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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
Faith and Begorrah! it’s St. Pat’s weekend, and there’s no shortage of concerts and cultural events in the metro to celebrate...anything, really.
You know you’re getting old when a bevy of 1990’s/00’s R&B acts are out on reunion tour packages, as evidenced by a couple shows playing here this week... anyway…
The big show of the week is Blake Shelton at T-Mobile, riding high on his last season of The Voice and he’s bringing along the talented Carly Pearce and newcomer Jackson Dean for a solid night of new country. And Pop Culture fans rejoice- Planet Comicon Kansas City is on all weekend downtown!
Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from March 16th-21st.
THURSDAY MARCH 16
Colony House w little image, The Truman. $28-$42
The Franklin, TN quartet is out on tour in support of new record, The Cannonballers. Led by the Chapman brothers, we caught the Christian-leaning indie band back in 2015 and the tour kicked off last month, stopping in Minneapolis the night before this KC date, as well.
Arrive early for Dallas trio little image, who has a new single, "Ballet" out now, ahead of a self-titled debut due out on May 12th.
Blushing, Pale Dian, Seashine, Lake Love, miniBar, $10
Blushing is an Austin, TX based dreampop / shoegaze quartet comprised of two husband and wife pairs that share a love of making melodic and atmospheric music. The band formed in summer 2015 when after a few years of writing songs Michelle found a musical partner in friend Christina who brought her classical vocal training and bass playing to the project, and also found a fan in Lush’s Miki Berenyi when they covered one of that band’s songs. Tiny venue, low-dough show, ‘Nuff said!
FRIDAY MARCH 17
Planet Comicon Kansas City, Bartle Hall, Mar 17-19 $10.99 (youth)- $230.99
Since 1999, Planet Comicon Kansas City has served as the Midwest’s largest comic book and pop culture gathering featuring a convention center’s worth of exhibits, comic and pop culture vendors, and numerous celebrities and creators. Attend in cosplay of your favorite character and enter the costume contest for pride and prizes. The associated fantasy-themed Fae Ball on March 17 is long sold-out, but there are plenty of after-hours and additional activities, in addition to full days on the convention floor.
This year’s guests include William Shatner, Richard Dreyfuss, Giancarlo Esposito, Cassandra Peterson, and Rachael Leigh Cook, among many others. Comic creators include legendary names like Jim Steranko and Roy Thomas, in addition to newer talent and local favorites. Children under 8 can attend for free and certain discounts are available when booking in advance, online.
Skillet, Theory of a Deadman, Saint Asonia, The Midland, $29.75-$59.75
Canadian rockers Theory of a Deadman and Christian rock band Skillet have embarked on a co-headlining North American tour with support from Saint Asonia dubbed “Rock Resurrection Tour,” that runs through March. Theory has a new single with full album forthcoming, Skillet is touring behind their 2022 release, Dominion, and Saint Asonia released two EPs, Introvert and Extrovert last year.
“We’re super stoked to be touring with our good friends in Skillet and Saint Asonia this winter,” Theory of a Deadman front man Tyler Connolly said in a statement. “We’re also really looking forward to playing new material for our fans!”
“We are so excited to be touring with our friends from Theory again!” Skillet vocalist John Cooper added. “We are looking forward to kicking off 2023 the right way by joining forces for a super-charged rock show! Panheads get ready!”
Blake Shelton with Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean, T-Mobile Center. $59-$249
The Voice coach (for the final season, as he’s reminding everyone!) is also on the road on his Back to the Honky Tonk Tour which runs through the end of the month with solid support from ACM Female Artist of the Year Carly Pearce and Jackson Dean. We caught Pearce last summer with Kenny Chesney at Arrowhead, and thought she was one of the true highlights of the multi-act day. Pearce releases a live album on March 24th and shhh, she might just duet with Blake mid-set.
For the tour, Shelton has also partnered with Propeller and Save The Music. In partnership with digital marketing and social impact platform, Shelton helps support the work of Save The Music, a non-profit organization that helps students, schools, and communities reach their full potential through the power of making music. “Music is the greatest healer, and I know my fans will be just as excited as I am to work together to give the gift of music to as many children across the country as possible.”
Shooting Star, Ameristar Casino, $30-$45
Hang On for Your Life tonight! The Midwest’s premier shoulda-been-huge classic rock band hits the casino stage for a setlist of hits and local radio favorites. Most of the original members have departed, but the new lineup injects some energy into forty-year-old songs.
"Last Chance" and "Hang on for Your Life." Keeping it local and old school, Missouri, another classic area rock band will also be taking the stage to make this a fun and nostalgic evening.
Indigo Girls with the Kansas City Symphony, Kauffman Center, $63.50-$83.5
Featuring Gonzalo Farias and David T. Beals III Associate Conductor--
Known for their folk-rock music, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, the two halves of the dynamic duo, bring their captivating music performing with the Kansas City Symphony. Celebrating their successful four-decade-long career, the program features hits like “Galileo,” “Kid Fears,” “Closer to Fine,” and “Making Promises.” We caught the pair live outdoors in 2015. Low (if any) ticket alert.
Donell Jones, H-Town and Changing Faces, Midland. $40-$125
Throwback Time One! Donell Jones is most notable for the hits "U Know What's Up", "Where I Wanna Be", and his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Knocks Me Off My Feet". Jones' first studio album My Heart, was released in 1996, but he is best known for his late 1990s release of his second album Where I Wanna Be. Album 100% Free came out on digital (and free on his website) in Feb 2021.
aka Julian Scanlan, Slushii is a LA-based DJ, singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for working with artists like Marshmello, Ookay and Jauz, with latest release being last year’s A Slushii Summer.
SUNDAY MARCH 19
Winterlude: KC Jazz Disciples, Polsky Theatre. $17-$35 ($5 students)
Five musicians blend into the trademark KC jazz sound while bringing their unique touch, led by saxophonist Gerald Dunn. Pianist Everett Freeman has toured with Oleta Adams and drummer Michael Warren is a seasoned local talent, having worked with almost everybody. Bassist DeAndre Manning completes the lineup and for this performance, the ensemble will be joined by special guest trumpeter Danny Campbell.
Rewind Tour featuring Bow Wow, Pleasure P, Bobby V. Trina and more, Cable Dahmer Arena. $63-$354
Throwback Time Two! No longer “Lil’” the now-35yr-old Bow Wow is a rapper and actor whose career began after being discovered by Snoop Dogg in the late ‘90s, signed to So So Def Recordings and under the tutelage of Jermaine Dupri, he released his first album at age 13 in 2000.
TUESDAY MARCH 21
Jake Wesley Rogers, The Madrid, $25
The eccentric and innovative pop artist is out on the Peace, Love & Pluto Tour, which is the first as a headliner. The genre-blurring hit maker has a new six-song EP, LOVE, a collection of audacious and heartfelt pop anthems, the set showcases his bluesy bravado on hits like "Dark Bird" and "Lavender Forever" as well as two new tracks, "Call It Love" and "My Mistake."
Last Fall, he opened for Panic! At The Disco during their Viva Las Vengeance Tour, which played mostly arenas and allowed more fans than ever, to be exposed to Rogers’ unique talents. A show at the relatively small Madrid, this one looks special (and is worth overcoming road construction and bad parking options).
We Three, recordBar, $25
Springing forth from Season 13 of America's Got Talent, the Portland, OR pop group has a new record, In Therapy, just out last Friday. Joshua, Bethany and Manny make up the Humlie trio, who have aptly named themselves We Three. Since their debut album in 2018, they’ve had over 200+ million song streams, over a million TikTok followers, and thousands of followers on social media.
Hamilton (musical), Mar 21-Apr 2, Music Hall, $69+
PNC Broadway in Kansas City continues with its most popular and longest-run (here for two weeks!) show of the season! We all know Hamilton by now- the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a unique score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton is told like never before and has created a lasting cultural moment in the process.
With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors. The Disney+ Special is great, but you haven’t seen Hamilton until you’ve seen it live and on-stage!
Nonpoint, Bottleneck. $25
Out on a month-long leg of their Emerald Cities Tour 2023 the trek features support from BLACKTOP MOJO and SUMO CYCO. Says the band, "Follow the Yellow Brick Road and let the epic sounds of these amazing bands guide you on an unforgettable adventure through this all-immersive experience."
Clan of Xymox, BLVD Nights, $25 (ticket link)
After a few necessary re-schedules, the legendary and longtime Dutch band (still led by Ronny Moorings) are finally back on the road again hosting an evening of goth electro-darkness. Limbo was released in 2021 but expect of classic tracks dating all the way back to their 1985 self-titled debut album. The tour is a rare US appearance so shouldn’t be missed, and the intimate confines of this Westport venue, make it more compelling to witness the spectacle in-person.
Bellwether Syndicate, Discord, and Monta as support, for a full night of darkwave goodness.
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