Turkey Day approach-eth!

It’s a good time to reflect on the year that’s almost ended and to be thankful, including for the shows that have come through this year. Although KC’s missed a bunch due to competition from Omaha, Springfield,and St. Louis, and the market lost its main alternative station (96.5), it’s still been a good year for shows and 2025 with its early announcements and venue improvement news (Starlight, KC Live!) will hopefully keep it a market worth stopping for.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from November 20th to 30th

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

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 20

ZZ Top, Nov 20, The Midland, $39.75-$129.75

“That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” has been at it for well over a half century, delivering rock, blues and boogie on the road and in the studio to millions of devoted fans. ZZ Top is virtually synonymous with beards, hotrod cars, spinning guitars and that magic keychain, and continues on their “Evolution Tour”. We caught them live last summer in Kansas City.

As a touring entity, they’ve been on the road over the past five decades, having performed before millions of fans on four continents and have been the subject of their own Grammy-nominated documentary titled That Little Ol’ Band From Texas. The band’s line-up of the bearded Billy Gibbons Dusty Hill and Frank Beard, who ironically is clean shaven, remained intact for more than 50 years until Dusty’s passing.

When Dusty temporarily departed the tour in the summer of 2021, it was a given that Elwood Francis would be the perfect choice to stand in for Dusty until he could return. But Dusty’s return was not to be, and Elwood continues to handle the bass duties for the band now and into the future, complete with a 17-string bass.

The Staves, Nov 20, Bottleneck-Lawrence, $26-$30

The UK folk sister duo have released a new song, "Waiting for the Joy," and are out on an acoustic tour for this fall, celebrating their spring 2024 album, All Now, which was released on Nonesuch Records.

"The song began in the throes of the first lockdown when the feeling of isolation was so prominent," the Staves' Jessica and Camilla Staveley say of the new song. "Everyone seemed so inspired, and we were worried that we weren't inspired by music in general anymore."

The Staves released their third album Good Woman, an album of love and loss, in February 2021. “There was a delayed reaction to trauma and these big changes out of our control,” says Jess of the period. The band—like the rest of us—were forced to sit with their thoughts but also were still processing the death of their mother and other seismic changes: Emily had stepped away from the band to focus on motherhood, while Camilla reckoned with her own mental and physical health issues. Due to their connection and friendship with Bon Iver, the sisters lived in Minneapolis for a while, before decamping back to their native UK.

Pop Evil / Bad Wolves, Nov 20, Granada Theater-Lawrence, $35-$109

Pop Evil and Bad Wolves have teamed up for the co-headlining "The Animal Instinct Tour". "It's difficult to express how excited I am to get back on the road again with the boys," says Wolves guitarist Doc Coyle. "Co-headlining with a powerhouse like POP EVIL will be a real treat for fans of both bands and will keep us on our toes to bring our A-game every night. It's a true honor to share the stage with them, SIERRA PILOT and ONI. BAD WOLVES will be performing an eclectic set including songs from 'Die About It' that we haven't played yet, and I'm sure some surprises. The band is firing on all cylinders right now, and this will be a hell of a way to close out 2024. LFG, Wolfpack!!!"

"We are stoked to announce, 'The Animal Instinct Tour' with our friends in BAD WOLVES." shares Pop Evil. "This tour will be full of high energy and radio hits from start to finish. Can't wait to see you all out there!"

Hip-Hop Nutcracker, Nov 20, Kauffman Center, SOLD OUT

A holiday mash-up for the whole family, The Hip Hop Nutcracker returns for another spectacular tour. Directed and choreographed by Tony and Olivier Award-nominated Jennifer Weber, this contemporary dance spectacle is a re-mixed and re-imagined version of the classic, hip-hop dance and Tchaikovsky’s timeless music together into an inspirational holiday event.

Just like the original, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince go on a dream adventure battling a gang of mice, visiting the land of sweets and learning the lessons of the holiday season. Innovative digital graffiti and visuals transform the landscape of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s beloved story from traditional 19th Century Germany to the diverse sights and sounds of contemporary New York City.

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 21

Theory of a Deadman (unplugged), Nov 21, Uptown, $39-$99

Theory of a Deadman brings their Unplugged Tour and will be joined by Saint Asonia and Cory Marks. “We are excited to announce that this fall we’re hitting the road again for a special ‘Unplugged’ Tour playing your favorite songs stripped down and bringing along some amazing special guests!” Theory says.

Jamming together in basements throughout high school, the band burst out of their small hometown of North Delta, British Columbia with the self-titled, “Theory of a Deadman,” during 2002.

In addition to their double-platinum breakthrough album “Scars & Souvenirs” (2008) and gold-certified “The Truth Is…” (2011), they have notched a procession of hits, including the gold-certified “All Or Nothing,” “Bitch Came Back” and “Lowlife,” platinum-certified “Angel,” “Hate My Life” and “Not Meant To Be,” double-platinum “Bad Girlfriend,” and triple-platinum “RX (Medicate).” In 2020, “Say Nothing” landed at No. 2 on the Billboard Alternative Albums Chart and No. 3 on the Rock Albums Chart.

Now, the quartet — Tyler Connolly (lead vocals, guitar), Dave Brenner (guitar, backing vocals), Dean Back (bass), and Joey Dandeneau (drums, backing vocals) — once again deliver a barrage of anthems, beginning with the single “Dinosaur” and more to come.

Saint Asonia united hard rock luminaries Adam Gontier (vocals, guitar) and Mike Mushok (lead guitar) under a new banner, joined by Cale Gontier (bass) and Cody Watkins (drums). Respectively, Adam Gontier and Mushok had reached stratospheric heights in Three Days Grace and Staind, topping charts, packing venues, and selling millions of records.

Josh Gates Adventurer, Nov 21, Kauffman, $59.50

Adventurer, television personality and author Josh Gates is the host and executive producer of the smash-hit Discovery Channel series, Expedition Unknown.

Josh will take viewers around the world and off-the-map with stories from his greatest expeditions and insights into the world’s greatest mysteries. From misadventures to thrilling moments of discovery, Josh keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. VIP packages include: A premium ticket and access to a pre-show meet & greet

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 22

Here Come the Mummies, Nov 22, Madrid, $28

It’s the return of the eight-piece funk-rock band of 5000-year-old Egyptian Mummies with a one-track mind. Their "Terrifying Funk from Beyond the Grave" is sure to get you into them (and possibly vice versa).

Since their discovery, HCTM has been direct support for P-Funk, Al Green, Mavis Staples, KC and the Sunshine Band, and Cheap Trick. Some say they were cursed after deflowering a great Pharaoh’s daughter. Regardless, HCTM’s mysterious personas, cunning song-craft, and unrelenting live show will bend your brain, and melt your face. Get ready! Here Come The Mummies.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23

Waxahatchee and Caleb Hearon, Yeehaw Benefit, Nov 23, The Midland, $30-$60

Y'all better hold on to your horses & get ready for the 3rd annual YeeHaw Benefit Show- Promised to be bigger and better than ever! Yeehaw is a variety show benefiting the KC Tenant Union and is hosted by Caleb Hearon and Katie Crutchfield (Waxahatchee) and guests include Briston Maroney, Samia, Beth Stelling, The Salvation Choir & more!

KC Tenants is the citywide tenant union, an organization led by a multigenerational, multiracial, anti-racist base of poor and working-class tenants in Kansas City. KC Tenants organizes to ensure that everyone in KC has a safe, accessible, and truly affordable home. We believe the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution. To us, organizing is fundamentally democratic; it relies on developing tenant leaders to learn their rights, tell their own stories, and determine their own liberation.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24

TopHouse Nov 24, The Granada-Lawrence, $20-$25

The Montana-raised, Nashville-based Americana/Folk band is made up of Jesse Davis, Joe Larson, Will Cook, and Andy LaFave.

Created in 2015, the band began as a duo when two Music Composition majors at the University of Montana, guitarist/songwriter Jesse Davis and violinist William Cook, realized they loved playing music together and wanted to start – immediately. Lacking both a drummer and a singer, the first iteration of TopHouse was a virtuosity 'Celtic folk' instrumental duo with next-to-no connections. For about a year the pair performed in the bottom of parking garages and eventually snuck their way into a local farmer's market and then moved onto the illustrious stardom of coffee shops, breweries, and weddings.

Joe Larson, a singer, songwriter, and guitar/banjo player, joined the band in 2016. In 2021 TopHouse was invited to be the house band for Tennessee Brew Works and began performing in and around Nashville. After a difficult year of waiting and hoping, TopHouse prevailed, performing in events like the Local Show and going on their first official tours. In 2022 Andy LaFave the pianist joined TopHouse. Andy a songwriter and musician that regularly releases his own music under his solo project Don't Dance, has performed with William and Joe since childhood.

Their new EP "Theory" is out now, the band says, “the EP represents some theories we hold about life. Pressing on, taking chances, learning humility, being satisfied, etc. There's also a song called Airport! and it's about going to the airport which we think is pretty neat”

MONDAY NOVEMBER 25

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 28

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29

Katy Guillen and the Drive w Frogpond, Nov 29, recordBar, $24.36

The KC favorites return to town for a Turkey Day weekend gig- Katy Guillen on guitar & vocals and and Stephanie Williams on drum sculpt a melodic, heavy, and soulful sound while maintaining an edge of their rock & roll and blues roots. We caught them live a couple years ago in Lawrence.

Through the course of writing, refining and recording their debut full-length album, “Another One Gained,” Katy Guillen & The Drive delved into the catharsis of a bittersweet moment in time, the 10-track effort was met with high praise upon its 2022 release. Accompanied by drummer Stephanie Williams’ melodically exacting rhythms, Guillen’s emotive guitar playing aligns with her lyrics to meet at the crossroads of suffering and silver linings.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30

Sarah Brightman A Christmas Symphony, Nov 30, The Midland, $49.50-149.50

It’s Sarah’s magical celebration of the holiday season! Every year she shares her critically acclaimed holiday show with audiences in countries around the world… and this year is no exception! Sarah is excited to bring ‘A Christmas Symphony’ to just 14 new cities, 13 in the US and one special show in Mexico for the very first time!

‘A Christmas Symphony’ begins the previous night in Thackerville, OK and concludes in Mexico City, MX on December 18th. Accompanied by her orchestra, choir and special guests, she will be performing many of her holiday classics and greatest hits! ‘A Christmas Symphony’ is such a special way to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Three VIP levels are available for the show as well.

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