March Madness is here–

Not college basketball, but the concert season, which is already busy enough that the below listings only cover the weekend. The weather’s still a little too warm-then-cold again to begin any outdoor shows, but there’s plenty going on at all sizes of venues, to find some fine entertainment. (Speaking of the other March Madness, we’re just hoping KU has a better next season).

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence metro musical happenings for the upcoming week, from March 7th, 8th, 9th:

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

FRIDAY MARCH 7

Spencer Sutherland w Cloe Wilder, Mar 7, Madrid, $24-$67

Rising pop artist Spencer Sutherland is out on his 26-date 2025 North American headlining tour, in support of his sophomore album, “The Drama”, released last October.

It’s a theatrical take on the classic concept album, a 3-act modern rock opera with soulful arena anthems and glam rock vintage flair, as he voyages through the excitement, heartbreak, and resilience that arise from chasing his dreams.

The first act “Welcome To The Show!”, is the excitement of the beginning of a journey, chasing the dream. The second act “A Tragedy!”, is the heartbreak, loss and demotivation from the dream. The third act, “God Save The Dream!”, is the re-ignition of love. It’s the attitude of brushing your shoulders off and never stopping.

He comments, “The Drama’ is what I like to call Opera Pop Rock. The rock n roll drive mixed with glamorized over-the-top lyrics makes you feel confident. If you were watching a movie of your life, wouldn’t you want to laugh and cry? What’s life without a little drama?”

Arrive early for hotly buzzed rising folk/Americana/pop artist Cloe Wilder, who recently released her new single “Cigarette,” co-written with Sutherland and Sam Nicolosi, which touches upon a key period of teenage transition for the 18-year-old artist.

Wilder made her musical debut at 14 years old releasing her first EP, Teenage Lullabies, in 2021. She’s since amassed over 10 million total streams and collaborated with Angus & Julia Stone, Nicolosi, Merōn, EZI, Jackie Young, and Mike Molina.

Winona Fighter, Mar 7, Encore at Uptown, $17

The Nashville-based punk rock band composed of front woman Coco Kinnon, guitarist Dan Fuson and bassist Austin Luther is out on their “Yes Chef Tour”, in support of album, “My Apologies to the Chef” out last month (via Rise Records), following the success of the lead single “Hamms in a Glass.”

They embrace their Do-It-Yourself beginnings and work ethic, self-producing the release- “We want to do it all ourselves, in our garage studio, all just our hands on it,” Kinnon said. “Keep the DIY spirit alive.”

Cruzar la cara de la luna, Mar 7-9, Kauffman Center, $39-$219.50

This mariachi opera by José “Pepé” Martínez and Leonard Foglia is the first of its kind, marrying two musical worlds with one thing in common: each finds its fullest voice in the telling of moving tales, and Cruzar is no exception.

After leaving his wife and son in Mexico to find work in the US, Laurentino is torn between distance and duty. Decades later, and with days to live, he looks back on how the choices he made became the secrets he kept, with consequences that will redefine what it means to be a family.

With sorrowful serenades, Cruzar creates a musical merger that spans the distance of its cultural differences with bittersweet songs that make full use of their enhanced ability to take an emotional toll. The Grammy® Award-winning mariachi band Mariachi Los Camperos will perform with Lyric Opera of Kansas City in this production. Performed in Spanish and English, with English & Spanish titles projected above the stage.

SATURDAY MARCH 8

John Waite, Mar 8, Ameristar, $25-$116.75

His catalog of hits spans over 40 years- as a solo artist, with The Babys and Bad English, which include the #1 worldwide hit ‘Missing You’, The Baby’s ‘Isn’t It Time’ and Bad English ‘When I See You Smile”,‘Tears’, ‘Change’ and ‘These Times Are Hard For Lovers’. and many many more.

Waite has one of the most distinctive voices of his generation and his songs were a fixture on album-oriented rock radio stations during the ’70s and ’80s. John Waite has a talent for power ballads and driving arena rock, occasionally touching on new wave-styled power pop as well.

We caught him live a couple years ago in the KC suburbs and can say his voice still has it, and his current band includes the former guitarist of Matchbox Twenty.

John Crist (comedy) Mar 8, The Midland, $29.75-$149.75

The popular comedian is out on the spring leg of his ‘Jokes For Humans Tour,’ adding 21 more dates across the US to a run that started last year.

Known for his no-holds-barred humor, Southern-bred wit and relatability, Crist has amassed more than 1 billion video views and earned a loyal fan-base of over seven million followers across social media. The Georgia native-turned-Nashville resident has brought his laugh-out-loud sets to packed audiences around the globe, and the tour features a full set of never-before-heard material.

Glixen w/She’s Green, Mar 8, Howdy, $15 (PWYC)

The Phoenix shoegazers (Aislinn Ritchie on vocals / guitar with Esteban Santana on guitar, Sonia Garcia on bass and Keire Johnson on drums) are on tour in support of their second EP “quiet pleasures” (released Feb 21 on AWAL and on vinyl thru Wichita Recordings). Count us as shoegaze fans in general and we caught the band live a year ago in Minneapolis.

Their DIY sound consists of tender melodies encased inside shiny walls of grungy textures and heavy guitars, incorporating playful ethereal vocals and shimmering guitars.

Arrive early for Minneapolis band she’s green who we saw at that same show, a hometown gig for them. Since then, they’ve been signed to NYC’s Photo Finish Records, and have released a follow-up to their Wisteria EP from 2023. Their new single “Graze” continues their momentum, produced by Slow Pulp’s Henry Stoehr, with layers of fuzzy acoustic guitars that build into a crashing climax.

High, March 8, the Farewell, $15 (PWYC)

The New Jersey four-piece band is out playing in support of their sophomore EP Come Back Down (via NYC indie Kanine Records), announced last year, along with singles “In A Hole” and “Catcher”.as the follow-up to their debut EP, Bomber which helped put them on the map.

“It feels good, and it’s a relief,” says bandleader Christian Castan, who told Stereogum about releasing the EP. “We’re proud of it, and we’re happy to have our first-ever vinyl. This is awesome, it’s something that we worked hard for, to get a vinyl record. It’s sweet. This is like the beginning of High. It took a while, but we’re here now and ready to go for the moon.”

Palomino Blood to open.

SUNDAY MARCH 9

Helmet, Mar 9, Bottleneck-Lawrence, Sold Out

Helmet are back and out on their 2025 North American tour celebrating the 30th anniversary of their seminal album Betty, which they are playing in its entirety. The outing features support from Slomosa and War on Women.

Last August, the band had canceled its previously announced fall 2024 U.S. tour with Local H due to “a mix of significant financial concerns and lower-than-expected ticket sales”, but they’ve returned. Their latest studio album, “Left”, was released in November 2023 via earMUSIC.

The band, which features frontman Page Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case — still play with a style that is taut, muscular, and direct. Hamilton has successfully guided the band through three decades, and we saw them at this same venue that long ago, though maybe not on the original Betty Tour. We’re sure they’ve only gotten better.

Buckethead, Mar 9, Granada- Lawrence, $35

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! The super-prolific guitarist known for his technique and innovative style, and chicken bucket on his head, emblazoned with an orange bumper sticker that reads “FUNERAL” in capital block letters, and an expressionless plain white costume mask, is coming back to LFK!

The anonymous axe slinging virtuoso has been involved and collaborated with many musical projects over the years – most notably being Guns N’ Roses and Les Claypool of Primus. Prepare yourself for an evening filled with mind-blowing guitar shredding, a unique performance, and an aura of mystery and excitement.

He has released over 300 studio recordings, more than anyone else in the history of music. His music spans such diverse areas as progressive metal, funk, blues, jazz, bluegrass, and avant-garde music.

He also incorporates nun chucks, robot dancing, and toy trading into his stage performances. Buckethead’s persona represents a character that was “raised by chickens” and has made it his “mission in life to alert the world to the ongoing chicken holocaust in fast-food joints around the globe.”

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