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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
Another extra-sized batch of previews to start the month as summer winds down, but with a flourish of activity. Seems like a more active than usual Labor Day weekend and week following, to keep busy and see as much live music before the weather changes (Oct...err, Rocktober is looking packed too though!)
Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence, KS metro September 1st-10th.
(Several artists are still requiring precautions for entry, so check with the venue and/or assume vaccination proof, might still be required)
Thursday Sept 1
The Driver Era, The Truman. $35-$60
Duo of brother Rocky and Ross Lynch, who were former members of R5. “Malibu” is new single from next month’s Summer Mixtape full-length, and live, have been playing Drake and Michael Jackson covers and a song or two from their previous band.
Three Days Grace, Kansas City Live! $25-$75
The Canadian rock band returns with new single, “Lifetime” from this May’s Explosions album and of course, also have more than two decades of radio hits to draw from.
Friday Sept 2
Idles, The Truman. SOLD OUT
The Bristol UK post hardcore band takes no prisoners live, finally making it to the area after stunning crowds at Coachella and other summer festivals, in support of last November’s Crawler LP. We caught the band live in Minneapolis last fall, just before the new album’s release. Despite their ferocity, they’ve also worked in unexpected Bill Withers and Mariah Carey songs into their recent setlists. As good as they are on record, they are at their most compelling live in-person.
LOCASH, Kansas City Live! Free
We just caught the country music duo of singer-songwriter Preston Brust and Chris Lucas earlier this summer at Country Stampede in Topeka. They have two albums, eight charting singles, and some 500 million global streams, and are riding high at Country Radio with their “Beach Boys” collab with Mike Love and Bruce Johnston from their Woods & Water EP.
Dayseeker, Bottleneck. $22
The Orange County post /metalcore band is out on the road after just announcing new album, Dark Sun and lead single, “Without Me”, but still have strength in 2019’s Sleeptalk album as well.
“Weird Al” Yankovic, Kauffman Center. SOLD OUT
Another chance if you missed his Topeka show! Almost four years after his first foray into unfamiliar territory with his highly acclaimed Ridiculously Self Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, "Weird Al" is pressing his luck again, this time with The Unfortunate Return of the Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour which follows his 2019 tour performed with a symphony.
The biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time, Yankovic promises to deliver a different set list every night, with no two shows the same and will feature Yankovic's non-parody material – the more obscure pastiches and original songs adored by his long-time fans with no costumes and in more intimate venues.
Longtime comedian Emo Philips is scheduled to open, making for a solid night and the two were paired on-screen, back when Phillips demonstrated the proper use of a table saw in the film UHF.
Little Texas, SantaCaliGon Days Fest – Independence, Free!
They’ve had several lineup changes over the last twenty-five years, but hits like “God Blessed Texas” and “What Might Have Been” still live on.
Steel Woods, Granada-Lawrence, $15-$18
Nashville country/Southern Rock group had their All of your Stones album released last May and has previously toured with the likes of Cody Johnson, Whiskey Myers, and Blackberry Smoke and has worked John Anderson and Skynyrd covers into recent live sets.
Kansas City Irish Fest, Sept. 2-4, Crown Center, $30 through Sept. 1, $35 at gate; $55-$70 for weekend
Celebrate Irish culture over Labor Day Weekend with more than 300 musicians and entertainers on seven stages, plus beer, whiskey tastings, and much more. Plenty of live music, including perennial favorites, Gaelic Storm and We Banjo 3, who we’ve seen and are always entertained by, and many more.
K.A.A.N. and Demrick, Encore CANCELED
Saturday Sept 3
Roger Waters, T-Mobile Center. $32-$384 
His This is Not a Drill Tour may not be his last but might be the last of this massive scale. The show is performed in the round in two set, featuring of course, plenty of Pink Floyd classics, as well as many of his solo songs, in what should be an audio-visual spectacle. The 78 yr-old Waters has become even more cranky and outspoken regarding his ideas on politics, global affairs, and the heath crisis, even posting a warning before the show starts, but the classic nature of the music cannot be denied.
Shinedown, Jelly Roll, John Harvie, Azura Amphitheater, $29.50-$299.50
A solid triple-bill outdoor show headlined by the Jacksonville, FL hard rock band in support of new full-length, Planet Zero and its second single, “Daylight”. Live, look for a cover of Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Simple Man” (a Jacksonville band as well).
Jelly Roll is rising rapper Jason DeFord who released Ballads of the Broken last September and has collab’d with Tech N9ne (maybe he’ll show up) and has new single, “Son of the Dirty South” w Brantley Gilbert.
Arrive early for buzzing Nashville alt punk singer John Harvie whose breakthrough single, “Bleach (on the Rocks)” blew up last year and has a brand-new full-length, Told Ya, out now.
Lonestar, SantaCaliGon Days Fest – Independence, Free!
Known for their late 90s/early00’s country hits, “Amazed”, “Come Cryin’ to Me” and more (and having John Rich as a former member), the longtime band has had member shakeups of their own including their original singer leaving (again) last year but has been dutifully replaced by Sons of the Desert’s Drew Womack.
Crowbar, Bottleneck. $20
New Orleans brooding aggro-metal band has a new record, March’s Zero and Below out to support, and has been playing since 1990, with even Pantera’s Rex Brown as a former member.
White Linen Party feat. Stokley, Jon B and Love, Mae C, Kansas City Live! $35-$75
It’s the 18th Annual White Linen Party (we don’t have to tell you what color to wear!) featuring Stokley, Jon B and Love, Mae C, and more, happening downtown. We’re definite fans of the Mint Condition singer, as he was a true highlight at the marathon 2016 Prince Tribute Concert and when singing those classics songs live with The Revolution.
Monday Sept 5
Modest Mouse with The Cribs, GrindersKC. $45-$75
(previously postponed due to weather) - This is a great double-bill as well – Washington indie rockers Modest Mouse returned en force with 2021’s The Golden Casket and we caught them live last August, shortly after the record was released. Lead singer Isaac Brock continues to steer their ship and even recently revealed that new and unheard songs with Johnny Marr may be in the near future, which is a wonderful surprise.
Wakefield UK’s brothers Jarman are a band we’ve followed since 2007. The Cribs returned in late 2020 with Night Network, their eighth studio album and we’ll always remember seeing them in St. Paul on August 1, 2007, just after the bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown Minneapolis, collapsed.
The Floozies with Jantsen, Tripp St. and more, GrindersKC. $28-$75
Based in Lawrence, the duo is producer/guitarist Matt Hill and Mark Hill- brothers who take their approach to electronic music and live performance across the country. The Floozies present Funk Street 7, with support from Jantsen, Tripp St, Esseks & Trash Angel. We caught the electro-funk pair last back in 2017 in Minneapolis.
Megalodon, Practicioner, High Zombie and more, Aura. $20
Known for his impressive chopping style and high energy sets, Megalodon is no stranger to the dubstep scene. Since 2008, the SF-based producer has become more known after collaborations with Zeds Dead, Skism, Habstrakt, 12th Planet, Virtual Riot, and more.
Tuesday Sept 6
Dancefestopia, Sept 6-11, Wildwood Outdoor Center, $99 (single day)-$599
Escape to the magical Emerald City and find yourself in a world of enchantment, wonder, and bass at the 10th annual EDM music, arts & camping festival featuring 200+ artists, world-class production, five stages, art installations and more.Nestled in the rolling hills surrounded by forest and pristine lake water, an hour south of KC the lineup goes five days, with the final three being the biggest nights- deadmau5, Louis The Child, Ganja White Night and Seven Lions will all perform headlining sets.
The Joy Formidable, recordBar $23-$25
One of the sad fallouts of the Riot Room closing for good was the cancellation of this previously announced show, but we’re very glad to see it back on the schedule, as we’ve been fans of the Welsh alternative band since we wrote about them in July 2008 when they released their very first single.
We’ve since seen the band multiple times, the last time being in Nov 2018, and they’re out in support of March 2021’s Into the Blue, which they went all the way to Utah to record.
Wednesday Sept 7
Band of Heathens with Dalton Domino, Knuckleheads. $20
The Americana band recently went into their hometown Austin, TX studio deciding to record their own version of the classic Ray Charles album A Message From The People, paying homage to one of the most important voices in American song history. One set will be the performance of the entire album and another set of their own classic songs.
Stick To Your Guns, Granada. $22
Orange County hardcore punk band released a mostly acoustic EP, The Meaning Remains last year, and have followed that up with full-fledged album, Spectre.
Jake La Botz, Electric Influence Tattoo, Free
Returning to his very clever Tattoo Across America Tour, the outlaw blues singer (actor and meditation teacher too) has a new single, “Let it Fall” from the album Hair on Fire, out Sept 9, playing a free 6pm show with Dr. Dave Duly and Tony O. Come for the music, stay for some ink and/or a piercing!
Andy Mineo, Uptown Theater, POSTPONED
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Thursday Sept 8
Judah & the Lion w Smallpools, Uptown. $35-$69
We’re big fans of the live experience that is Judah & the Lion, seeing them back in 2014, then watching them refine their sound into a folk/rock n roll/hip-hop meld, and some truly memorable and interactive live shows along the way.
The band is down to a core duo (Judah Akers and Brian Macdonald) but has new album Revival and we’re sure, a solid live show to make new memories with.
Luke Bryan w Riley Green, Mitchell Tenpenny, T-Mobile Center, $49.75-$149.75
The American Idol judge and five-time Entertainer of the year will make a visit on his Raised Up Right Tour with special guests Riley Green and Mitchell Tenpenny.
Kevin Gates, Azura Amphitheater, $49.50-$99.50
The Louisiana rapper has a new full-length, Khaza, out in addition to several mixtapes and has a growing fan base including Puerto Rican and Middle Eastern fans who can relate to his heritage and upbringing struggles.
Friday Sept 9
Twenty One Pilots, T-Mobile Center, $35.50-$190
The Ohio duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are one of 21st Century music’s true success stories, rising through great word of mouth about their alt hip-hop songs and mesmerizing live performances, through relentless touring to bigger and bigger venues.
THE ICY TOUR with special guest Peter McPoland features a campfire acoustic set and even songs from A and B secondary stages, ensuring everyone on this massive arena tour, will get a good glimpse of the band playing live. They recently did an MTV Unplugged episode and also a mashup of the Stranger Things theme mixed with their own “Heathens” smash hit.
Oceans of Slumber, recordBar, $15
The Houston prog metal band has a brand-new record out, Starlight and Ash, and are out on their Lighthouse East Tour. The band is not afraid to push the boundaries of their own style or the genre itself, commenting, “"We're going to make music, first and foremost, and it falls where it does. The goal is simply to move forward. Whatever is in the past is there and we cannot create the experience of a period that has passed, or the feeling of an experience that is no longer there... "
Sawyer Brown, Bellamy Brothers, Neal McCoy, Azura Amphitheater, $19-$59
KFKF presents Throwback Throwdown 2022 featuring mostly 1990s Country Radio hitmakers Sawyer Brown, Neal McCoy, and Bellamy Brothers, who each have several memorable songs to take you back to simpler times.
The Guess Who, Ameristar, $36.50-$280
Wow- the band formed way back in 1965 in Winnipeg, hits like "These Eyes," "Clap for the Wolfman," and "Hand Me Down World," still are played on classic rock radio and rock anthem "American Woman" remains their best-known and most popular song.
Randy Rainbow, Uptown. $49.50-$75
Delayed several times, it looks like it will finally happen- The New York comedian (yes, Rainbow is his real last name) found his calling when he released a series of original Broadway-tinged-show-tune and pop spoof videos in response to the theatrics of the 2016 presidential election, soon going viral with his political satire and LGBTQ observations.
Matute, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. $38-$153
Mexican pop covers six-piece formed back in 2007, out on their Quinceañera World Tour. Baila! Baila!
OM w Zombi, Bottleneck- Lawrence, $25
San Fran experimental stoner/doom metal trio who incorporate some Tibetan and Byzantine chant structures into their songs. Zombi is a Pittsburgh experimental duo that uses looping to create their sound.
Kansas City Jazz Orchestra Riff Generation, Medallion Theater. $25
Brand new jazz ensemble that cultivates new music alongside Kansas City’s fabled heritage of the genre. Part of a stand-alone performance series of new, highly collaborative compositions in a modern examination of the Kansas City “riff style.” Musicians audition for a one-year residency and perform these works in a variety of settings.
Saturday Sept 10
Hanson, Sept 10, Uptown, $39.50-$55
Trio brothers Hanson (Taylor, Isaac, and Zac) released their eighth album, Red Green Blue back in May. The album compiles three solo-led projects from each of the brothers and marks the band’s milestone 30th anniversary. Red is Taylor’s songs, Green is Isaac’s songs, and Blue is Zac’s songs and the band’s return to live stages has been very popular (especially among female fans) as we saw firsthand when we caught them live last week in Minneapolis.
Aishwarya Majmudar, Hy-Vee Arena. $20-$75
The so-called Longest Dance Festival this Navratri season is the Rangtaali Festival with singer Aishwarya Majmudar. This former STAR voice of India winner is energetic and electric and promises to bring out the best Garba dance moves in you.
Michael Bublé T-Mobile Center, $65-$165
The GRAMMY-winning, multi-platinum superstar entertainer will be back on the road with his Higher Tour, in support of his new album of the same name, his eleventh, on which he worked with Paul McCartney and Willie Nelson on. Live, he remains captivating to all ages, playing his own songs and covers from Sam Cooke, Dean Martin, Marvin Gaye, and Elvis Presley.
Vista Kicks, recordBar, $20
LA via Roseville, CA rock band who first broke out with 2017’s Booty Shakers Ball and live, remain twenty-something nightmares.
Muscadine Bloodline, Granada- Lawrence, $18-$20
Mobile, AL country duo have a brand-new single out, “Evinrudin” (I’m guessing they like fishing and boating) also putting out their indie EP back in January. Out on their Country Band Contraband Tour, Sundy Best listed as support.
Get Up Kids and more, Lemonade Social, Lemonade Park, $20-$55
Longtime KC emo rockers return, playing debut album, Four Minute Mile and Woodson EP in their entirety.
Ameri’kana Festival, GrindersKC, $20-$75
A fundraiser for Art as Mentorship celebrating the black, indigenous, immigrant and Latino heroes of American music. This family-friendly event features a free block party during the day and a ticketed evening concert at Grinders KC, with appearances from Making Movies, D-Smoke, Steve Berlin and David Hidalgo of Los Lobos, The Sensational Barnes Brothers, and Mireya with special guest Asdru Sierra of Ozomatli.
| john c (johnc@weheartmusic.com) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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