W♥M

We♥KC - November 16-30, 2021 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence / Topeka KS)

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected at the recent Astroworld concert in Houston, TX- we all wanted live music to return, but not with these results.  Thankfully, things are much more calm in these parts, but still remain busy through the rest of the month, particularly at The Truman, which offers up a Thanksgiving cornucopia-sized basket of good shows. 

On the chance that you’re not out on Nov. 20, be sure to tune into the 5^th AnnualThundergong Benefit, a livestream-only event hosted by Jason (Ted Lasso) Sudekis and features Sammy Hagar, Nathaniel Rateliff, Counting Crows,Ben Rector, (Kansas City’s own) Waxahatchee, Wynonna, and many more for Steps of Faith Foundation. 

Here’s what’s happening in the area for the Second half of November

(a few recommended shows are highlighted below):

2021-11-16 Surfaces at Truman   2021-11-19 Silversun Pickups at Truman   2021-11-19 Geoff Tate at Knuckleheads   Read More Silversun Pickups Recently, Silversun Pickups announced their 15-date November tour, with special guest Zella Day. The tour will hit all major cities, including Chicago, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, Tulsa, and more. …

Tuesday November 16

Surfaces with Khai Dreams and Public Library Commute, The Truman. $27-$50

Texas-sized chill good vibes from this “no worries” duo that blends indie with calypso, reggae, pop, and hip-hop might be the kind of positive, laid back show we all need right now.  Their fourth full-length, Pacifico (on Caroline Records) came out in June, collaborating more recently with Tal Verdes on non-album single, “Sheesh!”

Zach Bryan, Uptown (7p). $30-$162

Smallpools w/ Morgxn, Uptown (9p), $22.

Citizen, Bottleneck- Lawrence, $19-$23.


Wednesday November 17

Goose, The Truman. $25-$50

Straight No Chaser, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $37.95-$63


Thursday November 18

Caribou with Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, Granada. $27

The Happy Fits, RecordBar. $15

Stephen Curtis Chapman, Folly. $26-$75

Squirrel Nut Zippers, Knuckleheads. $35

Riley Green w/ Matt Stell, Kameron Marlowe, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, $10.65-$12.


Friday November 19

Silversun Pickups, The Truman $29.50-$60

Anyone remember Martika?  Los Angeles alt rock band Silversun Pickups sure does, covering her 1988 radio hit in their own unique way and the band has also returned to the road, with a 15-date November tour in support of 2019’s Widow Weeds (on New Machine Recordings), all produced by famed producer (and Garbage drummer) Butch Vig.

We’ve covered them since late 2012, having last seen them live in 2016, and the newest album represents a confessional album about rebirth and renewal.  Singer Brian Aubert says of it, “This was the first album where we were open. We were exposed. I see how that can be scary to people, but for us, we really thrived on that.” Zella Day to open.

Geoff Tate, Knuckleheads. $27.50

Queensryche is scheduled to play KC just a week before(Nov 12) and seeing ex-vocalist Tate completes the picture, especially as he is set to perform classic albums Rage for Order and Empire in their entirety… “Can’t you hear it calling?”

Steep Canyon Rangers, Lied Center. $14-$35

Al Franken, Uptown, $47-92.

2021-11-20 Thundergong - 5th Annual Benefit   2021-11-20 Mayer Hawthorne at Truman   Read More Mayer Hawthorne Tuxedo (the Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One collaboration) is playing the Cedar Cultural Center this August 14. ....

Saturday November 20

Thundergong- 5^th Annual Benefit (livestream)
Thundergong! • A Benefit Concert for Steps of Faith Foundation

Mayer Hawthorne, The Truman. $25-$30

The Ann Arbor, MI native is back on the road supporting 8^th studio album, 2020’s Rare Changes (on Big Bucks Records) and deftly weaves his unique blend of soul-based indie pop that looks forward as well as keeps its inspirations from the past.  Hawthorne is also known for collaborations under the names Tuxedo and Jaded Incorporated.

Keith Sweat with Bell Biv DeVoe, Bobby Brown and more, T-Mobile Center. $66-$175

This would be a great show… in 1990.  But, it’s now a chance to re-live those days with a roster that also adds on 90’s acts Dru Hill (w/Sisqo) and Silk, so expect an evening of soul, R&B, and throwback New Jack. 

The Guess Who, Ameristar. $35-$150

Susan Werner, Yardley Hall- Overland Park, $25+

Aaron Watson, Uptown. $20-$40

Bodeans, Knuckleheads. $30

Ice Nine Kills, Granada Lawrence, $30.

Folly Frolic with Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery, Folly. $40-$125

2021-11-21 Lovelytheband and Sir Sly at The Truman  2021-11-21 Richard Thompson at Folly Theater   2021-11-26 Hembree at Truman   Read More lovelytheband lovelytheband is headlining the all-ages show at the Varsity Theater on Sunday, April 28th. Show up early to check out Flora Cash, Jagwar Twin, and OTW . … Hembree Dance trio Hembree (Isaac Flynn, Garrett Childers, Eric Davis) opened the show. Their aggressive dance songs had fans who showed up early dancing to songs like ‘Can’t Run Forever’ and ‘Found’… …

Sunday November 21

Lovelytheband and Sir Sly with Cannons, The Truman. $29.50-$35

This all-Los Angeles bands triple-bill might be the best indie-rock bang-for-your-buck of the season, as all three acts have considerable buzz around them.  We caught headliners lovelytheband at a much smaller venue in 2018 and just knew they were headed to bigger and better things.  The indie pop band returned to record racks with 2020’s Conversations with Myself About You (on Century Media/RED) and also non-album songs, “Games” (w/Tessa Violet) and “Miss You a Little” (w/Bryce Vine).

Co-headliner Sir Sly released third full-length, The Rise & Fall of Loverboy (on Interscope Records) this April, which includes single, “Citizen” with Gary Clark, Jr., and we’re loving everything we’ve heard from Cannons, whose hit single, “Bad Dream”, has been followed by by a digital-only cover album earlier this year. 

Richard Thompson, Folly Theater, $15-$50.

The English folk legend returns, still touring in support of nineteenth solo album, 13 Rivers (on New West Records) and over five decades of musical history, dating back to seminal 60’s band Fairport Convention.

Whitney Peyton, Bottleneck- Lawrence, $12-$15.


Monday November 22

Neck Deep, The Truman. $27.50


Friday November 26

Hembree, The Truman, $15-20.

Kansas City’s hometown indie-rock heroes return for a Black Friday headlining show, that is the perfect palette finisher after a day of shopping for holiday deals.  Latest album is 2019’s House on Fire (on Thirty Tigers Records) but the band also re-convened remotely during the pandemic for newest songs, “Operators” and “Reach Out”.

The quintet last played the area at recordBar in March 2020, so this is a big venue upgrade and looks to be a joyous way to spend the busy holiday weekend.  Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear and Dreamgirl to open.


Saturday November 27

Elton Dan and Friends, Uptown. $20-$25


Sunday November 28

Playboi Carti, Cable Dahmer Arena - Independence $29.95-$74.95

Nita Strauss, Uptown – Encore Room, $23.

The longtime guitarist for Alice Cooper (and before that, tribute band The Iron Maidens) plays a small venue that will allow one to see her formidable guitar skills, very up close.

2021-11-29 Baroness at Bottleneck Read More Baroness Due to popular demands, Baroness recently added a second show at Bar Fly (at the Skway Theatre). So now fans can get a chance to see the band on Friday or Saturday night. The Friday night show is sold out. …

Monday November 29

Baroness, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $60.   

Don’t be put off by the seemingly steep door charge to this show, as each ticket also includes a limited edition signed poster and the performance will feature two sets – the first, completely fan-voted and the second curated by the Georgia heavy metal band themselves.

We covered them last in 2016 and latest album is 2019’s Gold & Grey (on Abraxan Hymns Records), which they were previously set to tour with, but after a pandemic delay, are finally getting the chance to.  The album is produced by one of our favorites, frequent Flaming Lips collaborator, Dave Fridmann. 

Waterparks, The Truman. $28.50-$55 

You’ve got to admire this Houston trio for calling their new album, Greatest Hits (on 300 Entertainment) which came out in May and features newest single, “The Secret Life of Me”.  The hyperpop/rock band is playing to enthusiastic large crowds on their Night Out on Earth Tour with the album being so well received, its title might end up ringing completely true. 

The new record is a follow up to 2019’s FANDOM which hit #2 on Billboard’s Alternative Album Chart and you have to admire any group that releases a single honoring that childhood treat favorite, “Fruit Roll Ups”.  Phem and Zeph scheduled to open.


Tuesday November 30

Noah Kahan, The Truman. $22-$45

Purity Ring, Nov. 30, Granada. POSTPONED TO JUNE 13

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

Minneapolis: August 14 to August 18, 2019

Here are some shows taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from August 14 to August 17, 2019.

Read more: Minneapolis Music Guide.

Ben Folds/ Violent Femmes Read More Ben Folds Five I recently found out that Ben Folds will be releasing a brand new album called So There, slated for release on September 11th... with a November tour date to follow! … Violent Femmes Violent Femmes are back at it again. This time, it looks like they are going back to their typical setlist. The key differences from last night’s show and tonight was that Gordon Gano …

BEN FOLDS and VIOLENT FEMMES
Surly Brewing Co. Festival Field
Wed 08/14/2019 (5pm/$49.50/Sold Out)
surlybrewing.com

What an unbeatable combination: Ben Folds (of Ben Folds Five) and Violent Femmes co-headlining the upcoming Surly Brewing Music Festival on Wednesday, August 14th.

If you grew up in the 90s, you’ll probably be at this show… so naturally all general admission tickets are sold out. We’ve seen both acts many times before, but to have them on one bill is pretty amazing.

We saw Ben Folds in 2012 and wrote, “This is a fact, but the Ben Folds Five show I attended in 2012, it was one of the best show I've ever seen. Singer Ben Folds clearly had a lot of fun touring and meeting their passionate fans... and they played all the hits.”

We saw VF in Oct 2017 and said, “Violent Femmes’s triumphant return to First Avenue (their first night) took place last night, July 5th. Having experienced both VF’s shows (July 5th and July 6th), I can tell you, on reflection, that the band really wanted to give fans that attended both nights something worth their time and money. Sure, the popular classic tracks were a staple on all their shows (although rearranged in some cases), but it’s the rarely heard ‘Gimme the Car’ that were indeed special for fans who attended the first night.”

Tour dates:

08/10/2019 Farm Bureau Insurance Indianapolis, IN
08/11/2019 Meadow Brook Amphitheatre Rochester, MI
08/14/2019 Surly Brewing Co. Festival Field Minneapolis, MN
08/15/2019 Water Works Park Des Moines, IA
08/16/2019 Starlight Theatre Kansas City, MO
09/02/2019 Arts, Beats & Eats
09/05/2019 KettleHouse Amphitheater Bonner, MT
09/07/2019 McMenamins Edgefield Troutdale, OR
09/08/2019 Ford Idaho Center Nampa, ID
09/10/2019 The Joint Las Vegas, NV
09/11/2019 Golden 1 Center Sacramento, CA
09/13/2019 Shoreline Amphitheatre Mountain View, CA
09/14/2019 FivePoint Amphitheatre Irvine, CA
09/15/2019 Greek Theatre Los Angeles, CA
09/18/2019 Austin360 Amphitheater Austin, TX
09/19/2019 The Theatre At Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TX

Other shows in the area:

The Alarm at Fine Line Tuxedo 2019 Tour Denzel Curry at First Ave Gauche at 7th Street Thunderpussy at Turf Club Read More Modern English Next up was Modern English, the new wave/post-punk band from Colchester, England. If you grew up in the 80s, you would have heard their signature song ‘I Melt With You’. ..... Tuxedo The funk duo Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One) is releasing their self-titled debut release via Stones Throw Records... the duo is throwing their record release party on March 4th at The Regent Theater.....

THE ALARM
+ Modern English, Gene Loves Jezebel
Fine Line Music Cafe
Wed 08/14/2019 (7pm/$35)
first-avenue.com

New Wave Welsh band The Alarm will be headlining the Fine Line Music Café this August 14th. The band had a massive hit in 1983 with “Sixty Eight Guns”, so expect to hear that song live.

What’s cool is that Modern English is touring with them - you may remember that band is best known for their signature song “I Melt With You”.

Finally, who could forget English band Gene Loves Jezebel? The band is known for quite a few hits in the 80s, but unfortunately due to a falling out between twin brothers Jay and Michael Aston, officially the band is billed as Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel .

Local DJ Jake Rudh (from Transmission) will be DJing before and between sets.

Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel U.S. Tour

August 10 Lawrence, KS Liberty Hall
August 12 St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall
August 14 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line
August 15 Milwaukee, WI Turner Ballroom
August 16 Chicago, IL House of Blues
August 17 Detroit, MI St. Andrews
August 18 Cleveland, OH House of Blues
August 20 Portland, ME AURA
August 21 Boston, MA Paradise
August 23 Huntington, NY The Paramount
August 24 Jim Thorpe, PA Penns Peak
August 25 Falls Church, VA State Theatre
August 29 Asbury Park, NJ Asbury Lanes
August 30 Staten Island, NY St. George Theater
August 31 Philadelphia, PA The Keswick Theater
Sept 1 Norfolk, VA Norva
Sept 3 Charlotte, NC Neighborhood Theatre
Sept 4 Atlanta, GA Masquerade
Sept 5 Orlando, FL The Social
Sept 6 Bonita Springs, FL Southwest Florida Event
Sept 7 Miami, FL The Ground at Club Space
Sept 8 St. Pete, FL Ferg’s Concert Courtyard

TUXEDO
DJ Bonics
Cedar Cultural Center
Wed 08/14/2019 (7pm/$20)
thecedar.org

Tuxedo (the Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One collaboration) is playing the Cedar Cultural Center this August 14. Their new album Tuxedo III will be out on Funk On Sight.

Tour Dates

August 11 Detroit, MI @ El Club
August 13 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
August 14 Minneapolis, MN @ Cedar Cultural Center
August 17 Seattle, WA @ The Showbox
August 18 Vancouver, BC @ Fortune Sound Club
August 19 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
August 21 San Francisco, CA @ Regency Ballroom
August 22 Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst
August 23 Los Angeles, CA @ The Globe Theater
August 24 San Diego, CA @ The Observatory

DENZEL CURRY
First Avenue
Thu 08/15/2019 (7pm/$17)
first-avenue.com

Florida’s rapper Denzel Curry is playing First Avenue on Thursday, August 15.

Tour dates:

8/10-8/11 - San Francisco, CA @ Outside Lands
8/13 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Temple Theatre*
8/15 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
8/14 - Milwaukee, MI @ Eagles Ballroom*
8/18 - Bonner Springs, KS @ Providence Medical*
8/19 - Denver, CO @ The Mission Ballroom*
8/21 - Magna, UT @ The Great Saltair*
8/23 - Los Angeles, CA @ Shrine Expo Hall*
12/3 - London, UK @ The Roundhouse
12/5 - Dublin, UK @ The Helix
12/6 - Manchester, UK @ Academy 2
12/8 - Tilburg, NL @ 013
12/9 - Paris, FR @ Salle Wagram
12/10 - Brussels, BE @ AB
12/11 - Cologne, DE @ Carlswerk Victoria
12/13 - Hamburg, [email protected] Docks
12/17 - Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU @ Rockhal Club

* = w/ $uicideBoy$

GAUCHE
+ Brendan Wells Plant Music, Half Tramp
7th Street Entry
Fri 08/16/2019 (8pm/$10)
first-avenue.com

Gauche is touring in support of A People’s History of Gauche, available now on Merge Records.

Gauche on tour:

Aug 10 Oakland, CA – Oakland Metro
Aug 11 Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios
Aug 12 Seattle, WA – Barboza
Aug 13 Vancouver, BC – Biltmore
Aug 16 Minneapolis, MN – 7th Street Entry
Aug 17 Milwaukee, WI – Cactus Club
Aug 18 Chicago, IL – Subterranean
Aug 19 Detroit, MI – Deluxx Fluxx
Aug 20 Toronto, ON – The Baby G
Aug 22 Montreal, QC – Casa del Popolo
Aug 23 Providence, RI – AS220
Aug 24 Brooklyn, NY – Alphaville
Aug 25 Philadelphia, PA – PhilaMOCA
Aug 26 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery

THUNDERPUSSY
+ Hollis Brown, Seaberg
Turf Club
Sat 08/17/2019 (7pm/$12)
turfclub.net

One of the best live band touring today, Thunderpussy will be stopping by the Turf Club in St Paul on Saturday, August 17th. Thunderpussy’s self-titled debut album came out last year via Stardog Records/Republic Records… a record that Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready lent guitar and production, called his “favorite new band.”

Show up early to check out Hollis Brown and Seaberg & The Black Velvet Punks .

Tour Dates

8/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Milkboy #
8/11: Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery #
8/13: Nashville, TN @ High Watt #
8/15: Indianapolis, IN @ Hi-Fi Indy #
8/16: Chicago, IL @ Reggie’s Rock Club #
8/17: Saint Paul, MN @ Turf Club #
8/19: Bozeman, MT @ The Eagles Ballroom #
8/20: Boise, ID @ Humpin’ Hannah's #
9/30: Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction *
10/1: San Diego, CA @ House of Blues - Voodoo Room *
10/3: Las Vegas, NV @ The Bunkhouse Saloon *
10/4: Los Angeles, CA @ House of Machines *
10/5: San Francisco, CA @ The Midway San Francisco

# w/ Hollis Brown
*w/ Ramonda Hammer

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

Minneapolis: June 9 to June 13, 2017

Here are some concerts taking place in the Minneapolis/St Paul area from June 9 to June 13, 2017.

Read more Minneapolis Music Guide.

Read More Alice Cooper A classic Vincent Price introduction led to the curtain fall and a canvas backdrop of a close-up of Alice Cooper’s eyes as the shock rocker and band launched into the opening ‘Black Widow’ of its too-short 50 minute set. …

ALICE COOPER
at Vetter Stone Amphitheater
Friday 06/09/17 (6:30pm/$39)
verizonwirelesscentermn.com

Rock icon Alice Cooper is bringing his incredibly live show to Mankato’s Vetter Stone Amphitheater this Friday, June 9th. We caught Cooper & Co earlier in December 2015 and said, “Alice Cooper shows no signs of slowing down, and the spirit of Halloween will again swoop in, the next time he plays here.”

If that date doesn’t work for you, he’s also playing the Grand Casino Hinckley Amphitheater in Hinckley, Minnesota.

Cooper’s forthcoming album Paranormal will be out July 28th on earMUSIC.

NORTH AMERICAN TOUR:

Jun 07 - Fox Cities Perf Arts Center - Appleton, WI
Jun 08 - Grand Casino - Hinckley, MN
Jun 09 - Vetter Stone Amph - Mankato, MN
Jun 12 - Paramount Theatre - Denver, CO
Jun 13 - Kingsbury Hall - Salt Lake City, UT
Jun 16 - Thunder Valley Casino - Lincoln, CA
Jun 17 - Cuthbert Amphitheatre - Eugene, OR
Jun 18 - Pepsi Summer Outdoor Concert Series
Jun 20 - Rabobank Theater - Bakersfield, CA
Jun 21 - Pechanga Theater - Temecula, CA
Jun 22 - AVA Amphitheater - Tucson, AZ
Jun 24 - KLAQ Streetfest - El Paso, TX

WITH DEEP PURPLE:

Aug 12 - Chelsea Theater - Las Vegas, NV
Aug 13 - The Greek - Los Angeles, CA
Aug 15 - AK Chin Pavilion - Phoenix, AZ
Aug 16 - Isletta Amphitheatre - Albuquerque, NM
Aug 18 - Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pav - Houston, TX
Aug 19 - Gexa Energy Pavilion - Dallas, TX
Aug 21 - Chastain Park Amph - Atlanta, GA
Aug 23 - Jiffy Lube Live - Bristow, VA
Aug 24 - BB&T Pavilion - Camden, NJ
Aug 26 - Nikon - Wantagh, NY
Aug 27 - Xfinity Center - Boston, MA
Aug 28 P.N.C. Bank Arts Center - Holmdel, NJ
Aug 30 - Klipsch Amphitheater - Indianapolis, IN
Sept 01 - KeyBank Pavilion - Pittsburgh, PA
Sept 02 - Molson Canadian Amph - Toronto, ON
Sept 03 - DTE Energy Music Theatre - Detroit, MI
Sept 06 - Hollywood Casino Amph - Chicago, IL
Sept 08 - Hollywood Casino Amph - St. Louis, MO
Sept 09 - Blossom Music Center - Cleveland, OH
Sept 10 - Riverbend Music Center - Cincinnati, OH

Read More Tuxedo The funk duo Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One) is releasing their self-titled debut release via Stones Throw Records... the duo is throwing their record ....

TUXEDO
at Fine Line Music Cafe
Monday 06/12/17 (7:30pm/$20)
finelinemusic.com

Tuxedo is the collaboration of Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One. If you like any of these artist, the Tuxedo show cannot be missed! Their second record Tuxedo II (Stones Throw Records) features new single ‘Thank You’.

If the new single sounds polished, Hawthorne explains, “The sound really clicked towards the end of recording the first album. This time around we just did it better. It’s like Empire Strikes Back where you already know the characters and you can get straight to the action.”

Special guest King Otto to open.

Tour Dates:

6/2 - Washington, DC @ U Street Music Hall
6/3 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
6/5 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
6/8 - Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel
6/9 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
6/10 - Detroit, MI @ Detroit Music Hall
6/12 - Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
6/13 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
6/15 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Sonic Lunch
6/23 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
6/24 - San Diego, CA @ The Observatory

Read More Cloud Cult As for Cloud Cult, the band's live energy is fun to watch. Personally, I would've liked to have them start with "The Show Starts Now" …

Other shows in the area:

06/09/17 Progressive metal band Tool will be headlining the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul this Friday. Once & Future Band to open. 6:30pm, $75.

06/09/17 New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Maggie Koerner to play Turf Club in St Paul on Friday. AirLANDS to open. 8pm, $10.

06/09/17 The hardest working band in America (averaging 250 shows a year), Chicago’s Marbin will stop by the Icehouse. Generally, these shows start late because of the restaurant business, so note doors opens at 11pm. New Sound Underground to close out the show. 11pm, $8.

06/09/17 Local favorites Cloud Cult will be playing Northrop. They are playing the full score to their award winning film, plus a second set (so no room for an opening band). 7pm, $30.

06/10/17 Old Crow Medicine Show is playing the Palace Theatre in St Paul on Saturday. They are performing Bob Dylan’s Blonde On Blonde in its entirety. 7pm, $35.

06/11/17 Los Angeles’ Moonchild is playing Studio B at Skyway Theatre, in support of their new record Voyager. 8pm, $12.

06/13/17 Sean Rowe is playing Turf Club in St Paul. His new album New Lore is available now on Anti- Records. Jimmy Lumpkin to open. 8pm, $13.

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

Throwing Shade

Read More Ed Kowalczyk Ed Kowalczyk's "I Alone Acoustic Tour" just kicked off this week, in support of his second solo album The Flood and the Mercy via Soul Whisper/Harbour/Caroline Records. If that name sounds familiar …

ED KOWALCZYK
edkowalczyk.com

In 1994, like a million other music fans, I got caught up in the urgent rock and roll York, Pennsylvania quartet Live and their breakout album Throwing Copper. After releasing 1991’s Mental Jewelry, the young band hooked up with former Talking Head Jerry Harrison and holed up at the legendary Pachyderm Studio in Cannon Falls, Minnesota to record what would be the most successful album of the band’s career. The album was hard and heavy, but plenty melodic, boasting modern rock singles like “I Alone,” “Selling the Drama,” and the gigantic “Lightning Crashes,” a song that came to symbolize everything Live stood for: music that you could mosh and contemplate the universe to.

At the center of it all, of course, was lead singer Ed Kowalczyk and his powerhouse vocals. At his quietest, Kowalczyk could summon the kind of gentleness reserved for Michael Stipe, and at his loudest, fill an arena better than Bono. On top of recording five more Live albums, Kowalczyk also ventured solo with Alive (2010), The Garden (2012) and The Flood and the Mercy (2013).

Sadly, Kowalczyk would exit the group amidst inter-band turmoil and 2010 saw the three other members filing a lawsuit against their former lead singer over a sour publishing deal. Despite the acrimonious split, Kowalczyk has continued making new music and touring, including this years acoustic tour in honor of Throwing Copper’s 20th anniversary. I imagine it must be a bittersweet time for Kowalczyk, but from the looks of his Facebook and Instagram, he’s enjoying being on the road, reconnecting with fans new and old. I’m really curious about how he’ll arrange some of Throwing Copper’s faster, wilder songs like “Stage” or “White, Discussion.” And I hope he doesn’t mind people singing along… ‘cause I still know every word to this album. One thing I’m certain of: hearing “Horse” will bring more than a few tears to my eyes.

The first leg of the Throwing Copper Unplugged tour kicked off earlier this month with Mr. Kowalczyk stopping by the Cedar Cultural Center on March 2nd.

Tour Dates:

Feb 24 House of Blues Cleveland, OH Feb 25 Wharton Center East Lansing, MI Feb 27 Duck Room at Blueberry Hill St Louis, MO Feb 28 City Winery Chicago Chicago, IL Mar 01 City Winery Chicago, IL Mar 02 Cedar Cultural Center Minneapolis, MN Mar 24 Soiled Dove Underground Denver, CO Mar 30 Yoshi's Oakland Oakland, CA Apr 01 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach, CA Apr 02 Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Apr 04 Musical Instrument Museum Phoenix, AZ

Apr 24 Bears Den Niagara Falls, NY Apr 25 Swyer Theatre Albany, NY Apr 26 Sellersville Theater 1894 Sellersville, PA May 08 House of Blues Dallas Dallas, TX May 09 House of Blues Houston Houston, TX May 11 City Winery Nashville, TN May 12 Variety Playhouse Atlanta, GA May 14 Ponte Vedra Concert Hall , FL May 15 Capitol Theater Clearwater, FL May 16 Plaza Live Orlando Orlando, FL May 17 Culture Room Fort Lauderdale, FL

Read More Mayer Hawthorne I didn't honestly know a whole lot about Mayer Hawthorne, but it seems like a lot of folks that came to his show already knew him from Passion Pit and also from films and television shows. ....

TUXEDO
tuxedofunk.com

The funk duo Tuxedo (Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One) is releasing their self-titled debut release via Stones Throw Records... the duo is throwing their record release party on March 4th at The Regent Theater in Downtown Los Angeles, featuring live DJ sets from Dam-Funk and Peanut Butter Wolf. The show is sold out.

Here is how they described Tuxedo:

The two Grammy-nominated artists have teamed up to release their debut 12-track album Tuxedo (Stones Throw Records) on March 3, 2015. Mayer Hawthorne and Jake One they are descendants of the one- word moniker family of funk, where you will find groups such as Chic, Shalamar, Plush & Zapp. The Tuxedo collaboration began with an exchange of mixtapes back in 2006. The fruits of a long-standing kinship were three tracks that mysteriously showed up on Internet doorsteps nearly two years ago. In between personal projects, these three tracks became a full album s worth of Tuxedo. The album was mixed by original disco don dada John Morales at his home studio in South Plainfield, New Jersey. I flew out there, Mayer says. His wife made me spaghetti and everything.

The duo is excited to release the upcoming album on Stones Throw Records, which also marks Mayer's return to the label since his debut release of A Strange Arrangement in 2009.

Regent Theater (Sold Out)

Tuxedo is wrapping up their European shows this month... but stay tuned for North American dates in 2015.

Tour dates:

Feb 25 Café A Paris, France
Feb 27 Bird Rotterdam, Netherlands
Mar 04 The Regent Theater, DTLA Los Angeles, CA
Mar 05 Hawthorn San Francisco, CA
Mar 07 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn, NY
Mar 11 Amoeba Music Hollywood, CA

FREE THROW
freethrowband.com

Chicago's Dowsing and Nashville's Free Throw are both touring together, starting next week.

Dowsing are out in support of their 2013 debut LP, I Don't Even Care Anymore and Free Throw are out in support of their 2014 debut LP, Those Days Are Gone... both available on Count Your Lucky Stars Records.

Dowsing / Free Throw Spring Tour:

3/05 - Dekalb, IL @ The House Cafe
3/06 - Madison, WI @ TBA
3/07 - Minneapolis, MN @ TBA
3/08 - Fargo, ND @ New Direction
3/09 - Winnepeg, MB @ Windsor Hotel
3/10 - Sioux Falls, SD @ TBA
3/11 - Omaha, NE @ Reverb
3/12 - Kansas City, MO @ The Scene
3/13 - Ames, IA @ The Pentagon
3/14 - Normal, IL @ TBA
3/15 - Indianapolis, IN @ Hoosier Dome

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

Basilica Block Party 2013

About The Basilica Block Party began in 1995 as a fundraiser to help pay for the structural restoration of The Basilica of Saint Mary. Today, proceeds from the rockin’ and rollin’ are directed through The Basilica Landmark to fund the continued renovation of The Basilica and its campus. This year more than $2 million will be invested in the historic church and campus buildings. These critical investments preserve and protect our landmark today and help to avoid the huge costs of emergency repairs tomorrow. Praise the loud! Read More Basilica Block Party Price: Expensive ($80 for both nights) A few W♥M people are going to be there, this year looks like an all-star lineup: Including David Gray, The Jayhawks, Lissie, Scars, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love & Special Sauce…

Basilica Block Party is an annual music festival taking place in Minneapolis' Basilica of Saint Mary. This year, the event will be place on July 12 and 13th.

Although the festival is expensive, I believe it sells well, if not sells out, every year thanks to promotions from Cities 97 Radio. Proceeds from the event go to the restoration of the Basilica.

Like previous years, the lineup consists of popular national bands, mixed in with local bands. Below are some bands you may want to check out if you're attending this year.

ZZ WARD
zzward.com

Remember ZZ Ward? We were meant to cover her sold-out Minneapolis appearance, but through no fault of our own, we were unable to cover the show. She's actually doing a ton of tour dates, too numerous to mention in this article.

MAYER HAWTHORNE
stonesthrow.com

We saw the Detroit soul singer a few years ago. What is he up to lately? He has a new album called Where Does This Door Go, coming out in a few weeks (July 16, 2013) via Universal Republic. If you can't catch him at Basilica, Hawthorne will be back at the Myth in Minnesota on July 22nd.

FATHER JOHN MISTY
fatherjohnmisty.com

I caught Father John Misty last year and noted how different this new "act" from J. Tillman was. Lara described J. Tillman's show as [his] soothing voice contributed to the sleepy ambience. It's good that Tillman decided to re-invent himself; otherwise, I'm not entirely sure I would've enjoyed a quiet folky beard music. Father John Misty's latest album Fear Fun was released last year on the ever popular Sub Pop Records.

MATCHBOX TWENTY
matchboxtwenty.com

If you grew up in the mid to late 90s, chances are you were a Matchbox Twenty fan. The Florida band scored a massive hit with their debut Yourself or Someone Like You and their follow-up Mad Season album. Then, like that, the band was gone (or as some people put it, "on hiatus"). About four years ago, I got word that the band was come back together, and it eventually happened in 2010. Their fourth studio album North was released late last year.

Here is the full lineup:

07/12/13

Sun Country Stage Grace Potter & … (9:00-10:30) Father John Misty (7:30-8:30) Mayer Hawthorne (6:00-7:00)

Jefferson Bus Lines Stage Matt Nathanson (8:45-10:15) ZZ Ward (7:25-8:25) Family Of The Year (6:20-7:05) Churchill (5:15-6:00)

Vita.MN Stage Actual Wolf (7:00-7:45) Cactus Blossoms (6:00-6:45) Southwire (5:00-5:45)

07/13/13

Sun Country Stage Matchbox Twenty (8:30-10:30) Goo Goo Dolls (6:50-8:00) Kate Earl (6:00-6:30)

Jefferson Bus Lines Stage Raphael Saadiq (9:00-10:15) Walk The Moon (7:30-8:30) Cloud Cult (5:45-7:00)

Vita.MN Stage On An On (7:00-7:45) Van Stee (6:00-6:45) Bomba De Luz (5:00-5:45)

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