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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
“Do ya wanna get rocked?!”
The big show of the week is the four-act arena rock show headlined by Def Leppard and Motley Crue taking place outdoors at the home of the KC Royals (with VIP tix topping at almost $1K!). Temps look to be in the triple-digits for most of the week, so stay hydrated out there.
Covid concerns continue as both the Earth Wind and Fire and Kansas/.38 Special shows were scuttled last week due to band/crew infections, so take precautions and check those band and venue social channels for any last-minute schedule changes.
Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro July 18th\ – 25th
(Several artists still require precautions for entry- check with the venue for specific details regarding vaxx proof/masks)
Monday July 18
Tuesday July 19
Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe with Poison and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, Kauffman Stadium. $49.50-$945
Back in the late ‘80s, each of these acts respectively could have filled an arena on their own, flash-forward a few decades and they’ve combined forces for an entertaining day at the ballpark.
We’ve seen each separately but not all together, and have to admit, are still a little put out by Mötley Crüe returning after a signed and so-called “final tour” last time out, when we saw them last in 2015. Seeing singer Vince Neil open in 2019 left us a little cold as well, so fingers crossed for better things.
Def Leppard, on the other hand, have a solid new album out, Diamond Star Halos, their twelfth full length and first since 2015. Despite a few recent health scares, Poison continues on as does Joan Jett, a recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member who finally unplugged on 2022’s Acoustics album.
An early 4:30p start time and parking costs start in advance at $30, so plan accordingly.
Motion City Soundtrack, Granada. $34.50
Minneapolis still claims them as hometown heroes and after a pandemic delay, Motion City Soundtrack is currently on their Commit This To Memory 17 Year Anniversary Tour.
Charleston, SC indie band All Get Out has new album, Kodak out, and Long Island musician /vocalist Neil Rubenstein both are scheduled to open.
Dave Mason, Liberty Hall, $45-$124
Decades later, there’s still “only you and me and we just disagree”. The longtime musician best known as a member of Traffic will undoubtedly have you “Feelin’ Alright”.
Wednesday July 20
Thursday July 21
Maren Morris, Starlight, $29.75-$99.75
The GRAMMY-winning country singer-songwriter headlines in support of her newest album, Humble Quest. She began writing the new album songs at the beginning of the pandemic as a series of life changes unfolded—new motherhood, an upended career, the death of her friend and collaborator Michael Busbee, and more.
Live, she of course plays dance hit, “The Middle” and has also been working in a Fiona Apple cover.
Sheryl Crow, GrindersKC. $75-$99
The Missouri native was just recently in town for the Big Slick charity weekend, and this is a chance to see her full set and outdoors. New song “Forever” is one of her best, and is from Sheryl, her recent documentary and accompanying soundtrack album. She’s also working in a Rolling Stones cover into her live show.
Animal Collective, The Truman, $33-$38
Covid postponed this show previously, with all previous tickets being honored- The Baltimore experimental pop art band is back on the road on their Time Skiffs Tour, named after their Feb-released new album, which featured the return of member Deakin, who had sat out the previous release. We last saw them at the Desert Daze Fest in 2019.
Opening on this solid double-bill is Philadelphia’s Spirit of the Beehive, supporting fourth album, Entertainment, Death, which came out last summer and they play somewhat similar psychedelic, experimental pop rock.
Jeff Rosenstock, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $20
The busy Long Island multi-instrumentalist is out in support of last year’s Ska Dream album, and also released one with the Bruce Lee Band, and runs his own label as well. You may have caught him recently on Late Night with Seth Myers performing with buddies in PUP.
Nnamdi, Catbite listed as support.
Chase Rice w Travis Denning, Power & Light District, $20
The former college linebacker and pit crew member is out in support of last year’s appropriately titled The Album, which was a combination of two previous EPs and features the single, “Drinkin Beer, Talkin’ God, Amen”
Friday July 22
Josh Groban, Starlight. $35-$199.50
The Harmony Tour is the first opportunity Groban has had to play songs for a live audience from his 2020 album, Harmony (on Warner Brothers), as a result of the pandemic delay. Groban is a Tony®, EMMY®, and four-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated singer and songwriter, who can still lift you up with one of the most instantly recognizable voices in music. Live, he’s been singing his own songs, as well as those from Frank Sinatra, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Williams, Kenny Loggins and more.
We last saw him back in 2013 (he even recorded an album in Minneapolis), so we’re overdue to catch him live again.
Support acts include Preservation Hall Jazz Band to insure an entertaining and full night of music.
Scarface, The Truman CANCELED
Saturday July 23
John Mulaney (comedian), Starlight. $39.50-$149.50
The two-time Emmy and WGA award-winning writer and comedian has had an eventful last few years, including a divorce, intervention, stint in rehab, and new baby, all of which he happily and humorously details in his live set.
(note: this is a No-Phone show- secure pouches will be provided)
Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass featuring The Hillbenders, Knuckleheads. $27.50-$47.50, two shows early and late.
Loose interpretations of Grateful Dead songs in a Bluegrass manner by this talented assemblage.
Crystal Method, Aura Nightclub, $35
The Las Vegas electronic hit makers are back on the road in support of new album The Trip Out, and it was a bit odd to see them on recent NBC reality show American Song Contest.
Molly Hatchet Sac and Fox Casino-Powhatten, Free
Are they still “flirtin’ with disaster” if there are no original members left? I guess the answer is “Yes” as they do feature a guitarist and keyboardist that were members in the mid-80s, and with a new vocalist, will be playing all the favorites.
FYI, they return to the area over Labor Day weekend, for a bike rally near Lake Perry as well.
Sunday July 24
Monday July 25
King Princess w Dora Jar,Arvest Theatre at The Midland, $25-$49.50
The only bummer of catching them live back in January on the Kacey Musgraves tour, was that technical difficulties cut their set drastically short. Aka Mikaela Straus did apologize, and the crowd did get to hear single “Little Bother”, a collaboration with NY soul singer Fousheé, and “For My Friends”, both a preview of the upcoming record Hold On Baby, due out July 29.
Boy Harsher, recordBar. $20
The Georgia darkwave duo of Jae Matthews and producer Augustus Muller is touring in support of new album The Runner (Original Soundtrack) which accompanies their own conceptual film (on their own Nude Club/City Slang label).
Opener Hiro Kone is aka Nicky Mao, a New York based experimental electronic / techno producer, out in support of last year’s Silvercoat the throng
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