Slight slowdown in live shows coming through, but a last burst before they slow further around the holiday season.

Anyone that got into the Thundergong benefit on Saturday was thrilled to see a torrid Jason Sudeikis / Hannah Waddingham surprise duet (+ Hannah and Brendan Hunt on “Love Shack”), “Swelce” is still burning bright in Argentina and big shows are announcing for 2024 including Drake, Pantera, Green Day, Kenny Chesney and Greta Van Fleet- look for our 2024 Preview soon.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from November 14^th – 19^th .

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 15

Lake Street Dive w Monica Martin, Nov 15, The Midland, $39.50-$89.50

The semi-acoustic Gather Round Sounds Tour hits 18 cities including KC and features fan favorites, deep cuts and new material all presented in an easy going, living-room-style setting. Elevating the group to the top of the indie rock scene, the band’s hit single “Good Kisser” claimed a top five Americana radio spot in 2018.

Nick Lowe's Quality Rock & Roll Revue with Los Straitjackets, Nov 15, Knuckleheads, $35-$55

Having recently wrapped up his tour with old friend Elvis Costello and shows in the UK and Japan, Lowe is back with Los Straitjackets in tow again, for a guaranteed fun evening. Lowe has made his mark as a producer (Elvis Costello-Graham Parker-Pretenders-The Damned), and a songwriter of at least three songs you know by heart, short-lived career as a pop star, and a lengthy term as a musicians’ musician.

Los Straitjackets are the leading practitioners of the lost art of the guitar instrumental. Using the music of the Ventures, The Shadows, and with Link Wray and Dick Dale as a jumping off point, the band has taken their high energy brand of original rock & roll around the world clad in their trademark Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling masks.

Dark Star Orchestra, Nov. 15, the Madrid, $40-$55

In addition to these fall dates, Dead tribute band Dark Star Orchestra announced their annual Jam in the Sand event, which will go from Jan. 9 through Jan. 12 in Runaway, Jamaica and includes Melvin Seals & JGB, Circles Around The Sun and Donna The Buffalo among other acts.

Dirty Honey, Nov 15, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $27-$59

Out on their “Can’t Find the Brakes” Fall North American tour, count us as fans of this classic sounding blues rock band, from the couple recent times we’ve caught them live. Following a run of late-summer dates supporting Guns N’ Roses, the rising Los Angeles rock act will kick off the headlining run with Austin Meade as support.

New drummer Jaydon Bean recently joined the group prior to its European trek earlier this year, rounding out a lineup that includes vocalist Marc LaBelle, guitarist John Notto, and bassist Justin Smolian. They’re just out with their sophomore album, also titled Can’t Find the Breaks, following lead single “Won’t Take Me Alive” but the band shines brightest live in concert.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 16

Aerosmith w the Black Crowes, Nov 16, T-Mobile Center, POSTPONED to 2024

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 17

Stavros Halkias– Fat Rascal Tour, Nov 17, The Midland, $25-$55

On his Fat Rascal Tour, the comedian, actor, and writer originally from Baltimore and currently based in Queens made a splash with his debut special, “Live at the Lodge Room”. He’s a former co-host and founding member of the popular podcast “Cum Town,” which ran from 2016-2022, and was a writer and performer on the MSG network’s “People Talking Sports and Other Stuff.” He’s appeared in Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Featuring series and recently starred in the independent film Salesmen.

Beauty School Dropout and Not a Toy, Nov 17, the Rino, Sold Out

Beauty School Dropout is a LA-based rock band comprised of Colie Hutzler, Beepus, and Bardo. Spearheaded by A&R Mark Hoppus under the new label Verswire with Pete Wentz and Sherry Saeedi, Beauty School Dropout have been turning heads since their debut in 2022.

Their debut album, ‘We Made Plans And God Laughed’ released in 2022, has garnered over 20+ million streams and counting and featured a list of collaborative efforts including Blink-182's Hoppus on ‘Almost Famous." and their sophomore album ‘READY TO EAT’ was released last month.

Not a Toy is not a band but a collective of four creatives according to them – Branson Hoog [lead vocals], Jeremy Marmor [guitar], Benji Spoliansky [drums], and TJ Wessel [violin, keys].

Skeletal Remains, Nov 17, Granada-Lawrence, $26-$30

On their Ancient Unholy Uprising Tour with guests: INCANTATION, Skeletal Remains, Stabbing, Unmerciful ahead of possibly their first record since 2017's …Of The Dark Light and their first with vocalist Ricky Myers.

Suffocation said in a statement. "The USA and Canada won't know what hit 'em! By the way — If there was ever a tour you do not want to miss, THIS is the one because we've got a lot of surprises in place for fans so look for some HUGE announcements coming soon, you guys have waited long enough."

Tom Papa (comedy), Nov 17, Uptown, $29-$49

The veteran comic is a critically acclaimed and accomplished personality who has created a name for himself as an author, actor, film and television writer, radio and podcast host while maintaining his live on-stage career. His own podcast is called Breaking Bread with Tom Papa where he encourages his listeners to take a seat, break bread, and enjoy the comedy in life.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 18

Speedy Ortiz w Spacemoth, Nov 18, The Bottleneck-Lawrence, $16-$18

The Philadelphia alternative band released new album, Rabbit Rabbit, on September 1 on Wax Nine with lead single being “Plus One”. We last caught them in Minneapolis in 2018, supporting Liz Phair.

A high-energy waltz taking cues from the “Texan post-hardcore” that bandleader Sadie Dupuis loved as a teen, “Plus One” tackles the topic of trauma through a personal lens. The song was co-produced by Illuminati Hotties’ Sarah Tudzin and blends Dupuis’ lyrics with a tom-driven drumbeat, layers of fuzzy guitars, and double-tracked vocals.

Lucero and Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Nov 18, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $38-$62

One of the best live bar bands plays a historic downtown theater- Lucero released their newest album, Should’ve Learned by Now, in February. They’re joined by Jason Boland & The Stragglers for a full night of solid beer-stained saloon rock.

Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) and Autograph, Nov 18, Ameristar Casino, $40-$55

Turn Up the Radio and get ready to go Round and Round! – the founder, lead singer and songwriter of RATT, Pearcy has been a pioneer of the early 80's Sunset Strip rock scene. Pearcy formed RATT in LA in 1982 from his previous band Mickey RATT. Atlantic Records recognized their potential by signing the band, resulting in the 1984 album “Out of the Cellar”, which became one of their many multi-platinum successes. Expect some classics, maybe an Arcade song or two, and a headbanging opening set from Autograph as well.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 19

Dying Wish, Nov 19, The Rino, Sold Out

Out on an extensive US tour with Boundaries, Foreign Hands, and Roman Candle, the extreme metallic hardcore band is infused with a punk spirit. The diverse group forged a musical and activist identity in the DIY scene. The band includes guitarists Pedro Carrillo and Sam Reynolds, bassist Andrew Le, and drummer Jeff Yambra with Emma Boster’s distinctive vocals.

The band also aligns with the continuing battle for liberation, encompassing the issues affecting BIPOC, the environment, and more intersectional causes while dealing in personal struggle and trauma in equal measure.

National Touring act coming to Kansas City, Lawrence, KS, Topeka, KS, or vicinity? Let us know so we can spotlight the appearance-email johnc@weheartmusic.com