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Read more Kansas City Music Guide.
Summer’s definitely here- it’s hot and staying hot, but at least we’re not seeing the worst of that Canadian wildfire haze. Some gaps this week in live music as expected, but we’re celebrating not one, but two National Holidays!
July 4th is of course, Independence Day, but July 7-8 in Kansas City are “Swiftie Days”, as Taylor Swift comes to town for two long sold-out, anticipated shows at Arrowhead on her Eras Tour.
Let’s take look at the Kansas City/ Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from July 1st - July 11th.
SATURDAY JULY 1
Young the Giant w Milky Chance, Talk, Starlight, $29.50-$69.50
The Irvine, CA band’s fifth LP, American Bollywood, was released in November, compiling their four recent EPs. In fact, we just saw them live in Minneapolis this week! They’ve opened live with the title track and recent new single “Wake Up” so expect that and hits like “Cough Syrup”, “Something to Believe In”, and Superposition” live.
Meanwhile, Berlin duo Milky Chance dropped their latest project, Trip Tape II, in October.
Fleet Foxes w Uwarde, The Midland, $39.50-$79.50
The acclaimed Seattle indie-folk band are still on the road in support of their 2020 Grammy nominated album, Shore, an album leader Robin Pecknold described as a “celebration of life in the face of death” (which would prove timely listening during the pandemic years).
Our shows last summer were by far the best of our career and we can’t wait to do it again in a few months,” Pecknold said in a statement. “It’s an honor to bring this music to life with and for everybody and we hope to see you there. With love and gratitude.”
Shore collaborator Uwade Akhere will support the band and also provided additional vocals on three of the album’s tracks. Prepare for some unreal harmonies to be heard as performed by all.
Michael Ray w Caylee Hammack, Big Time Grain Co, Baldwin City Golf Course, Free!
Located just south of Lawrence, Baldwin City will see national recording artists Michael Ray and Caylee Hammack visit for Independence Day festivities. Opening will be local favorite, Big Time Grain Company. The event itself is free, though expect charges for parking, food, beverage, etc.
Ray’s new record is Dive Bars & Broken Hearts (out last week via Warner Nashville) which traces a boy coming into his own, chasing life and girls, getting his heart broken and learning to man up. The Florida-raised Country singer has, among other accolades to his credit, four No. 1 songs– “Think a Little Less,” “Whiskey And Rain,” “Kiss You in the Morning, "and “One That Got Away” – with over 1 billion global streams, over 150 million YouTube views, and has performed at the Grand Ole Opry more than 70 times.
SUNDAY JULY 2
Between the Buried and Me, The Truman, $25-$50
Out on their The Parallax II Tour, the Raleigh, NC prog metal band will perform The Paralax II: Future Sequence in its entirety, as well as other tracks. The Paralax II: Future Sequence was released in October 2012 as the follow-up to 2011 EP, The Parallax: Hypersleep Dialogues. The band would continue to use this sequential format for future releases (Automata I and II; Colors II), creating distinct thematic sagas within their discography.
MONDAY JULY 3
TUESDAY JULY 4
WEDNESDAY JULY 5
THURSDAY JULY 6
Randy Rogers Band, KCLive!, Free!
Their new album Nothing Shines Like Neon rings with authenticity from the same line up has been performing together since 2002- Rogers and band mates Geoffrey Hill (guitar), Johnny “Chops” Richardson (bass guitar), Brady Black (fiddle), Les Lawless (drums) and Todd Stewart (utility player) remain one of the top bands on the Texas music scene.
FRIDAY JULY 7
Taylor Swift w Muna, Gracie Abrams, GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, July 7 and 8, SOLD OUT
Swifties unite! The Eras Tour is the ongoing sixth major (and second stadium-sized) concert tour by Swift. Described as a journey through all of her "musical eras" it is a tribute to all of Swift's studio albums, including her latest, Midnights (2022), and those that did not have a tour due to the pandemic: Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), and Evermore (2020).
The tour began in Glendale, AZ in mid-March, and is set to conclude next August in London. And shows have lasted over three hours, with a set list of 44 songs divided into 10 distinct acts.
We love the lineup top-to-bottom, as young opener Gracie Abrams (daughter of J.J.) is currently crushing it with single, "I Know It Won't Work" off her Interscope Records debut, Good Riddance, and we're big fans of fellow LA band MUNA, who released their third and self-titled full-length album last year via Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory records/Dead Oceans. They knocked us out opening for Kacey Musgraves last year and are taking a break from their own headlining Life's So Fun Tour, to join on this leg. Arrive Early to catch them all!
Legally Blonde (musical) July 7-13, Starlight,$16-$100
A fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, Legally Blonde The Musical follows the transformation of Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Her life is turned upside down when her boyfriend Warner dumps her so he can attend Harvard Law.
Determined to get him back, Elle charms her way into the prestigious law school. While there, she struggles with peers, professors, and her ex. With the support of some new friends, Elle quickly realizes her potential and sets out to prove herself to the world. Action-packed and exploding with songs and dynamic dances. Word is, even local dogs have been cast for the show.
The James Hunter Six, Knuckleheads. $24.50
Over the span of 30 years, James Hunter has worked on the railway, busked in London, provided backup vocals and guitar for Van Morrison, played venues all over the world, written scores of original songs, and recorded some of the best rhythm and soul albums of the last two decades. By 2006, Hunter was recognized with a Grammy nomination and an American Music Award. The band hit the road for a decade of extensive touring and recorded albums including The Hard Way (Hear Music, 2008), Minute by Minute (Fantasy, 2013), Hold On! (Daptone, 2016), and Whatever it Takes (Daptone, 2018).
Last Valentine’s Day, Daptone Records presented With Love, The James Hunter Six, a heart-shaped collection of candle-lit ballads and love songs. These twelve melodies have been selected and sequenced with great care, tenderness, and intention by Daptone staff for the sole purpose of compiling some of the overlooked treasures in his critically acclaimed catalog.
SATURDAY JULY 8
Sparks,The Midland, $37.50-$85
Brothers Ron Mael and Russell Mael will celebrate their more than 50-year history and newest and 26th studio album, The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte, released May 26, via Island Records. The album is described by the brothers as a record that is “as bold and uncompromising as anything we did back then, or for that matter, anytime throughout our career.”
Their lauded career-spanning 2021 documentary film, The Sparks Brothers, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun Of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver), brought the duo a new awareness.
Sparks’ 2021 film musical Annette, directed by Leos Carax and starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, has received many awards- the film won three Lumières Awards and five César Awards in France. In addition, the film’s “So May We Start” was shortlisted for “Best Original Song” at the 94th Academy Awards.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Ameristar Casino, $50-$68
Now celebrating over 50 years since forming in 1966, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band have existed from their early days as a large ensemble to the critically acclaimed folk and country rock group that they are today. Despite their heyday existing in the late 80's where they charted three number one singles, their popularity has seen a recent resurgence with continuing dedication to touring and recording.
Having virtually outlasted every other folk/country rock band from the Sixties, with their last studio album Speed of Life recieving acclaim for its minimal post-production tinkering. However, their most popular song was their 1970 hit cover of "Mr. Bojangles", originally recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker. In addition, their Nashville-recorded 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken? remains to date, their most successful.
Billy Bob Thornton and The Boxmasters, Knuckleheads, $35-$55
The Boxmasters are out promoting their brand-new record, “69,” one of many records they’ve made over the last several years. Country rock, progressive, blues, outlaw rock’n’roll, with roots in the ’60s and ’70s, Billy Bob Thornton, J.D. Andrew and band can flex many styles of music as we saw when we caught them live in Topeka in the summer of 2021.
SUNDAY JULY 9
MONDAY JULY 10
TUESDAY JULY 11
Gogol Bordello, Truman, $30-$60
The Gypsy Punk rockers return to the road for a North American summer tour, kicking off right here n Kansas City! The international punk band is led by Ukrainian front man Eugene Hütz, and the band’s latest album, Solidaritine, takes them back to their hardcore roots. According to Hütz, “Solidaritine is the substance that unlocks our empathy and our full human potential … May this be your punky uplift for our packed with troubled times.”
Gogol Bordello has been active in efforts to support Ukraine in its war with Russia. Last March, the band led a benefit concert at NYC’s City Winery with friends including Patti Smith, Suzanne Vega, Matisyahu, Craig Finn & Franz Nicolay (The Hold Steady), Jesse Malin, Lady Lamb, Marc Robert (O.A.R.), and Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields).
| john c ([email protected]) ♥ weheartmusic.com ♥ twitter.com |
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