We♥KC! May 9-15, 2023 Upcoming concerts/shows (Kansas City / Lawrence, KS)

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City/Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from May 9th-May 15th.

TUESDAY MAY 9

Tenacious D, Starlight, SOLD OUT

Jack Black and Kyle Gass shamelessly describe themselves as the Greatest Band in the World: Tenacious D began as the pair playing together in Kyle’s studio apartment in Los Angeles in 1994 and three decades later, are still going strong on this their Spicy Meatball Tour. Expect…err, the unexpected, D-ciples! We memorably caught them at a Rock the Vote concert in St. Paul, MN that was headlined by the Beastie Boys, in what would be one of their final shows. Steel Beans is scheduled to open.

Holding Absence, The Bottleneck-Lawrence, $23-$25.

The Welsh rock band from Cardiff formed in 2015 and consists of lead vocalist Lucas Woodland, guitarist Scott Carey, bassist Benjamin Elliot and drummer Ashley Green and are out on their Live & In Monochrome tour before heading back in the studio for album number three. The Plot in You headlines and Thornhill and Banks Arcade on the bill, makes for a full evening.

WEDNESDAY MAY 10

Godsmack w I Prevail, Azura Amph, $35-$125.

The Boston rockers’ new album, "Lighting Up The Sky", was released in late February 24 via BMG. With first single being, "Surrender"which prefaced the LP, out last fall.

Singer Sully Erna has stated that the new record will be the final collection of original material. He explained: "It's the most important record, I think, we've ever written and recorded.” Erna went on to clarify that GODSMACK does not intend to stop playing live shows. "I wanna make sure people are clear about what we're saying here," he said. "I'm not saying that the band may be breaking up. What I'm saying is I think this may be the last body of work you get musically from the band.”

Off! recordBar, $20

The punk supergroup have announced a Spring tour in support of their latest album, which dropped last September, garnering acclaim for the LP’s blend of old-school punk, jazz, and hardcore. Formed in 2009, the supergroup has been relatively quiet over the past decade, with the new LP being their firs! full-length since 2014. The band’s current lineup features frontman Keith Morris (Circle Jerks, ex-Black Flag), guitarist Dimitri Coats (ex-Burning Brides), drummer Justin Brown (Thundercat, Flying Lotus), and bassist Autry Fulbright II (…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead).

Steve Miller Band w Cheap Trick, Starlight, CANCELED

THURSDAY MAY 11

Billy Idol, Uptown, SOLD OUT

On this 15-stop Spring tour, if you want tix, there are /No More, more, more!

Idol will be joined by his longtime backing band, including Steve Stevens, his lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator for more than 40 years. Earlier this month, Idol received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where Henry Rollins and Shepard Fairey made speeches in his honor. In September, Idol released the new EP The Cage. He also plays Cruel World Fest in Pasadena on May 20th alongside fellow legends such as Siouxsie Sioux, Iggy Pop, Echo & The Bunnymen, and more.

Logan Mize, The Truman, $25-$50

The KS native country-rock singer, songwriter and guitarist with recent single “Can’t Get Away from a Good Time,” released to country radio by his label Arista Nashville, is gaining increasing buzz.

“Sunflowers,” which is an ode to his home state, will be used as an official state tourism song promoting Kansas. Mize has also been named an official Kansas Brand Ambassador by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and will promote Kansas as a visitor destination.

My Sister My Brother (Garrison Starr + Sean McConnell), Knuckleheads,$15

The songwriting duo of Garrison Starr and Sean McConnell, surprised fans, and themselves, with the new single “Cry Me A River” out now.

Addressing their fans on social media McConnell admits, “We could lie to y’all and say we are pulling a Beyoncé surprise drop, power move. But in actuality, due to the digital gods, we’re just as surprised as y’all are. So… SURPRISE! Meet ‘Cry Me A River” The pair debuted in 2020 with their self-titled EP. and follow up My Sister, My Brother II is due September 29^th.

Behzod Abduraimov Solo Recital Park ICM, The Folly,$10 (student)- $50

Following his debut success at Carnegie Hall in 2015, Behzod has had a rise to stardom in the classical music world, performing with leading orchestras worldwide. An award-winning recording artist, his most recent album, “Debussy, Chopin, Mussorgsky” was released in January 2021 by Alpha Classics. He serves as Park University’s International Center for Music’s artist-in-residence.

FRIDAY MAY 12

Kansas City Jazz Orchestra- Riff Generation, Medallion Theater, $22.50

May installment featuring a 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.

KC Ballet- Bliss Point May 12-21, Kauffman Center, $34-$134

Kansas City Ballet presents Bliss Point – ballets by Mark Morris, Jiří Kylián, and Alexander Ekman, an exciting combination of three unique contemporary dance pieces, each with its own distinctive style and message.

The first piece, Sandpaper Ballet explores the relationship between movement and music, as the dancers gracefully move across the stage to a percussive score, creating a mesmerizing visual and auditory experience.

Next, Petite Mort features twelve dancers performing to the music of Mozart, exploring themes of sexuality, death, and rebirth through a series of elegant and sensual movements.

Finally, Cacti offers a playful and humorous take on contemporary dance, as the dancers interact with and manipulate large cacti on stage.

Saving Abel, PBR Big Sky. $20

The rock band from Corinth, Mississippi was founded in 2004 by Jared Weeks and Jason Nulland is named after the biblical story of Cain and Abel, in which Cain kills his brother Abel.

Lead singer Jared Weeks left the band at the end of 2013 to pursue a solo career, but returned in 2021, replacing Scott Austin. Dave Moraata, the drummer of Week's solo project, would be replacing Steven Pulley Most recent release is Blood-Stained Revolution (2014)

SATURDAY MAY 13

Country Roots Fest feat Chris Young, Trace Adkins, Gabby Barrett, Clay Walker, JoDee Messina, Legends Field, $59-$139

In celebration of their 30th anniversary, Q104 presents a festival that features Bars ft. Craft Whiskey Cocktails & More; Craft Food & Retail Vendors, Outdoor Game Experiences, Line Dancing Area, Art Installations, and oh yeah, plenty of Country Music.

Deafheaven, Madrid Theatre,$25-$39

The Californian black metal/shoegaze quintet released their fifth studio album, Infinite Granite, in late 2021. The album saw the band take a dramatic departure from the black metal influences that had been a core part of their sound from their inception, shifting to a more melodic, shoegaze-oriented style.

Pat Green, Ameristar Casino, $40-$55

Classic country boy and proud Texan Pat Green loves his home state and he's not afraid to show it. With songs like "Texas on my Mind" and "I Like Texas."

Get Happy: A Judy Garland Centennial Celebration with Michael Feinstein, Helzberg Hall, $57.50-$117.50.

Featuring Gonzalo Farias, David T Beals III Associate Conductor and Michael Feinstein, vocalist and piano, with the Kansas City Symphony, we travel through the life and songs of Judy Garland, celebrating her 100th birthday. This brand-new multimedia concert event features big screen film clips, never-before-seen photos, rare audio recordings, and of course, great music.

Feinstein is an American singer, pianist, and five-time Grammy-nominated recording artist. He is an archivist and interpreter for the repertoire known as the Great American Songbook. In 1988 he won a Drama Desk Special Award for celebrating American musical theatre songs

SUNDAY MAY 14

Tom Russell, Knuckleheads. $40

Singer songwriter, painter, essayist, Russell takes the stage for a special show that will include “the hits” as well as selections from his new album to be released in the spring of 2023, as well as his latest “October in the Railroad Earth” ….of course, Russell will tell some stories, and have original art, prints and books for sale.

Jan Kraybill Pipe Organ Concert, Kauffman Center,SOLD OUT

A special, solo pipe organ concert to honor moms of all types! "Music from the Heart," features Jan Kraybill performing at the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ in Helzberg Hall.

The 75-minute program illustrates many shades of love, with compositions by Bach, Howells, and more, concluding with the finale of Paul Ayres’ Fantasy-Sonata on “Over the Rainbow.”

Watsky, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $30-$50

The rising hip hopper as evolved to include elements of rock, jazz and orchestral arrangements, along with his blend of occasionally funny always honest wordplay. In 2016, his album x Infinity reached #4 on the Billboard rap chart, and his debut essay collection, How To Ruin Everything was a bestseller.

Shortly after, he began a 3-album series by releasing his 2019 album Complaint and toured extensively. The final album in the three-part series, Intention, was released this year and saw notable features from T-Pain, Rachel Zegler and Abhi The Nomad.

Zero 9:36, May 14, Encore at Uptown. $23

MONDAY MAY 15

Agent Orange with Suzi Moon, May 15, RecordBar. $25.49

Ugly Kid Joe with Fozzy and Pistols at Dawn, May 15, The Truman. $19.89-$38