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Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose) opened the show with her guitarist. After ‘Bad For You’ was played, she had an awkward forgetting what city she was in… but eventually.

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April is in full swing and the week brings a mix of something in almost every genre. KC has settled down since voting down the stadium bill tax plan, but still has its challenges in attracting top-tier shows. Kelce Jam announced its lineup for later this summer (don’t expect a Tay-Tay appearance) and other recent show announcements from Glass Animals and Smashing Pumpkins, means the summer is still filling up.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from April 5th-11th.

(FYI, ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show’s headline)

FRIDAY APRIL 5

Clue (Broadway Touring), April 2-7, Kauffman Center, $66-$126

The classic 1985 Hasbro board game comes to life before your eyes with a mystery that will leave you guessing until the twist! Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench?

Put on your sleuthing cap and pay attention to details, while having some laughs along the way, for this fun whodunit, that previously kept them laughing and guessing on the Great White Way.

Neko Case, Apr 5, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $36-$51

Case can be categorized in indie-rock, alt-country, Americana, pop and even art rock. She’s split time between her solo career, indie-rock band The New Pornographers and a handful of other bands including case/lang/veirs, in which the singer worked with k.d. lang and Laura Veirs. Case released her seventh solo studio album in 2018, Hell-On, which leans towards alternative country.

$1 from every ticket will go to Peer Solutions and support their positive youth leadership and development program designed to prevent harm before it begins and engage lifetime ambassadors of positive change (www.peersolutions.org)

Peter Frampton, Apr 5, The Midland,$59.50-$159.50

It’s his 60th year of touring, so the Grammy Award-winning guitarist keeps playing on his "Never EVER Say Never Tour". The musician announced a farewell tour four years ago following a diagnosis of the degenerative disease inclusion-body myositis, but he’s beaten the odds and remains able to do shows.

In 2007, Frampton won a Grammy for "Best Pop Instrumental Album" for "Fingerprints" and in 2014 was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame. He received the Les Paul Innovation Award from NAMM's TEC Awards in 2019 and his album "All Blues" was No. 1 for fifteen weeks on Billboard's Blues chart. In 2020 Frampton was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame, his autobiography "Do You Feel Like I Do?: A Memoir" debuted on The NY Times Bestsellers list.

SATURDAY APRIL 6

Set It Off w/Crown the Empire, DeathbyRomy, Caskets, Apr 6, The Truman, $29.50-$60.

The trio are embracing their newfound status as an independent band by breaking the chains that once held them back. Recent singles “Evil People”, and the nu-metal “Punching Bag,”have reinvigorated Cody Carson (singer/lyricist), Zach DeWall (guitarist), and Maxx Danziger (drummer) to create a world over a decade following their debut record, Cinematics (2012).

“We feel like we’re a new band again,” drummer Danziger says. “This is the most fun we’ve ever had, and we’re going to keep chasing that feeling. We want to take over the world.”

Randy Rainbow (comedy), Apr 6, Uptown, $39-$75

The four-time Emmy® and Grammy®-nominated American comedian, producer, actor, singer, writer, satirist, host, and author is best known for his popular web series. His first full-length studio album, A Little Brains, A Little Talent, debuted at #1 and earned Rainbow his first Grammy® nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2023.

Chayce Beckham, Apr 6, The Hat- Manhattan, $17

Country fans – consider a trip West to the Little Apple- Beckham is a rising star whose tour will give fans a sneak peek into Beckham’s soon-to-be-announced debut project. RIAA-certified Platinum hit single “23” earned 4.6 million on-demand streams per week and counting and is surging toward the top five at country radio.

“I have a brand new show, and I’m beyond thrilled to be back on the road and touring again this year,” says Beckham. “With a new set and new music coming very soon, I’m itching to get in front of some crowds and sing these songs with my band. I’m really proud of the work we’ve done to create this experience for the fans of country music.”

SUNDAY APRIL 7

Dan + Shay, Ben Rector, Hailey Whitters, Apr 7, T-Mobile Center, $24.50-$124.50

Over the last decade, Dan + Shay has amassed over 10 billion global career streams, 10 No.1’s at country radio and more than 120 total RIAA Multi-Platinum, Platinum and Gold certifications to date world-wide. They are also among only a handful of artists to join the Billions Club on Spotify by reaching 1 billion streams on the platform, an achievement that’s a rarity within the country music genre. Their first-week streaming total for the mega hit “10,000 Hours” earned them the biggest first-week streaming total in country music history.

They’re the first-ever coaching duo on NBC’s Emmy-winning The Voice, we caught them live a couple summers ago with Kenny Chesney at Arrowhead Stadium. They’re out on their headlining 2024 The Heartbreak On The Map Tour produced by Live Nation, featuring support from acclaimed singer-songwriters Ben Rector and Hailey Whitters. We remain fans of Rector (an unexpected opener to this Country bill) and this is a low-dough show for being an arena gig, so can recommend you going.

Kublai Khan TX w Sunami, Judiciary, Momentum, Apr 7, Granada- Lawrence, SOLD OUT

The Texas hardcore/metal quartet is having a massive year- latest single “Low Tech," is a solid introduction to the band’s pummeling, confrontational sound. In between shows, they’re in the studio with producer Randy Leboeuf working on the follow-up to 2022's Lowest Form of Animal EP.

“As a thank you for selling out so many shows and supporting our upcoming headliner, we want to give y’all a new bone to chew on,” said the band in a statement about the new song. “‘Low Tech’ – A meat and potatoes mosh metal landmine for all our Neanderthals out there. Brought to y’all smoking hot straight from the fire pit. Share it. Learn it. And see it live. We haven't done a proper headline tour in four long years, It's time to bring it back with some of the best bands we can bring with us. This is the first wave. See y'all soon."

MONDAY APRIL 8

Chappell Roan, Apr 8, The Midland,$25.50-$50.50

The social media sensation finally comes to KC – pop hooks, honest songwriting, and a heavy dose of glitter make up the world of Chappell Roan, the next multi-faceted force in pop music. Her debut album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess," made a splash when released last September (via Amusement Records/Island Records) and we caught her live last October in Minneapolis. Fans usually dress in themed outfits, so check social channels regarding the show.

Tyler Ramsey w/ Hello Darling, Apr 8, Knuckleheads,$15

Twenty years into a solo career, which includes a decade as the lead guitarist in Band of Horses (2007-17), Ramsey has a talent for delivering delicate vocals with a full-bodied embrace. The songs on his fifth album, New Lost Ages, sound intimately familiar, rooted in acoustic guitars and piano, and traverse through indie to folk to rock.

TUESDAY APRIL 9

Kai Wachi, Apr 9, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $35-$50

Cry Wachi!- Prepare to be enveloped by the sonic metamorphosis of his Morphosia EP. Released under the Kannibalen Records banner, Morphosia is 11 tracks, showcasing the production skillset of Wachi’s prowess while retaining his signature bass-driven energy. The project boasts collaborations with some of dance music’s most captivating vocal talents, including Dia Frampton, RUNN, and SOUNDR.

Live, fans can witness the debut of his new stage design, aptly named “The Cage.” Joining Kai on select dates will be Space Wizard, Hairitage, NIMDA, Prosecute, Yosuf, with special guest appearances by Rusko and MUST DIE!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 10

Nation of Language w Beach Fossils, Apr 10, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $34-$47

Dream-pop band Beach Fossils and synth-pop trio Nation of Language are out on a co-headlining tour, in support of their recent albums – Beach Fossils released their fourth studio album, Bunny, while Nation of Language shared Strange Disciple last September.

Bunny follows their 2017 album Somersault, as well as the 2021 release The Other Side of Life: Piano Ballads, an album of jazz reimaginings of songs from across their catalogue. Nation of Language is a local favorite (basically having formed at recordBar in KC) and Strange Disciple is the band’s third album and the follow-up to 2021’s A Way Forward and 2020’s Introduction, Presence.

Geoff Tate (ex-Queensryche), Apr 10, Knuckleheads, $32.50

The former Queensryche vocalist has returned on his Big Rock Show Tour which promises the band’s many radio hits, along with a few deeper cuts. Tate has recently released records under the name Sweet Oblivion featuring Geoff Tate. Those albums, a self-titled 2019 release and 2021’s “Relentless,” will be joined by a third Sweet Oblivion album this year, assuming current plans hold.

Tate’s return is dramatic following open heart surgery in June 2022 that involved installing a valve on his heart and he recently wrapped a co-headlining tour with Adrian Vandenberg.

“It’s got a set list of songs that comprise all of the different records I’ve released over the years,” he said. “These are the singles, the radio singles, the video singles, from the albums. I’m also adding some deep cuts for the hardcore fans, songs I haven’t played before.”

THURSDAY APRIL 11

Kane Brown, Tyler Hubbard and Parmalee, Apr 11, T-Mobile Center, $44.95-$139.95

Raised in Georgia and Chattanooga, Tennessee, Brown first earned a following through social meeting, posting covers of songs by Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson and others, eventually releasing his debut EP "Closer" in June 2015. It was followed with the single "Used to Love You Sober," that October.

In 2017, he became the first artist to have simultaneous No. 1 hits on all five main Billboard country charts. Some of his biggest hits include "Thank God" featuring his wife, Katelyn; "Famous Friends," featuring Chris Young; "Lose It", "What Ifs" and "Bury Me in Georgia".

Hubbard is formerly of Florida Georgia Line and released his self-titled debut solo album in January 2023, featuring debut solo single “5 Foot 9,” which hit No. 1 at Country Radio, was certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA.

Parmalee consists of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas, along with their cousin Barry Knox and family friend Josh McSwain, and is known for their distinct harmony and radio favorites, including Billboard’s Most Played Country Song of 2022, “Take My Name.”

Wood Brothers, Apr 11, Madrid Theatre,$36-$76

Siblings Oliver and Chris Wood, alongside Jano Rix are out in support of last April’s LP release, Heart Is The Hero. Live, they recently been working in cover versions from Tom Petty and Sister Rosetta Thorpe, so expect a fun and folky evening.

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