We♥KC – February 1-15 Upcoming Shows (Kansas City / Lawrence KS)

February is upon us and other than a mostly mild winter, there’s not too much to celebrate.

Our KC Chiefs were bounced out of the playoffs in an overtime thriller and the pandemic is still putting a lot of tours on hold, but the good news is that many acts are still carrying on and the season is starting to get busier.

Luke Bryan, Slipknot, Decemberists, and Poppy all have had recent show announcements, though navigating through the postponements and cancellations is like being an air traffic controller, but everything below is current as of press time.

Here’s what’s happening in the Kansas City/Lawrence area for the First half of February:

Despite the piano man recently catching Covid and having to cancel his Dallas shows, the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour is determined to continue (look at that top ticket price!) and the show is on (as of this writing), with attendees recommended to arrive early and be seated by 8pm. 

El Ten Eleven, RecordBar. $15

UPDATE: CANCELED Magic City Hippies w courtship, Madrid

The Miami trio’s new AM rock/poolside pop record, Water Your Garden was just released, with member Robby Hunter saying, “Water Your Garden is the first album we created while all three of us were in separate places around the US. Completely remote and sending songs back and forth throughout quarantine- while everyone was locked down in their respective homes. Pat finally moved out to LA- locked down in his studio. Robby moved out into the mountains of Montana, and John held down the home base in Miami.”

Make sure to arrive early for courtship, who we caught last fall with Dayglow.

The extra fluffy comedian hits the road once again, playing this small suburban arena. 

UPDATE: POSTPONED to Feb. 18 Josh Abbott Band, Granada – Lawrence, $22-$25

This Sacramento EDM duo should maybe collaborate with Magic City Hippies, but in the meantime have brought along Daisy Guttridge and promise some fun Covid-era dancing. 

UPDATE: CANCELED Hembree with Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear and Dreamgirl, The Truman. $15-$20 (postponed from Nov. 26)

Hometown heroes’ second album, It’s a Dream! Is finally released this coming Friday and the band has a solid three-act release party to celebrate.  Of the new record lyricist Isaac Flynn says“This album is a fully-realized vision for the band. I want this record to lift people up, and for the music to be a positive experience in their own lives.”

Sounds like the affirmation we can all use. 

Galactic, Knuckleheads. $28-$38.50

Augustana (solo tour), Granada Lawrence, $22.

Iliza Shlesinger, Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland POSTPONED TO APRIL 8

Smile Empty Soul, Bottleneck – Lawrence POSTPONED

WHM loves this Liverpool trio and we’ve had them on our radar since 2006, when they only had secured a small record contract in Japan.  Flash forward a decade-and-a-half and the band is still going strong, despite being located in separate corners of the world. 

The new album is Fix Yourself, Not the World, a result of files being shared back and forth, and a handful of producers including Jacknife (U2, Killers) Lee putting their finishing touches on things.  A previous Oliver Nelson remix went viral on TikTok as well, introducing them to an even wider audience. 

Rising openers Clubhouse are Columbus, OH-based (and probably itching to tell the KC crowd how the Bengals are Super Bowl-bound and the Chiefs are not). 

Hailey Whitters , Knuckleheads, $17-$20

(Your) Baroness, Bottleneck- Lawrence POSTPONED to APRIL 2

                                                               Tuesday, February 8
UPDATE: Canceled Devotchka,  recordBar, $25

Marcus King, Uptown Theater, $35-$59

Set It Off, Granada- Lawrence. $25

Jamestown Revival with Robert Ellis Knuckleheads POSTPONED (?)

Sweden comes to the heartland as the Gothenburg death metallers are out in support of their seventh studio album, Moments, which was mixed/mastered by the acclaimed Jens Bogren. 

The band brings with them Canadians Kataklysm and Essen, Germany’s Nailed to Obscurity for a rare and truly international head-banging affair.

The Beach Boys, Kauffman Center. $54-$104

Fun, fun, fun will undoubtedly be had as the band plays hits from six decades of music. 

We caught the band’s good vibrations back in 2019. 

The Black Angels, Bottleneck – Lawrence POSTPONED

Blues rock with a touch of Zep – the lauded singer takes on Robert Plant and company as she releases A Tribute to Led Zeppelin on Feb. 25, via Provogue/Mascot Label Group, so expect some familiar classics. 

Arrive early for the talented and Buddy Guy-mentored young guitarist Quinn Sullivan. 

Everything Is Terrible! RecordBar, $15 

Now this might be the ideal remedy for any Covid blues we’re all having- the video and performance art collective has unearthed thousands of forgotten DVD & VHS tapes aimed at yesterday’s youth to bring you their most mind-melting movie to date.

Watch in awe as all colors of the rainbow join forces to destroy the tyranny of adult civilization!  A feature film, live performance (with likely life-size puppets) and need we say, the unexpected, make this potentially the most talked-about show of the new year. 

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, Kauffman Center POSTPONED

Kyle with Col3trane and Leven Kali, Granada. $29

Todd Barry(comedian),  recordBar, $20

Skillet, Tauren Wells, KB, Colton Dixon, T-Mobile Center, $10/door

                          Saturday February 12

Anat Cohen Quartetinho, Folly. $20-$55

Sleigh Bells, The Truman. $30-$60 UPDATE: Postponed to August 10

Kolby Cooper, Uptown. $22

Rosanne Cash, Lied Center. POSTPONED TO MAY 5

The Salt Lake City quartet recently released a new live record, Live from the Troubadour recorded at the legendary LA venue and bring their guitar-heavy indie rock style to songs like “Kilby Girl” and “Heavy” and the young band has already played festivals like Lollapalooza, ACL, Ohana, and others.  Nothing says a Valentine’s night out like a Backseat Lovers show.

Opening are friends and fellow Utah-based indie rockers Over Under.

Guardin, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $20-$23