog-punk synth indie band is a “futuristic artifact that performs the function of repairing any emotional damage that may afflict humans and who will fulfill the sound desires of cities“(...wow, man).

Descartes to Kant is a band with a wide mix of musical influences such as electronic, pop, punk, among others; taking those who listen to them and enjoy their live performances out of orbit, standing out for their authentic stage-musical language, enveloping us in a surreal, challenging and sophisticated narrative.

Rival Sons, Clutch, Black Stone Cherry, Oct 2, Uptown, $49.50-$60

Clutch and Rival Sons have teamed up for a 2024 North American tour dubbed “The Two-Headed Beast” tour, and features Black Stone Cherry as support here, for basically a Three-Headed Beast. The tour kicked off September 5th in Brooklyn and runs through Oct.10th show in Las Vegas.

“We are looking forward to our tour with Rival Sons,” said Clutch singer Neil Fallon. “Throughout the course of our set, Clutch will be performing Blast Tyrant. Both bands have plenty of mutual fans and will garner many more throughout the course of ‘The Two Headed Beast’ tour. We hope to see you there!”

Rival Sons guitarist Scott Holiday added, “We’ve wanted to put something together with Clutch for a long time. They’re one of the acts that we could notice people rep’ing at our shows, so we’ve always thought it could make a great double bill! Happy to bring the ‘Two-Headed Beast’ to life! The riff will be strong on this tour …as will the good times!”

Point North, Oct 2, Bottleneck- Lawrence, $25-$27

The LA-based rock band hits the road for only their second ever headline tour. Having released their sophomore record ‘Prepare For Despair’ to acclaim in August 2023, they’ve spent the year on tour as support for bands from Atreyu to From Ashes To New, and on festival main stages.

With recent breakout hits ‘Safe And Sound (ft. The Ghost Inside)’ and ‘Below The Belt (ft. Set It Off)’ both hitting the top 20 at rock radio, with the former hitting number 1 on the secondary market chart, the band now bring ‘Prepare For Despair’ on their own tour, along with fan favorites from their debut LP ‘Brand New Vision’. The band bring along a support bill of openers Nevertel, Elijah and Rivals.

Newest single is “Bring Me Down”, of which the band says, “This song is just about toxic relationships and feeling isolated. It touches on feeling like no one is really out for your best interest and only after their own. It also reflects on growing older and becoming more aware of who you surround yourself with and what relationships are worth keeping.”

Mickey Guyton, Oct 2, Knuckleheads-CANCELED

THURSDAY OCTOBER 3

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Oct 3, Liberty Hall-Lawrence, $37-$71

April 2023 marked the 30-year anniversary of the LA swing band’s arrival onto the music scene. Since its formation in the early nineties in Ventura, CA, the band has toured almost nonstop, performing more than 150 shows a year, and has produced a sizable catalog of recorded music, with sales of over 2 million albums to date.

The band, co-founded by singer Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, was at the forefront of the swing revival, blending a vibrant fusion of the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland, with the energy and spirit of contemporary culture. It also includes Dirk Shumaker (double bass and vocals), Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone and vocals), Glen “The Kid” Marhevka (trumpet), Karl Hunter (saxophones and clarinet) and Joshua Levy (piano and arranger).

After 30+ years, 11 records, over 3000 live shows, and countless appearances in film and television, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is showing no signs of slowing down.

DJ Shadow, Oct 3, The Madrid, $35-$65+

The legendary DJ (can you believe it’s been three decades since 1996’s “Endtroducing….) is out on a second leg of dates that opens right here in KC, to celebrate his latest album Action Adventure. The North American Action Adventure Tour stops in cities that the pioneering DJ and producer hasn’t played in years. His eighth album was released in October on Mass Appeal / Liquid Amber and features 14 mostly instrumental tracks that represent a continued sound evolution.

Leading up to the release, Shadow released music videos for album singles “Ozone Scraper” and “You Played Me” - two songs that show off the synth-heavy sonic worlds that he explores throughout the record. “You Played Me” was the result of serendipity, dropping the needle on an a capella track of a record he’d never listened to, over a beat that recalls a lost early 80s R&B classic.

He says of the track, “it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made.” The music video was filmed in a still-operating cassette tape manufacturer in Springfield, MO- National Audio Company- and Shadow has been hiding cassette tapes of the single at indie record stores worldwide.

Jimmy Webb, Oct 3, Knuckleheads, $42.50-$60

The legendary songwriter has composed heartbreaking tales that captured our imagination like the haunting “MacArthur Park,” about his failed relationship with his high school sweetheart.

In 1967 at age 21, Webb won the Grammy Award for “Up, Up and Away” establishing him as a premier songwriter. His platinum selling songs include “By the Time I Get to Phoenix,” “Wichita Lineman,” “Worst That Could Happen” and “MacArthur Park,” which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100 in1968 and won Webb the 1969 Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists.

Webb enjoyed successful collaborations with Glen Campbell, Frank Sinatra, The Supremes, Art Garfunkel and many more. He holds the distinction of being the only artist to receive Grammy Awards for music, lyrics and orchestration and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986.

Webb’s book, Tunesmith: Inside the Art of Songwriting (1998) is considered the ‘bible’ for aspiring songwriters guiding them through the creative process.

Kansas, Oct 3 and 4, TPAC-Topeka, $49-$129

Out on their 50^th Anniversary Tour, the band finally comes back home for two shows! Kansas released its first album in 1974 and became one of the most popular rock bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s with songs like “Carry On Wayward Son,” “Dust in the Wind” and “Point of Know Return.” Phil Ehart (the drummer who left playing after a recent heart attack but is still their manager) and Richard Williams are the only two original members still with the band.

Longtime bassist and co-vocalist Billy Greer recently a nnounced his departure. Greer “has concluded his journey” after nearly 40 years with the band. He joined Kansas in 1985 and had been “an unwavering presence,” appearing on seven studio albums and playing more than 2,300 live concerts with the group. Expect two hours of very familiar hits.

 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

Fred Armisen at Fillmore, Minneapolis (28 Apr 2024)

04/28 Fred Armisen with Azita at Fillmore Minneapolis Fred Armisen Topics Instagram Ads Live Music Genre Criticizing Johann Sebastian Bach Musicians Around the World South America Australia New Zealand Brazil England Norway Ireland Italy Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas Standup For Drummers Digital Maraca Banda music Phil Collin’s Drums Solo Fred Armisen’s drumming through the decades Finger Drum Sticks History of Music Accents From Around the Country Breakfast Sketch Blue Jean Committee Read More Fred Armisen We love the comedy styling of Fred Armisen (from Portlandia and Forever) so we're really happy to see that he has expanded his successful "Comedy For Musicians but Everyone is Welcome" to the Midwest ... Azita Opening up the show was Azita, from Chicago. She spend her entire set behind the Cedar's piano, which had a tall back, so she had to play in an awkward position with her back to some of the crowd. She commented that the Cedar ...

Comedian, actor and musician Fred Armisen’s one-man-show: “Comedy For Musicians But Everyone is Welcome” recently took place at the Fillmore, in Minneapolis, on April 28, 2024.

Drag City recording artist Azita Youssefi (aka AZITA), from Scissor Girls, opened the show with a music set. She played some songs from Year and How Will You?, including the title track, early in her set.

She apologized to the audience and recognized that most people weren’t expecting a music set. She even joked that her show is “Music for Comedians”, because Fred’s show is called “Comedy for Musicians”. Later on, she joked that Fred’s set is, “gonna be different, just a heads up.”

Azita ended her 30-min with a lively song, “Gotta Get It.”

Listening to Fred Armisen speak, you can tell that he’s been all around the world … but he has such a soft spot for Minneapolis. He truly loves it here… and I’ll explain: Armisen said “the music of my youth” was based in Minneapolis, such as Husker Du, the Replacements, Prince, etc. Then for nearly a decade, Armisen drummed for a punk band called Trenchmouth. They were signed to Skene! Records who moved their office to Minneapolis. So, he spent all his time in Minneapolis. He knows the city well, and he loves the city.

As advertised, Armisen’s show, “Comedy For Musicians But Everyone is Welcome”, is really jokes only musicians will understand. Since he’s primarily a drummer (although he’s clearly multi-instrumental), he listens to music through a drummer’s perspective. For example, his comment on Banda Music is pretty funny. Apparently, this type of Mexican subgenre uses percussion once in the song, and then you never hear it again. Or the weird half-start, half-stop drumming styles on Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” song.

My favorite part of Armisen’s show is for his grand “Accents From Around the Country”, which he would demonstrate and teach us how people speak in America. For example, the three distinctive accents of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bronx. Not only does he do a great voice impression, but he also demonstrates his keen observation of music from around the world (and later through the ages). He really knows his stuff, not only can he play different music genre, but he can also do it through different time period.

The Minneapolis show was the last of the tour… but if he puts on another tour, do yourself a favor and check it out. Maybe you’ll extra enjoy yourself if you’re a musician, but you’ll laugh just the same.

Remaining Tour Dates:

MAY 05 Outside Joke Los Angeles, CA

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Fred Armisen at Fillmore (28 Apr 2024)

vu ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com ♥ bsky.ap

Nina Simone: Four Women (runs through March 3rd) at KC Rep Copaken Stage, Kansas City MO (2024-02-16)

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN CAST Alexis J. Roston as Nina Simone Gabrielle Lott-Rogers as Aunt Sarah Toni Martin as Sephronia Brittney Mack as Sweet Thing Matthew Harris as Sam NINA SIMONE; FOUR WOMEN REMAINING SHOW TIMES (tix link here) Feb 17 2:00pm Feb 17 8:00pm Feb 18 2:00pm Feb 19 Feb 20 7:00pm Feb 21 7:00pm Feb 22 7:00pm Feb 23 8:00pm Feb 24 2:00pm* (* = ASL Signed Performance) Feb 24 8:00pm Feb 25 2:00pm (* w/Conversation Series Actors’ Forum) Feb 26 Feb 27 Feb 28 7:00pm Feb 29 7:00pm Mar 1 8:00pm Mar 2 2:00pm Mar 2 8:00pm Mar 3 2:00pm  Read More Broadway in Kansas City Hadestown, the winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theater Album....

A single moment can often alter the path of a lifetime--

In some cases. It’s a life-defining experience; in others, a culmination of emotions that come to an internal apex and a decisive moment that forever alters a path forward.

For the fabled black classical and jazz artist Nina Simone, the moment would be on September 16, 1963, the day after the unforgivable bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL that killed four young black girls. She was still reeling from the June assassination of civil rights activist and good friend Medgar Evers in Mississippi and this latest unspeakable incident, proved to be the tipping point moment to transform her into an activist artist.

Nina Simone: Four Women is a fictional but powerful depiction of that catharsis, set in her Mt Vernon NY living room, as she struggles to compose her first protest anthem, which would go on to be one of her biggest and most controversial songs, "Mississippi Goddam."

At this point of her career, the Julliard-trained classical singer-songwriter had gained some notoriety, via her recording of Gershwin's "I Loves You, Porgy" from the “Porgy and Bess’ musical, but not much else noteworthy nor profound.

"Music is my activism!" she would cry out, as a result of this latest in a series of senselessly violent acts mostly in the South, “These notes are my daggers!", determined to use her voice and gifts to make a societal impact, in the only way she knew how.

Along the way of her creative process, struggling with demons, doubts, and the self-imposed pressure to succinctly put her feelings down with music, Simone is surprised by a trio of very different personalities (similarly themed to what we saw in our last KC Rep production, A Christmas Carol) with each character giving Simone greater insight, perspective, and at times, criticism as to her work.

We’re never disclosed as to the ’realness’ of these visitors, though to the Simone fan, they’re directly influenced by her own “Four Women” song from 1966, one that describes four different women of color, one with "black" skin, one with "yellow", one with "tan", and one with "brown" skin that typified some of the social stereotypes of the day.

Her first unexpected visitor is Auntie Sarah (played with aplomb by Gabrielle Lott-Rogers) a warm motherly figure who is comforting but also resilient. Next is the light skinned Sephronia (played in fine voice by Toni Martin) self-described activist who struggles with perceived privilege as a biracial woman, but still feels like an outsider to all, and the unashamed and outspoken Sweet Thing (in a firebrand performance by Brittney Mack) a streetwalker not afraid to use her body and emotions to get what she wants, completes the three visitors. The ‘fourth’ woman, as it would be revealed, is Simone herself.

Nina Simone credits

In that foundational role of Simone that anchors this only five-person cast is Alexis J. Roston, a 4’11” dynamo that commands your attention whether waxing eloquently on the matters of the day or accompanied by the piano playing Matthew Harris as Sam on key numbers such as “Go Limp”, “Young, Gifted, and Black”, and “Sinnerman”.

In a later scene, where the music envelopes her body and releases itself in an emotionally freeing movement of dance, is a show highlight, and something we’ve only seen done similarly by one other, the late Sharon Jones. Set design by Shaun L. Motley counterpoised the elegance of Simone’s living room with the monochromatic destruction backdrop of the church bombing aftermath.

Opening night was fortunate to have not only the writer Christina Ham in attendance (who world-premiered the play in our former main stomping grounds of St Paul, MN back in 2016), but also director Malkia Stampley, who both stayed around following, for an opening night toast and some brief words of thanks.

Effective change is most often uncomfortable and expressing that in art is equally or more so, and the social struggles of six decades ago are still sadly too relevant – from George Floyd and countless others, to the recent public gunfire at Kansas City’s own Union Station, it can only take a moment for a path to change. Nina Simone: Four Women reminds us both of that, and Simone’s ahead-of-her-time relevance as an artist turned activist.

((Photos provided by their website) / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN (at KC Rep Copaken Stage)

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN Cast

NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN Theater for All

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

16th Annual Lawrence Mardi Gras Parade - Massachusetts Street, Lawrence KS (2024-02-13)

Read More Lawrence On a seasonably pleasant Thursday evening, hundreds of zombies and other costumed characters participated in the 16th Annual Lawrence Zombie Walk

(BRANDON CLASEN reports and photographs [on actual film!] for WeHeartMusic.com)

Everybody loves a parade! -

Or, locally, it seems that everyone in Lawrence does, as there are several a year, including Halloween’s Zombie Walk, St. Patrick’s Day, and several others, not counting those National Championship celebrations.

Though not particularly a town filled with people of Creole descent, Fat Tuesday was the perfect excuse to stage the 16^th Annual Mardi Gras Parade in downtown Lawrence. For Catholics, Fat Tuesday, the last day of the six-week celebration of carnival season. Lent begins the day after on Ash Wednesday, allowing the celebration to serve one last day of indulgence.

The celebration first began locally by musician friends, Mike and Katie, who started this tradition after moving to Lawrence from New Orleans and discovering there was no existing Mardi Gras celebration and so a small band of musicians took on the responsibility of carrying the Krewe De Kaw flag in celebration.

The result is now a Noon parade with music, beads, glitter, and more, casually marching down Mass Street stopping to play on corners, in restaurants, and anywhere else that won’t kick them out immediately. So known has the parade become, many from Kansas City will attend the morning parade there, drive into Lawrence for the afternoon parade, then head back to KC for evening festivities.

Things got started early as the Brass Mob Band and associated musicians met at 8am at Cajun restaurant and main sponsor, Terrebonne to organize over beignets, coffee and cocktails, By Noon (and after a moment of silence for those suffering everywhere), the march was in full swing, stopping in to loudly play inside Free State Brewery, the Lawrence Public Library, Love Garden Sounds, and other stops before eventually returning to where they started.

Beads were flying, a collective joy hummed in downtown Lawrence, filled with people traditionally in gold, green, and purple ensembles, and made everyone in the community an honorary “Cajun”, if only for the afternoon.

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

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

P!nk at T-Mobile Center, Kansas City MO (2023-10-27)

P!NK SETLIST Act I Intro Montage (video intro; elements of “ Raise Your Glass,” “TRUSTFALL,” “What About Us,” & “Get the Party Started) Get the Party Started (Aerial stunt, snippets of " Sweet Dreams" by Eurhythmics & "Gonna Make You Sweat" by C+C Music Factory) Raise Your Glass Who Knew Just Like a Pill Try What About Us (Dance remix) Act II Heartbeat (Dance sequence with overlaid audio) Turbulence (Aerial Stunt) Whataya Want From Me (snippet as part of the nightly piano game) Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan cover w/P!nk playing piano) Lost Cause Just Give Me a Reason F**kin' Perfect Just Like Fire / Heartbreaker (Pat Benatar cover snippet) Act III Please Don't Leave Me (Acoustic) Don't Let Me Get Me (Acoustic) When I Get There I Am Here Act IV No Ordinary Love (Sade cover) Are You Gonna Fall? (spoken word interlude) TRUSTFALL Blow Me (One Last Kiss) (with band introductions, extended intro) Never Gonna Not Dance Again (with dancer introductions, extended outro) Encore: So What (Aerial stunt, extended intro & outro) GROUPLOVE SETLIST Deleter Cheese Itchin' on a Photograph I'm With You Hello Tryin’ Tongue Tied Welcome to Your Life Ways to Go Colours P!NK TOUR DATES NOV 1 MONTREAL, QC BELL CENTRE NOV 2 MONTREAL, QC BELL CENTRE NOV 4 NEW YORK, NY MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NOV 5 NEW YORK, NY MADISON SQUARE GARDEN NOV 7 INDIANAPOLIS, IN GAINBRIDGE FIELDHOUSE NOV 8 CLEVELAND, OH ROCKET MORTGAGE FIELDHOUSE NOV 11 LOUISVILLE, KY KFC YUM! CENTER NOV 12 CHARLOTTE, NC SPECTRUM CENTER NOV 14 MIAMI, FL KASEYA CENTER NOV 15 SUNRISE, FL AMERANT BANK ARENA NOV 18 ORLANDO, FL AMWAY CENTER NOV 19 ORLANDO, FL AMWAY CENTER NOV 26 ARLINGTON, TX GLOBE LIFE FIELD FEB 9 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ALLIANZ STADIUM FEB 10 SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ALLIANZ STADIUM FEB 13 BROADMEADOW, MCDONALD JONES STADIUM FEB 16 MILTON, AUSTRALIA SUNCORP STADIUM FEB 17 MILTON, AUSTRALIA SUNCORP STADIUM FEB 20 CARRARA, AUSTRALIA METRICON STADIUM FEB 23 DOCKLANDS, AUSTRALIA DOCKLANDS STADIUM FEB 24 DOCKLANDS, AUSTRALIA DOCKLANDS STADIUM FEB 27 ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA ADELAIDE OVAL MAR 1 BURSWOOD, AUSTRALIA OPTUS STADIUM MAR 2 BURSWOOD, AUSTRALIA OPTUS STADIUM MAR 5 DUNEDIN, NZ FORSYTH BARR STADIUM MAR 8 AUCKLAND, NZ EDEN PARK MAR 9 AUCKLAND, NZ EDEN PARK MAR 12 DOCKLANDS, AUSTRALIA MARVEL STADIUM MAR 13 DOCKLANDS, AUSTRALIA MARVEL STADIUM MAR 16 SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, ACCOR STADIUM MAR 19 MILTON, AUSTRALIA SUNCORP STADIUM MAR 22 RAILWAY ESTATE, AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM MAR 23 RAILWAY ESTATE, AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND COUNTRY BANK STADIUM Read More Grouplove Grouplove is based out of Los Angeles, and their debut self-titled EP was released on January 25th via Canvasback Music. They were handpicked to open for Florence + The Machine …

Trust us, we Fell for P!nk--

One of the most exciting shows on stage and high in the air, P!nk (aka Alecia Beth Moore) brought her Trustfall Tour to the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City for a pair of weekend shows that left audiences breathless and amazed.

The occasion was in support of ninth and latest album, Trustfall (RCA Records) and forget Ringling Brothers, as the already-impressive concert, comes with acrobatics and a high-wire act, like none other. Beginning her show by bungee-jumping from the rafters, things only got more dynamic and daredevil-esque as the show went on.

But first, the evening began with a set from seasoned LA (by way of Milwaukee DJ) Kid Cut Up, who ably put the crowd in a more loose mood, followed by longtime LA indie band Grouplove, in support of their latest, July’s I Want it All Right Now (via Glassnote Records).

The band broke out with 2011 single, “Tongue Tied” (which they worked in, 2/3rds into their ten-song set) and has still been making new fans, ever since. Co-lead singers Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi were clearly enjoying themselves, he in a custom band basketball jersey, and she in a tight patterned catsuit.

We caught them live way back in 2011 in Minneapolis, and while they’re still at their best playing a club or small theater, they still made the most of the arena setting, and managed to bring the audience in, for a more intimate performance.

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Following a set change intermission, lights again dimmed, and the crowd roared as the intro video montage immediately energized the crowd who all looked up at the band, performing on raised platforms, with the star attraction nowhere to be found, except on-screen.

Diving headfirst from a high-above position in a glittery pink (of course) one-piece, P!nk began the first of her four acts with a literal thrill set to “Get the Party Started”. Her onstage dancers were accompanied by two more, hanging from rings and taking her back up for flips and leaps as the stage special effects embellished their moves.

“Raise your Glass” brought flamingo motorized Segways along and on 2006’s “Who Knew”, she sang with emotion as dancers interpreted movements around her. 2017’s big radio hit” What About Us” which lyrically speaks to the disillusioned and the left behind, actually became something to unify with in concert, as almost 20,000 people all sang along.

An interpretive sequence set to “Heartbeat” began the second act, then it was into “Turbulence” from the new record with P!nk and a male dancer on aerial silk swings, eventually contorting to her upside-down, singing with full energy. We saw a clip on a recent 60 Minutes broadcast of her trainer standing on her stomach as she sang the show’s songs and can clearly see how well that vocal preparation worked.

All could collectively take a breath for a break into slower songs, such her brave cover of Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” (a cover that Adele has become known for as well) that featured her playing piano. The crowd was back to singing along at loud volume for 2010’s “F**kin’ Perfect” and “Just Like Fire” may have predictably featured vertical bursts of pyro and a brief Justin Derrico guitar solo, but the unexpected was the seamless mashup of adding in part of Pat Benatar’s “Heartbreaker”, who has been previously on board as a support act.

Act III would become the acoustic set, with P!nk changing outfits again and harmonizing on a stripped-down version of 2009’s “Please Don’t Leave Me” with the singer aching the can’t-live-with/can’t-live-without lyrics, “I always say how I don't need you, but it's always gonna come right back to this”.

Don’t Let Me Get Me” brought her vocalists and guitarist Derrico alongside her to a smaller stage on the arena floor as cell phone cameras snapped away to capture that closest look for most. The new “When I Get There” was of her most personal songs of the night, about visiting the grave of her late father and the awareness and self-acceptance celebrated in 2017’s gospel-peppered “I Am Here” brought the slower-paced set, to a positive end.

To open the final act, she was carried by her dancers during her smooth Sade cover and brought the new album’s title track to life as dancers fell from a staircase onto a trampoline, only to bounce back up to their original position.

An extended “Blow Me (One Last Kiss)” found lip-shaped costumers blowing out confetti and that song and the also extended “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” provided the chance for the introductions of everyone on stage.

The single-song encore, going all the way back to 2008 for “So What”, proved to be well worth its wait- the singer saved her best aerial maneuver for last as she flew like a modern pixie all around the arena on a wire trapeze with rotating waist, as confetti showered the cheering audience.

We trusted in P!nk and we fell for the gymnastics, both vocal and literal, and were in awe as a result of the staging, pacing, and overall huge scope of this Trustfall Tour show, and can confidently say, it soared... both literally and figuratively.

 (All Photos by JASON DOMINGUES / Click on any image to enlarge and see in full)    

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GROUPLOVE

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

Dierks Bentley at Stormont-Vail Events Center, Topeka KS (2023-10-20)

DIERKS BENTLEY SETLIST intro music- I Got Some Rust on My Chevy, but It's Ready to Roll Gold Same Ol’ Me I Hold On Am I the Only One Living Burning Man Something Real Gone Say You Do Black Up on the Ridge > Callin' Baton Rouge (Oak Ridge Boys cover/Garth Brooks version) Sun Sets in Colorado Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go) 5-1-5-0 Somewhere on a Beach / Beers on Me What Was I Thinkin' Encore: Drunk on a Plane Encore 2: Hot Country Knights performance (Dierks in character as 'Doug' Douglason): Back to the '90s (video interlude) Hot Country Knights (snippet) Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up) (Garth Brooks cover) MidKnight Rodeo (Hot Country Knights song) Medley: I Like It, I Love It / Meet In the Middle / Little Rock / Heads Carolina, Tails California / Achy Breaky Heart / Man! I Feel Like a Woman! / Friends in Low Places (band trades vocals) outro music: Fast as You (Dwight Yoakam song)  High-Tech Redneck (George Jones song) (Steve Misamore in character as 'Monty' Montgomery left behind to dance solo & then run off by crew) DIERKS BENTLEY TOUR DATES Nov 18 Minneapolis, MN Heart 360 Benefiting Mpls Heart Institute Foundation Dec 2 Durant, OK Choctaw Grand Theater Dec 5 Nashville, TN All For The Hall with Keith Urban, Vince Gill & Very Special Friends Jan. 17-20 Riviera Maya, MX Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa 2024 Jul 12 New Salem, ND Country Fest 2024 Read More Dierks Bentley Get ready to kick up some “Gravel & Gold” with this veteran Nashville singer-songwriter, making a rare appearance in the capital city. The new album was released in February and is still going strong.

In Topeka, KS, all that musically glitters is gold...make that Gravel & Gold--

Country favorite singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley has been in the business for two decades now and made one of the final stops on his Gravel & Gold Tour, at the Stormont-Vail Events Center, to a thrilled crowd of happy fans, in support of his tenth studio record, Gravel & Gold (via Capitol Nashville, released in Feb.).

The ‘surprise’ to fans was that Bentley was only a 'support act', playing an extended set, before the “real headliners” would appear on stage to close out the show….

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The night got underway somewhat early, and as traffic still snarled outside, with a solid 45-minute set from large Lubbock, TX act, the Josh Abbott Band. In support of brand-new single, “What Were You Thinking” (not to be confused with Dierks’ similar titled hit) from their upcoming album, Somewhere Down the Road, due out January 26^th.

Eight members filled the stage, and played songs from the fifteen years they’ve been a band, including collaborations with the likes of Carly Pearce (on 2016’s “Wasn’t That Drunk”) and Kacey Musgraves (on 2011’s “Oh, Tonight”). Abbott proved to be an effective cheerleader and cheerfully set the mood of bringing a Texas honkeytonk vibe, to an arena in the middle of the Heartland. While the new single (released this same day) lyrically speaks to insecurities in relationships, the mood was anything but sad, especially on their set-closing party anthem “24-7-365”.

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For Dierks Bentley, the road of Gravel & Gold has been a long one, releasing lead single “Gold” back in August 2022, ahead of the new album’s release in February, and Topeka was fortunate to land one of the last regular shows of the tour. While the long wait to see him in concert seem like a downside, seeing Bentley and his crack band musically honed to perfection and firing on all well-practiced cylinders, was a pretty rewarding benefit.

Every player was solid at their craft, from restless bass player Cassady Feasby to White Bear, MN native and Fiddle Player of the Year, multi-instrumentalist Dan Hochhalter, to rising solo artist and ex-Old Crow Medicine Show member Charlie Worsham, and the rest, all playing at a musical peak.

Bentley and band began their 100-minute performance with that lead single from the newest record, he in casual flannel and the band all visibly enjoying themselves against a large backdrop video screen that accompanied the venue’s two elevated side screens.

The crowd got louder with the first bars of 2013’s “I Hold On”, which topped Country Airplay charts when originally released and was followed by party anthem, “Am I the Only One” which topped the charts back in 2011.

The audience sang along to newer slice of life single, “Living” (the 2019 recording of which has a cameo from Bentley’s son), and back screens turned virtually ablaze as the band played under red lights for 2018’s “Burning Man”.

Cell phone lights swayed back and forth for the ballads and a mid-set highlight was the band huddling close near the front of the stage for a brief acoustic set, pretending to all jostle for attention and lead vocal duties.

2010’s “Up on the Ridge” led directly into their spirited cover of radio hit “Callin’ Baton Rouge” and Bentley said before playing “Sun Sets in Colorado” that he tries to give the song some local flavor (looking for a nearby town that ends in “o”) and came up with “Wamego” which was hard for the band to pronounce and remember and wasn’t smoothly working musically as well either Playing Salt Lake City recently and trying to substitute “Colorado” with “Provo” wasn’t well received either Bentley said, so he assured us it was better to just play the original.

Promising nothing but hits following, energy went to another level as the crowd sang along to 2012’s “5-1-5-0”, transformed the middle of Kansas to a Gulf Coast for “Somewhere on a Beach” and true to the song’s title, started handing out beverage while playing “Beer’s on Me”. The main set would end with Bentley’s first hit- the song that broke him into stardom immediately and is still a huge fan-favorite, 2003’s “What Was I Thinkin’.

The encore started with Bentley casually shuffling back out, dressed in a pilot’s jacket and hat, complete with aviator sunglasses and found him handing out Mardi Gras beads while singing massive hit, “Drunk on a Plane”.

===
As the band departed, a film began playing on the screens showing a tour van going back in time to the 1990’s and the spandex-loving, neon and animal print wearing, keytar-bearing, mullet shaking, bananas down their pants group Hot Country Knights barnstormed the stage, announcing “Dierks Bentley’s set ran way late!” but the true stars had finally arrived.

Ok, under the wig and outfits of "Doug Douglason” and others, might have been Bentley, his band, and crew, but everyone was playing their parody role to the hilt, never breaking character to reveal the joke, and plowed through a bevy of more-than-familiar 90’s Country radio hits, as well as couple of their originals.

The band quickly ducked into their virtual on-screen van and sped away, managing to forget drummer Monte Montgomery (aka Steve Misamore) on stage alone, left behind to dance solo to a Dwight Yoakam hit and rouse the crowd up one last time, before the road crew chased him off stage.

A worthy bit of levity after a set full of hits, all performed with a true sense of musical authenticity, something he mentioned before playing “Something Real” from the new record, and it’s that genuine authenticity that’s kept Dierks Bentley successful, with a still growing and loyal fan base. The Gravel & Gold both shone brightly in Topeka.

(Special note to our Minnesota readers is that his next scheduled show is a Nov. 18 Heart 360 Benefit concert at The Armory [tix here]] and is recommended for anyone in the area).

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

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

DIERKS BENTLEY

JOSH ABBOTT BAND

JOSH ABBOTT BAND

JOSH ABBOTT BAND

JOSH ABBOTT BAND

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

We♥KC! October 13-15, 2023, Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More: Ballet The Kansas City Ballet is a 30-member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director Devon Carney whose mission is to inspire and engage through the beauty, power, and passion of Dance.

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Where the “rubber hits the road”, this is maybe the busiest weekend of concerts of the entire year in the Kansas City metro- Rocktober lives up to its name and no excuse for not seeing some live music this weekend (Chiefs are even playing on Thursday, which frees up Sunday).

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS/ Topeka KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming weekend, from October 13th-15th.

FRIDAY OCTOBER 13

Odesza w Big Boi, TokiMonsta, QRTR & Olan, T-Mobile Center. $39.50-$109.50

The EDM powerhouse is out on the much-anticipated follow-up to 2022’s The Last Goodbye Tour and the Kansas City date features rare support from former Outkast rapper Big Boi,along with TOKiMONSTA, QRTR & Olan.

ODESZA and the nonprofit REVERB are continuing their partnership to reduce the environmental footprint of their tour and take action on the climate crisis. In addition to a comprehensive tour sustainability program, the band will be supporting REVERB’s climate portfolio which funds projects that measurably reduce greenhouse gas pollution, address climate justice, and directly decarbonize the music industry. Fans will have the ability to join the effort at every show.

ODESZA’s live performances have become a modern wonder, mixing stunning visuals, musicianship, pyrotechnics and an immersive environment to transform whatever venue they are at, into a true experience. Last year’s tour sold over 450k tickets throughout its amphitheater run with numerous sold-out, multi-night runs including in their hometown of Seattle.

Chase McDaniel, PBR Big Sky, $15

Raised in the small town of Greensburg, KY by his grandparents, the 28-year-old was recently signed to Big Machine Records/Big Machine Label Group. A few weeks ago, on National Daughter’s Day, his smash Country hit, “Your Daughter” was re-released as new versions, to great success.

The emerging artist took to TikTok to announce the new versions - “We just put out two new acoustic versions of “Your Daughter” Today, one called the “Acoustic Wedding Version” and one called “Willow’s Version,” in honor of National Daughter’s Day,” he said.

Billy Strings, Oct 13-14, Cable Dahmer Arena, Independence, $22-$70

Since his 2017 debut, the bluegrass wunderkind has been awarded Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd GRAMMY Awards, Artist of the Year at the 2022 Americana Music Awards, and Entertainer of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2022 International Bluegrass Music Awards.

Last November, Strings released ME/AND/DAD, a new studio album on which he and his father — fellow musician Terry Barber — performed songs they played together during Strings’ childhood. He also performed a live cover of Johnny Cash’s “Cocaine Blues” with an unlikely duet partner, Post Malone. Don’t expect Posty for the two nights in Independence, but do expect some expert playing.

Charlie Berens, Uptown Theater, $39

His Good Old-Fashioned Tour has kicked off and Berens is known for his laugh-out-loud sketch comedy and Midwest humor. He also is an Emmy Award–winning journalist, musician, and author of the New York Times best seller The Midwest Survival Guide.

Kansas City Ballet presents Jekyll and Hyde, Oct 13-22, Kauffman Center, $34-$149.

The North American Premiere!

Witness the psychological torment and self-destruction of Henry Jekyll, a morally upright and well-mannered doctor, as he struggles against the vile urges of his alter ego Edward Hyde in Victorian England. Val Caniparoli’s newest ballet (first performed by the Finnish National Ballet in 2020) focuses on the eternal struggle of good versus evil as it plays out within one man.

The ballet’s narrative is framed as a hallucination of the novella’s actual author, Robert Louis Stevenson, as he imagines the tale of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. As the story progresses, the lines between reality and fiction become blurred, with the world of the mental hospital returning and Stevenson realizing he has unleashed a monster, the dark side of all of our better selves, through his writing of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Parental discretion is advised.

The Glorious Sons w The Velveteers, The Madrid, $25-$49

Following the release of their brand-new single “Mercy Mercy” (which quickly became the most added song at both Alternative and Active Rock radio), the two-time JUNO Award-winning Kingston, ONT rock band is out on their Glory Tour, from their album of the same name, released just last month.

Of the single, lead singer / songwriter Brett Emmons shares, “Mercy Mercy is my own quiet little prayer. It’s me fighting through some twisted process of self-forgiveness and acceptance. It’s a glimpse into my inner dialogue, however hilarious or concerning that might sound. A friend told me that this album sounds like someone at war in their own mind. In that context, I think this song is about faith in oneself, and one’s future—even if the past is always still there.”

You must arrive early for The Velveteers, who killed it on their support slot for Black Keys earlier this summer, in support of 2021’s Nightmare Daydream (on Easy Eye Sounds, Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach’s custom label) and the big sound can be attributed to dual drummers Baby Pottersmith and Jonny Fig and singer/ baritone guitarist Demi Demitro. Our prayers for a KC return are answered!

Outer Reaches- Bombino, recordBar, $24.36

Day 1: Bombino w/The Philistines, Saving Miles Lemon, Teri Quinn

Outer Reaches is an annual live music festival that showcases left-of-center, under-the-radar artists pushing boundaries in their respective genres. Day 1 features the world-class Taureg psychedelic desert blues artist from Niger as headliner, who we’ve seen several times. On a world tour for his new album Sahel, he continues the momentum of 2018’s Deran which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14

Ashnikko, Uptown. Sold out.

Sold Out AF for months and months! On the Weedkiller World Tour featuring singles, “Worms” and the aggressive nu-metal track “You Make Me Sick!” from the debut album, released June 2. “I can’t believe this is happening. my debut album is finally coming. two years ago” Ashnikko said, “I wrote a short story that has expanded to become this album.”

Fans can also expect to hear material from the 2021 mixtape, Demidevil, which featured tracks like “Daisy” and “Slumber Party”.

Shovels and Rope, Knuckleheads, $30

“It’s not heavy metal, but in our guts, it feels a bit like Heavy Metal,” says Michael Trent of the band’s newest album, Manticore. 2022 marked ten years since folk rock duo Cary Ann Hearst and Michael Trent released their debut album O’ Be Joyful, the first formally billed as “Shovels & Rope.”

Carbon Leaf, Knuckleheads, $22.50

Also at Knuckleheads! The longtime Richmond, VA, indie-folk band has half of their four-part Gathering series released, which finds the long-running quintet stripping their sound back to its organic, acoustic core as they reckon with our ever-conflicting desires for unity and independence.

Noah Gundersen, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $25-$110

The acclaimed Washington-based singer-songwriter is turning a new leaf with the release of his seventh studio album, If This Is the End, just out which deconstructs a particularly challenging and transformative chapter of his life.

The 11-track LP finds the 34-year-old grappling with past failures while building a quiet yet fulfilling new life for himself. As he heals from the scars left behind by the ever-shifting music industry, a newly-married Gundersen finds comfort amidst life’s unpredictability. Support from Casey Dubie.

Kathleen Madigan (comedy), Midland. $29.50-$59.50

The veteran comedian’s 33-year career shows no signs of slowing down, now on an all-new tour, “Boxed Wine & Tiny Banjos." The St. Louis native has risen from performing in comedy clubs to selling out shows at marquee theaters. She has over 40 appearances on late-night talk shows and multiple comedy specials on Netflix, Comedy Central and HBO. Madigan also hosts a popular weekly podcast, “Madigan's Pubcast," which currently has over 3 million downloads on all outlets.

Granada 90^th Anniversary Block Party, Downtown Lawrence, 6-11p, Free

The Granada Theater in downtown Lawrence is celebrating a big milestone, and it’s inviting the whole community to the all-ages block party. Originally constructed in the 1930s as a silent movie theater, they are celebrating 90 years, and 30 years as a music venue.

It will benefit Downtown Lawrence Inc., the “nonprofit organization dedicated to the enrichment, preservation, and promotion of Downtown Lawrence as the cultural and commercial heart of the community.” The event will feature live music and entertainment, kids' activities, and more than 20 craft beers, wines and spirits available for purchase, according to a news release.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 15

MercyMe, Cable Dahmer Arena- Independence, $23-$90

MercyMe brings their Together Again Tour to Indy- The multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY® nominated, multiple American Music Award, Billboard Music Award and Dove Award winners were recently named Billboard’s Top Christian Artist of the 2010 decade, In 2014, single “I Can Only Imagine” surpassed 2 million digital downloads, making it the first song in Christian music to go platinum and double-platinum in the digital domain. Their eleventh album, ALWAYS ONLY JESUS, is available now.

The Happy Fits w Windser and Small Crush, Granada- Lawrence, $25-$28

Starting as high school students in 2016 in Pittstown, the NJ band, consisting of lead vocalist and cellist Calvin Langman, drummer and vocalist Luke Davis, guitarist Raina Mullen and guitarist Graham Orbe, is celebrating their third and most recent album, Under the Shade of Green, released on August 26.

Arrive early for the openers including Windser, who were all kinds of fun when we saw them in town in 2022 and have a new single, “TV.” It’s been an exciting year, releasing the track “Belong,” the theme song of the new limited series podcast, Academy as well as the acoustic EP Panoramic Sessions, and a performance at Lollapalooza this past August.

Bitch, recordBar, $15

The queer icon ‘rides’ her broomstick onto stage to star in a one-woman performance detailing her life story, woven together with synths and violin-forward pop songs from her most recent album “Bitchcraft,” which came out earlier this year on Kill Rock Stars.

Bitch is a trained violinist, first appearing with her band Bitch and Animal. The band went on tour with Ani DiFranco who they met while playing a pizza shop in Provincetown. Since going solo, Bitch has toured with The Indigo Girls, produced two albums of her folk Idol Ferron, played herself in John Cameron (Hedwig and The Angry Inch) Mitchell’s “Shortbus,” and collaborated with Margaret Cho, Joey and Faith Soloway, God-des and Logan Lynn.

 

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

Zombies

Read More Rob Zombie Rob Zombie is offering his first single, "Thunder Kiss '65" (JDevil Remix) as a free download if you can find his 13 zombie cats on his website. The single .… Alice Cooper Rock icon Alice Cooper is bringing his incredibly live show to Mankato’s Vetter Stone Amphitheater this Friday, June 9th. We caught Cooper & Co earlier in December 2015 and said, “Alice Cooper … Ministry Industrial metal legends Ministry recently signed with Nuclear Blast Records. The band is touring with Death Grips this Fall, stopping by the Skyway Theatre this Thursday, October 26th. …

Rob Zombie
robzombie.com

Stay tuned for a recap and photos of the Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper show at Azura Amphitheater in Kansas.

The show is promoted by KQRC radio and features the Rob & Alice, along with Ministry and Filter. What a fantastic line up!

Tour Dates:

09/16 - Englewood, CO - Fiddler's Green
09/19 – Ridgefield, WA – RV Inn Style Resorts
09/20 – Auburn, WA – White River
09/22 – Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion
09/23 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center
09/24 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort
10/25 Highland, CA - Yaamava' Resort
10/26 Reno, NV - Grand Sierra Resort
10/28 Las Vegas, NV - Zappos Campus

As for Alice Cooper, he is touring in support of Road, out now on earMUSIC in a variety of formats, including limited vinyl colors.

Alice Cooper Tour Dates:

9/16 - Greenwood Village, CO - Fiddler’s Green
9/19 - Ridgefield, WA - RV Inn Style Resorts
9/20 - Auburn, WA - White River
9/22 - Concord, CA - Pavilion
9/23 - Anaheim, CA - Honda Center
9/24 - Phoenix, AZ - Talking Stick Resort
10/4 - St Augustine, FL - Amphitheatre
10/5 - Wilmington, NC - Wilson Center
10/7 - Evansville, IN - Aiken Theatre
10/8 - Wheeling, WV -WesBanco Arena
10/10 - Troy, OH - Hobart Arena
10/11 - Wabash, IN - Honeywell Center
10/13 - Paducah, KY - Luther F Carson Four
10/14 - N Little Rock, AR - Simmons Bank Arena
10/15 - Lafayette, LA - Heymannn Performing Arts
10/17 - Enid, OK - Stride Bank Center
10/19 - Colorado Springs, CO - Pikes Peak Center
10/20 - Rio Rancho, NM - Events Center
10/21 - Tucson, AZ - AVA Amphitheatre
10/23 - Paso Robles, CA - Vina Robles
10/25 - Highland, CA - Yaamava Theater
10/26 - Reno NV - Grand Sierra Resort
10/28 - Las Vegas NV - Bakkt Theater

Read More The Zombies The truth is, The Zombies needs no introduction, judging from the feedback on the Zombies' two most famous songs "She's Not There" and "Time of the Season". What people aren't aware ...

The Zombies
thezombiesmusic.com

We’ve been writing about Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees, The Zombies for a while now, having seen them in 2017. The band is famous for their hits, “She’s Not There”, “Time of the Season”, and others.

It looks like the band is back in the Minneapolis/St Paul area, to headline the Fitzgerald Theater, on October 13, 2023, to support their new album Different Game (Cooking Vinyl Records). The new album is the followup to Still Got That Hunger.

Tour dates:

Oct 1, 2023 Massey Theatre New Westminster, Canada
Oct 2, 2023 Washington Hall Seattle, WA
Oct 3, 2023 Aladdin Theater Portland, OR
Oct 5, 2023 Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco, CA
Oct 6, 2023 Alex Theatre Los Angeles, CA
Oct 7, 2023 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA
Oct 9, 2023 Lensic Performing Arts Santa Fe, NM
Oct 11, 2023 Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
Oct 13, 2023 Fitzgerald Theater Saint Paul, MN
Oct 14, 2023 South Milwaukee PAC Milwaukee, WI
Oct 15, 2023 Old Town School of Folk Chicago, IL
Oct 17, 2023 Queen Elizabeth Theatre Toronto, ON
Oct 18, 2023 Royal Oak Music Royal Oak, MI
Oct 19, 2023 Brown County Music Center Nashville, IN
Oct 20, 2023 Ludlow Garage Cincinnati, OH
Oct 22, 2023 MGM Northfield Park Northfield, OH
Oct 24, 2023 The Birchmere Alexandria, VA
Oct 26, 2023 The Cabot Beverly, MA
Oct 27, 2023 The Concert Hall New York, NY
Oct 29, 2023 Keswick Theatre Glenside, PA
Apr 5, 2024 - Apr 10, 2024 On The Blue Cruise Miami, FL

With Halloween coming next month, I’ve decided to try out a few Zombie television shows.

Read More Walking Dead I won’t go too deeply into it, but I really, really hated the last Fear the Walking Dead and latest The Walking Dead series. It’s a huge fall from grace, as these shows were, at one time, very good. So what happened? ....

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
amc.com

I’ve actually long given up on The Walking Dead television series, I know many fans have also jumped off the boat as well. While the main series came to an end with Season 11 in 2022 (11 years!), but AMC still wanted to keep the money train rolling and decided to spin off the series.

There are three main spin offs:

The pending The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live will continue the adventure of Rick Grimes and Michonne.

The Walking Dead: Dead City, which continues the story of Maggie and Negan. Despite the fact that Negan brutally murdered Maggie’s husband (and fan favorite) Glen, the showrunners thought teaming up these two will work. Just based on that premise, I didn’t bother watching the show.

Now, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, has aired. This is the story of fan favorite Daryl Dixon in France. Of all the spin off shows, I thought I would give the pilot a try.

So what do I think of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon? I think it is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen.

The show starts off with Daryl shipwrecked on a beach in the south of France. Of course, he kills some French soldiers, and made an enemy of this military group. Daryl is saved by some warrior nuns, and now he’s on a mission to take the nuns to a port city in the north of France.

The pilot did a good job of setting up the story, but I find myself questioning everything. Like why is everybody in the show speaks English? Why are the soldiers just going around murdering people and looting their stuff? What is their motivation? Seriously, what is up with the French warrior nuns? That mysterious woman on a boat at the end did not sell me on hanging on. She’s got to be the main villain, right? Who cares?

Personally speaking, I haven’t watched a Walking Dead show since season 6 (in 2015), so going back into this universe was hard. I’m sad to announce that the Daryl Dixon pilot did not win me back.

Maybe I will check in for the Rick Grimes show, but for now, goodbye Walking Dead.

Read More Squid Game If you haven’t heard, Squid Game is Netflix’s blockbuster television show. Everyone, at least over 111 million, is watching this South Korean drama/thriller. …

Zombieverse
netflix.com

I’ve also decided to give the pilot episode of Zombieverse a try. This is a South Korean horror show that Netflix picked up in 2023.

The first episode’s description reads, “In Seoul, where a zombie virus outbreak has run amok, who will outwit the undead in the face of challenging quests and come out alive?”

When I think of South Korean shows, I immediately think of the highly successful Squid Game. This was an international hit for Netflix, and I confessed, I did really enjoyed the series.

I think right off the bat, I didn’t really like this “game show” television Zombieverse at all. The show starts off with clips of what’s going to happen and then launches in a middle of a reality television show. There’s a Zombie infection that breaks out live on tv, and that’s how the show starts.

The whole show and concept were shot like it is a reality tv, and maybe it’s because I do not like reality television, that I just didn’t get or understand this show.

If you like video game, contestant shows, or reality shows, this Zombieverse show might be for you, but it is not for me. I just did not care which contestants survives this reality zombie show.

I think for now, I’ll just wait for Squid Game 2.

Read more Television.

Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse
lawnlove.com

In related Zombie news, Lawn Love has put together the best 10 cities to “Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse”.

Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse

1 Houston, TX
2 New York, NY
3 San Antonio, TX
4 Miami, FL
5 Los Angeles, CA
6 Austin, TX
7 San Diego, CA
8 Las Vegas, NV
9 Chicago, IL
10 Orlando, FL

One of the key features why Houston is #1 is because the city has the most gun and ammunition stores….

Note: Minnesota cities St. Paul (No. 55) and Minneapolis (No. 26) take 1st and 2nd places, respectively, in Hideouts, with many homes featuring basements and full kitchen and plumbing facilities. The Twin Cities also offer unique skyway systems, connecting downtown city blocks with enclosed footbridges — the Minneapolis Skyway System and the Saint Paul Skyway.

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

We♥KC! July 27- August 3, 2023 Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read More: Michael Franti Michael Franti is all about heart— From the large stage banner of the organ’s drawing amidst a Rastafari and rainbow colored background, to the current Once A Day Tour poster showing hearts dropped out of an airplane ...…

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

uh...It’s Hot out!!

All-time record temps should make anyone believe in global warming, and though the nights are cooler, it’s still warm to see an outdoor show of late. Thankfully, many upcoming are at indoor venues and the ones that are outdoors, are generally good enough to endure a little perspiration in the process. Stay hydrated!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/ Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from July 27th- August 3rd.

THURSDAY JULY 27

Kansas, The Midland, $45-$129.50

Kansas celebrates their 50th anniversary this year, on an outing the progressive rock band is dubbing “The Another Fork in the Road Tour,” also the title of their recent 3-CD compilation set out last December, via InsideOut Music. The band’s long history has seen them issue 16 studio albums and sell more than 30 million albums worldwide.

The band originated in Topeka and is currently comprised of original drummer Phil Ehart, bassist/vocalist Billy Greer, vocalist/keyboardist Ronnie Platt, violinist/guitarist David Ragsdale, keyboardist/vocalist Tom Brislin, and original guitarist Richard Williams. Carry On!

Brothers Osborne, KCLive!, $30

The critically acclaimed country duo is set to release their self-titled fourth studio album on September 15, with newest single, “Sun Ain’t Even Gone Down Yet.” Miranda Lambert provides guest vocals on the track, “We Ain’t Good at Breaking Up,” which she co-wrote with Brothers Osborne and Jesse Frasure.

The GRAMMY-winning duo’s upcoming album was produced by Mike Elizondo (Sheryl Crow, Turnstile, Dr. Dre, Twenty One Pilots) and the brothers trusted him to compile his own band of studio musicians, which included Paul McCartney’s drummer Abe Laboriel Jr.

Dude Perfect, T-Mobile Center. $34.75- $204.75

YouTube sensations— Tyler Toney, Cody Jones, Garrett Hilbert and twins Coby and Cory Cotton — will bring their action-packed 2023 Dude Perfect Panda-Monium Tour to T-Mobile Center, which will include fan favorites like Wheel Unfortunate with Ned Forrester, Cool Not Cool, crazy stunts and all-new battles! We saw some of the troupe this spring at the NFL Draft in a skit with Travis Kelce’s mom.

Telekinetic Yeti, The Bottleneck- Lawrence,$18-$23

The spacey, psychedelic groove Iowa-based duo is on a 19-date tour with Stinking Lizaveta joining them for all shows, still in support their 2022 release Primordial, which is available now via Tee Pee Records. We had our own Yeti sighting last Fall- catching them live in Minneapolis.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Kauffman Center CANCELED

FRIDAY JULY 28

The Pharcyde, Madrid Theater,$29.50-$79

The LA 90’s rap pioneers have returned under this name or “The Far Side” (we’re confused…) They met as dancers and choreographers, entering the music industry in 1991 with their first album and record deal with Delicious Vinyl.

1995's "Labcabincalifornia" would peak at number 17 on the R&B charts, but the group would eventually separate with each member pursuing their own projects, after the album's release. In 2022, Imani, Slimkid3, and Fatlip would pick up where they left off.

SATURDAY JULY 29

Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, Knuckleheads,$20

It's as Hot as Louisiana, so, this is a great Summer soundtrack- Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band have recorded ten CDs over the past 22 years of Chubby's professional career. Chubby and the band travel 150-175 days a year, taking his act to big festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz Fest, the Chicago Blues Fest. Summerfest, and Memphis in May.

Michael Franti and Spearhead with Soja, KC Live! $25-$75

One of our live favorites and some of the most positive and uplifting music you'll hear, Franti and Spearhead are back on the road for their Big Big Love 2023 Tour. He says about it, "I believe that we all need “big big love” in our lives, especially today. To me, that’s holding space for those we love closely, those we may have differences with and for the world as a whole! We’ll be spreading that love coast-to-coast from May to August, playing over 50 shows at some of our favorite venues across the country and some new ones too!!" We caught them last, live in Lawrence in late 2021.

Jinkx Monsoon, Folly. $55

The Witch of all Witches is ready to cast her next great spell! The two-time RuPaul’s Drag Race winner presents her biggest concert tour to date with “Everything at Stake.” For the first time ever, Jinkx and her musical main squeeze Major Scales, will tour with a full rock band performing a decade worth of covers and original music from her albums (The Ginger Snapped, The Inevitable Album), along with new songs from her upcoming 3-part album The Virgo Odyssey. Jinkx weaves together tales from her enigmatic life in a show where music, comedy, witchy magic, and camp-fantasy collide.

EKKSTACY w Usted Señalemelo, Encore at Uptown, $18

The young Vancouver-born indie rocker spent all of 2022 receiving international atention: selling out his North American tour, and receiving Best New Artist nods from Complex and NME, following the relase of his ‘80s postpunk album, misery.

Before he was filling up rooms in L.A. and New York, EKKSTACY came up in downtown venues like Fortune Sound Club. He grew up in Langley and Cloverdale, and enjoyed skateboarding and music. He started playing guitar in Grade 6. Without access to a computer until the age of 13, his sources of musical discovery were limited to his immediate surroundings.

His breakthrough EP, NEGATIVE, dropped in 2021 and charts a relationship from its beginning to breakup, with the song titles, when read chronologically, revealing a poem, but the new album is different- “misery is fun. misery is fast and heavy and hard, and I just stopped overthinking when I made it,” he comments.

Arrive early for support from Argentians Usted Señalemelo, out on their first North American Tour, and on their way to play Lollpalooza in Chicago. They've just been presented with the "Discovery Award" at the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC) in NYC after releasing their third album 'TRIPOLAR' at the end of May.

SUNDAY JULY 30

MONDAY JULY 31

TUESDAY AUGUST 1

Goth Babe with Husbands, The Truman. $27.50-$55

Aka Griff Washburn has just announced his debut album, Lola, will arrive this Fall on Mom + Pop Music, an album named for the sailboat on which he now lives, one of many scaled-back small places he's called 'home'. Newest single is “Bioluminescence”, the song feels like an extension and appreciation for his adventurous lifestyle, the wanderlust, and the wonders it reveals.

No word if his perpetual sidekick, his blue-eyed Australian Shepherd, Sadie, will appear.

Arrive early for support from Husbands, the indie-pop rock project fronted by Danny Davis who has Cuatro, their fourth studio album, coming out October 13th on Thirty Tigers, with lead single “Can’t Do Anything” and are also headed to Lollapalooza (including an official aftershow with Men I Trust) then joining Wilderado on tour this fall.

Jagged Little Pill (Alanis Morissette musical) Aug 1-5, Starlight, $15-$97

The Tony and GRAMMY Award-winning new musical is about a perfectly imperfect American family, based on Alanis Morissette’s memorable music. Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Waitress, Pippin, 1776) with a Tony-winning book by Diablo Cody (Juno) and GRAMMY-winning score, this production “vaults the audience to its collective feet” says The Guardian, (never mind that Morrissette herself is actually Canadian).

 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 2

The Front Bottoms Aug 2, Grinders KC, $32.50-$49

Out on their Road To The Jam Tour, in conjunction with their upcoming album, You Are Who You Hang Out With, due out August 4 on Fueled by Ramen. The NJ folk-punk group just wrapped up shows supporting the 10th anniversary of Talon of the Hawk, with this tour leg runs through September in the Midwest and East Coast, with support from Vundabar.

Working on new music has always been therapeutic, but on their forthcoming new album, having complete and utter fun took top priority for the duo of Brian Sella and Mat Uychich. It’s this carefree, laid-back mindset that shaped the new album's sessions, and recent singles “Emotional,” “Outlook” and “Punching Bag” serve as the perfect sneak peek into the band’s next chapter.

THURSDAY AUGUST 3

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

Fenne Lily and Christian Lee Hutson at Bottleneck (05/22) and Fine Line (05/23)

Christian Lee Hutson Setlist Strawberry Lemonade State Bird Twin Soul with Fenne Lily Single for the Summer Atheist Get the Old Band Back Together Lose This Number Endangered Birds Northsiders Rubberneckers Fenne Lily Setlist Map of Japan Dawncolored Horse 2+2 Lights Light Up Berlin Elliott Pick In My Own Time Henry Red Deer Day Half Finished Work Wife Setlist Too Young to Understand Coeur D'Alene Strangers Something's Up Creases Soft Lie Brian Eno Ride, Ride Tour Dates 05/24- Milwaukee, WI @ Back Room 05/25 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall 05/26 - Kalamazoo, MI @ Bell’s Eccentric Cafe 05/27 - Toronto, ON @ Legendary Horseshoe Tavern 05/30 - Portsmouth, NH @ 3S Artspace 05/31 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair 06/02 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 06/03 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer 06/04 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat 06/05 - Durham, NC @ Motorco Music Hall 06/06 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West 06/07 - Nashville, TN @ The Basement East 06/09 - Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge 06/10 - Fort Worth, TX @ Tulips 06/11 - Austin, TX @ The Parish 06/13 - Santa Fe, NM @ Meow Wolf 06/15 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge 06/16 - West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour Read More Fenne Lily So this may explain why Bristol, UK-based Fenne Lily was so tired due to lack of sleep. She said to keep herself awake, she’s been drinking hard liquor. Her humor is really dry, and you’re not quite sure … Christian Lee Hutson The first act of three to take the stage was singer/songwriter Christian Lee Hutson. Hutson is a Los Angeles-based musician, just releasing a new single, ‘Northsiders’ (which Bridgers produced) from his .…

The indie folk live pairing of Bristol, UK native (and a Brooklyn resident since the Fall) Fenne Lily and Americana singer-songwriter Christian Lee Hutson has been on the road for a short while, but this tour leg (which began at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, KS) has added Brooklyn up-and-comers Work Wife (Meredith Lampe, Cody Edgerly and Kenny Monroe) to the bill, complete with their brand-new banjo player.

The two headliners would trade off which band closes out the show. For the first night of the tour, Fenne Lily closed out Lawrence. For the second night, Christian Lee Hutson closed out the Fine Line.

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The Bottleneck, Lawrence (05/22)

The Bottleneck, Lawrence (05/22)

Work Wife just released their Quitting Season EP in December (on Born Losers Records), but are already looking forward playing several new tracks (expected on their sophomore EP later this year) debuted live for the first time. We liked what we heard and expect them back soon, most likely headlining.

Christian Lee Hutson is out in support of last Spring’s (similarly-named) Quitters full-length (produced by Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst and on ANTI- Records) and we saw all three play live in Minneapolis in 2019. Hutson continued a story between the songs of his hour-long set, about his father getting in some scuffle at Kid Rock’s Nashville restaurant, which inspired Hutson to dream of opening his own establishment, eliciting crowd suggestions of what might be on the menu.

Fenne Lily would describe Hutson’s music as “excellently ambiguous”, while her own music, in support of Big Picture (out just last month via Dead Oceans) has a claustrophobic intimacy about it, recorded through the pandemic-era shut-in period and of a relationship from its beginnings to end, though the songs teeter to easily morph into something of a bigger sound.

All three acts seemed like a comfortable fit in touring together (and Work Wife and Fenne Lily each sitting in to help play a track on another’s set), all had a collectively symbiotic, indie folk sound, and the trio of rising acts made for a laid back and enjoyable weeknight evening.

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Fine Line, Minneapolis (05/23)

Fine Line, Minneapolis (05/23)

“Spending ten hours in the car can put a strain on the bum.” Or something to that effect, said Fenne Lily in a lovely Bristol accent and a voice that Pitchfork Magazine has described as “… a warmth and a quaver that can wring pathos from the most conversational lines.”

I imagine there are not many opportunities in England where you spend most of the day traveling in the car, but when you just played in Laurence, Kansas with the next show in Minneapolis, the “bum” is going to take a hit.

Work Wife opened the evening with a seven song set, a highlight being “Brian Eno”, a song that started off with the bands reserved tone but moved into a free-wheeling cosmic jam lead by Cody Edgerly on drums.

“One the road for one day,” said lead singer, Meredith Lampe, “And already forgot the day of the week.” Then she went on to describe the journey of getting there: Flying into Texas to pick up her friend Rachel who wanted to join the band in order to take them to the CC Club after the show. But only after they picked up Isaac (on steel guitar and banjo) in Oklahoma and performed a show in Kansas.

Fenne Lily took the stage next, starting off with “Map of Japan”, maybe the best song on her new album, Big Picture, an album that she wrote during the pandemic.

Lily was quite funny in between songs, maybe sharing more information than what the audience wanted to hear or maybe not. She talked about her upcoming period and wisdom teeth finally coming in. She went on about her grandfather being a real piece of work aka alcoholic and how he could inhale one cigarette in one breath. Then onto the pandemic and how it turned the whole world upside down, especially on her block where single vegan neighbors eventually turned into child-bearing steak eaters.

In between musings she sang songs as Paste Magazine described as “… successful meditation(s) on tension, an act of sitting in discomfort.” For example, “Berlin” is a song about living by herself and eating black licorice and “Pick” is about people who need help but don’t ask for it. (Not her granddad)

Lily ended the set with “Birthday” a song about being cheated on by a musician with another musician. All parties were to be unnamed, but she was interested in any guesses at the merch table.

Christian Lee Hutson finished the evening, starting off with “Strawberry Lemonade”, the first song on his latest album Quitters.

Like Lily, Hutson was also pretty funny in between songs, complaining to the crowd that on his tenth birthday his dad took him to get chicken wings. He said he started touring at age seventeen and for seven years it was mostly playing in spaghetti restaurants.

Lily joined him on stage for “Twin Soul”. And after he sang “Get the Old Band Back Together”, he said it was the dumbest song he ever wrote. He wrote it as a joke, but the producer, a one Phoebe Bridges, liked it so much she put it on the new album.

And while Hutson tuned his guitar between songs, he wanted to know if the audience had any questions. Someone asked if he ever played at Buca di Beppo (spaghetti restaurant). Not yet. Someone then asked about Taylor Swift. No opinion. Then another wondered if would be at the CC Club later.

“Will see,” he grinned.

Christian Lee Hutson (05/22) Work Wife (05/22) Work Wife (05/22) Christian Lee Hutson (05/22) Christian Lee Hutson (05/22)

Fenne Lily (05/22)

Fenne Lily (05/22)

Fenne Lily (05/22)

Fenne Lily at Lawrence, Kansas (22 May 2023)

Fenne Lily (05/23) Work Wife (05/23) Work Wife (05/23) Fenne Lily (05/23) Christian Lee Hutson (05/23)

Christian Lee Hutson at Fine Line, Minneapolis (23 May 2023)

dave + john ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com