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Dierks Bentley

Get ready to kick up some “Gravel & Gold” with this veteran Nashville singer-songwriter, making a rare appearance in the capital city. The new album was released in February and is still going strong.

Read more Kansas City Music Guide.

Last chance-–

Not only for summer in general, but this week brings the second night of hot Country ticket, Zach Bryan, the last performances of West Side Story before the musical moves on, another chance to catch Dierks Bentley if you missed him last October in Topeka, same with Howard Jones if you didn’t see him last summer with Culture Club, and not one but two chances to see Springfield and Marx delight acoustically with hits and stories.

In other words, still plenty going on, so go see a live show!

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from August 21st-26th.

(ticket hyperlinks are embedded in each show's headline)

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21

Zach Bryan w Levi Turner and Matt Maeson Aug 20 AND 21, T-Mobile Center, $54-$320

Night Two! The Oklahoma Country star is out in support of his new album, “The Great American Bar Scene” which was released July 4^th (via Warner/Betting Broncos) and seemingly came out of nowhere, but it’s in fact, his fifth studio album, which began with two self-released albums. The “Quittin’ Time Tour” takes Bryan to mostly arenas (some multi-night stands like here), alongside a few stadium gigs and wraps in mid-December with two hometown shows in Tulsa.

Shows are mostly sold out and when A-listers like Bruce Springsteen leap up to join you on stage, it’s a safe bet that you’ve “made it”. Bryan’s breakout year was 2022 when he released his widely celebrated (and massive) album, “American Heartbreak”, as well as the live EP “Summertime Blues and All My Homies Hate Ticketmaster” …which, ahem, explains why this show is produced by rival AEG.

Arrive early for support acts Levi Turner, and Matt Maeson who both also embody that outsider spirit, but are no less entertaining with their songs. We’re particular fans of Maeson, who we caught live headlining at The Truman in late 2022.

West Side Story (musical), thru Aug 25, Starlight Theatre, $12-$97

In the also-classic modern re-telling of the Romeo and Juliet doomed love story, two young, idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

The production is a carefully choreographed, half-danced/half-mimed ballet of battles, memorable and familiar songs, and the unforgettable story arc of a couple trying to elevate above it all with the strength of their love for one another.

THURSDAY AUGUST 22

FRIDAY AUGUST 23

Dierks Bentley w Chase Rice and Tanner Usrey, Aug 23, T-Mobile Center, $25.75-$115.75

The longtime Country star resumed his Gravel & Gold Tour this summer, which we caught live last year in Topeka. “It’s time to drop everything you got and come see us on the road,” Bentley said in an online video. Support acts rotate depending on the tour leg, but Kansas City can look forward to Chase Rice *whose “Go Down Singin’ album drops 9/20) and newcomer Tanner Usrey.

As on last summer’s trek, Charlie Worsham will be a part of Bentley’s band. “I brought Charlie in after making this record,” Bentley told Rolling Stone last year. “I kind of joked with him about coming on the road, and he goes, ‘I’d love to!’” Make sure you stay for the fun encore from ‘another band’.

Futurebirds, Aug 23, Granada-Lawrence, $22-$25

The Athens, GA-based rock outfit, have been making music together for some fifteen years, led by Daniel Womack and releasing new and fifth studio record, “Easy Company”. This follows up recent EP, “Bloomin’ Too.” and their critically acclaimed 2021 effort, “Bloomin’.”

The band have been Athens gig regulars, usually playing the annual AthFest there, but is finally getting some national buzz.

SATURDAY AUGUST 24

Charlie Parker Celebration Concert with Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, Aug 24, Folly, $20-$68

104^th Birthday and still a force in the jazz genre– this special concert and culminates in celebrating the legend’s 104^th birthday, following related jam sessions, tours, lectures, exhibits, panel discussions, workshops, and concerts. Highlighting this year’s Spotlight: Charlie Parker will be this Capstone Celebration with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra.

Charlie Parker’s influence continues to imbue every facet of jazz, and this year’s spotlight will brightly shine on his musical legacy through an evening with The Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Emceeing this big band celebration of Parker’s artistry is historian, author, and radio personality Chuck Haddix – who literally wrote the book on “Bird.”

Throughout the evening, Haddix will provide the listener with a rich perspective of Parker stories as KC’s preeminent big band, will perform an evening of purely Parker tunes (songs like “Anthropology” “Parker’s Mood” and “Now’s The Time”), arranged specifically for this concert. This is truly a contemporary celebration of one of the most legendary artists of all time. Bird Lives, indeed!

Rick Springfield And Richard Marx, Aug 24 AND 25, Ameristar Casino, $88-$110

Now Two Nights! The show will highlight the acoustic musical ability and friendship of both artists, known mostly for their solo work in the 1980’s. Rick Springfield had a string of solo hits, including “Jessie’s Girl” and “Don’t Talk To Strangers”. Springfield earned a Grammy Award in 1981 for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance. And followed that success with four more US top ten hits.

Richard Marx’s first success was writing 1984’s “What About Me”, which was recorded by Kim Carnes, Kenny Rogers, and James Ingram. His first hit as a singer came with “Don’t Mean Nothing” from Marx’s 1987 self-titled debut album. Marx had three #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart– “Hold Onto The Nights”, “Right Here Waiting”, and “Satisfied”.

The great thing is both artists are on stage the whole time, telling stories, playing each other’s songs, and even some covers by the likes of Sammy Hagar, Lionel Richie, Vertical Horizon, and the Beatles.

SUNDAY AUGUST 25

Howard Jones, ABC, Haircut 100, Aug 25, Uptown, $49-$109

Legendary singer, songwriter and keyboardist Howard Jones brings back the fun, hits, and musicianship of the 1980’s, along with ABC and special guest (w/original members!) Haircut 100. We caught HoJo live just last summer with Culture Club in Kansas City, which was a lot of fun and filled with familiar hits.

Howard Jones commented, "I'm very excited to be hitting the road with my friends ABC and Haircut 100. Our audiences can look forward to some seriously top tunes night after night! Bring your celebratory selves to the party."

ABC frontman Martin Fry stated, "ABC in the USA. Very excited to hit the road alongside Howard Jones and Haircut 100 for an electrifying summer tour across the USA! Get ready for an unforgettable musical journey as we bring the hits to stages nationwide. Let's make memories and rock the house together!"

Haircut 100's Nick Heyward added, "Ever since our last tour in 1982 we've been pining to play in North America again, so this is a dream come true for us. Come down early and get your dancing shoes on, because there's a lot of catching up to do."

Howard Jones will be joined onstage by his longtime stellar backing band: Nick (Kajagoogoo, Steven Wilson) Beggs (bass), Robin (Fish) Boult (guitar), Dan Clarke (keyboards) and Robbie Bronnimann (keyboards and tech). Jones has sold upwards of 10 million albums worldwide and continues to make new music and tour the world. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Howard's recorded music career, Cherry Red Records released a new best-of compilation, 'Celebrate It Together The Very Best Of Howard Jones 1983-2023' as a 2CD, 4CD Clamshell and a 2LP Mint Green Edition.

Barry Manilow, Aug 25, T-Mobile Center, $14.50-$294.50

In his early 80s, legendary piano man Manilow is on ‘The Last Concerts Tour’, performing in markets for the very last time. “This is not the end of the road for Barry, but it is the final curtain call for these eight cities,” the tour announcement states. “It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m grateful for all the love and support over the years,” said Manilow.

A 2002 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Manilow has triumphed in every medium of entertainment. He has received Grammy®, Emmy®, and TONY Awards® and has been nominated for an Academy Award. Having sold more than 85 million albums worldwide, Manilow is one of the world's bestselling recording artists. He's had 51 Top 40 singles, including 12 #1s and 27 Top 10 hits, and is ranked the #1 Adult Contemporary Artist of all-time, according to Billboard and R&R magazines. (If you’re on the fence, upper deck tix are cheap, though a $14.50 ticket is almost $32 after fees- grrr!)

Jamey Johnson, Aug 25, Grinders KC, $50.50-$90

The Country troubadour is back on the road on his “What A View Tour,” with supporting acts Charles Wesley Godwin, Whitey Morgan, Ben Haggard, Drake White and Southall. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Johnson’s Give It Away Foundation.

“‘What A View’ is the song that brought me back into writing songs,” he reveals. “It is the one that kicked off the desire to make new music. You can expect to hear more new music in our shows from now on. It will be fun. We will do a lot of the old stuff and a lot of the new stuff.”

Johnson’s credits include songs recorded by George Strait, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, James Otto and Joe Nichols, among others. His album That Lonesome Song was certified Platinum, and double album, The Guitar Song, went Gold.

MONDAY AUGUST 26

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