Let’s take look at the Kansas City/ Lawrence / Topeka KS metro musical happenings from May 24th-31st. Have a good Memorial weekend!

WEDNESDAY MAY 24

THURSDAY MAY 25

The Mavericks, May 25-27, Knuckleheads. $49.50-$74.50

Bueno, Bueno! Widely respected as one of the most dynamic live music bands in the country, The Mavericks return with an added multi-cultural/bilingual energy added to their musical melting pot. The genre-bending band puts their unique spin on Latin American music classics as heard on their acclaimed Spanish language album "En Español,” as well as new originals, and many of their longtime fan favorite greatest hits in this multi-night area stand.

Cirque du Soleil- Corteo, May 25-28, T-Mobile Center, $87-$230

Returning to town with an in-the-round dazzling show that first premiered in Montreal in 2005. Corteo, means "cortege" in Italian, a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.

The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us.

FRIDAY MAY 26

Chicago, Starlight. $39.50-$129.50

The longtime band is still regularly on the road and also releases new records with last year’s Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment being their latest. With its 38 studio albums and more than 100 million records sold, Chicago is one of the longest-running and best-selling music groups of all time.

This "rock and roll band with horns" found success with their original sound of pop and rock fusion, including hits "Make Me Smile," "Saturday In The Park," "25 or 6 to 4," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," and many more.

Les Claypool's Frog Brigade (performing Pink Floyd- Animals), GrindersKC, $45-$201.

After twenty years, Claypool recently resurrected his group the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade for a tour this spring and summer and much like Primus covering Rush during their recent shows, the band will be performing Pink Floyd's 1977 seminal album, Animals, each night on tour.

The band will feature Sean Lennon on guitar, Harry Waters on keys, and Paolo Baldi on drums, along with longtime cohorts Skerik on saxophone, and Mike Dillon on percussion. In 2020, Claypool reissued the 2001 album Live Frogs as Live Frogs: Set 1 & 2, which also includes a full performance of Animals recorded October 8–9 of 2000 shows in San Francisco.

SATURDAY MAY 27

shame w/ Been Stellar, Bottleneck- Lawrence, $20

The rising London post-punk band has returned with their third full-length, Food for Worms, which just came out at the end of last month. Three buzzing singles were released beforehand, doing exceptionally well on the other side of the pond, “Fingers of Steel", "Six-Pack" and "Adderall".

After they missed Rock the Garden in 2018, we finally caught the band live, last summer headlining in Minneapolis. They've been busy touring the UK and Europe, so are ready to hit our shores with a bang.

NYC indie five-piece Been Stellar will provide support, in support of last August's self-titled EP.)

SUNDAY MAY 28

Hammerfall, Granada. $25

The Swedish metallers return to these shores in support of 2022’s Hammer of Dawn, "We can't wait to be back and celebrate our new album with our fans in the U.S. and Canada!" said Helloween vocalist Andi Deris.

"Hammerfall will accompany Helloween on their North American tour next year!" added Hammerfall. "The highly successful 'United Forces' tour will continue across the ocean in May and June, serving as the perfect prelude to the summer. You asked for it so here we go!"

MONDAY MAY 29

TUESDAY MAY 30

The Bros Landreth, Knuckleheads, $20

Canadian sibling duo The Bros. Landreth welcome a new day with Come Morning, an album that marks both a rebirth and refinement of the JUNO-winning band's blend of North American roots music and harmony-heavy soul.

Brothers Joey and Dave lace their melody-driven songs with layers of atmospheric synth, organ, and textured guitar. Come Morning sketches a markedly different picture, showcasing the introspection and clarity that comes with a long period of rest.

Aladdin (musical), May 30-June 4, Music Hall, $35-$125

From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s the theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.

Aladdin features all your favorite songs from the Disney film versions as well as new music written by Tony® and Academy Award® winner Alan Menken with lyrics penned by the legendary Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast), Tony Award winner Tim Rice (The Lion King, Aida), and book writer Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer).

Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Something Rotten!), this new musical boasts an incomparable design team, with sets, costumes and lighting from Tony Award winners Bob Crowley (Mary Poppins), Gregg Barnes (Kinky Boots), and Natasha Katz (An American in Paris).

The Wailers, Bottleneck. $23

The legendary reggae band is hitting the road on tour, continuing the magic of their timeless classics and incredible cuts from Bob Marley‘s vast repertoire under the guidance of Aston Barrett Jr. and featuring the addition of vocalist Mitchell Brunings.

The Wailers are also working on a new album, which is set to be released in the second half of 2023. Produced by Emilio Estefan, the album promises to be some fresh takes on the band’s classic sound.

In 2020, they made a comeback with album, “One World“, which earned a Grammy® nomination for Best Reggae Album.

WEDNESDAY MAY 31

Drain, Bottleneck. $25

One of the most buzzing bands in hardcore right now, known for high-intensity live shows, the Santa Cruz trio is headlining the 2023 edition of the Monster Energy Outbreak Tour, celebrating their anticipated sophomore album, Living Proof (out via Epitaph Records).