Almost time to put away those summer playlists–

As quickly as it arrived, summer’s end looks near, especially evidenced by back-to-school supplies (and even some Halloween décor!) everywhere in stores.

We mentioned Hulu previously and were happy to hear they’ll also be streaming the iHeart Radio Festival on September 19/20 as well as both weekends of the Austin City Limits Festival Oct 3-5 and 10-12.

September and October looks super-busy for shows coming to town already, but it’s nice to know you can also dial up some live music from the comfort of your recliner.

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for the upcoming week of August 11th-18^th.

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

MONDAY AUGUST 11

TUESDAY AUGUST 12

LIVE, Collective Soul, Our Lady Peace (rescheduled), Aug 12, Starlight, $40.50-$153.75

(all previous July 16 tickets are honored) Take Two! The Atlanta, GA band celebrated their 30th Anniversary in 2024 with the release of their anticipated and acclaimed 12th studio album, Here to Eternity, released last May on their Fuzze-Flex Records label. Special guest appearances included Paul McCartney guitarist Brian Ray, longtime Sheryl Crow bandleader Peter Stroud, and Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship. The band is best-known for their classic hits like “Shine,” “December,” “The World I Know,” “Heavy,” and “Where The River Flows.” and have sold over 15 million albums worldwide.

Additionally, a feature-length documentary, Give Me A Word: The Collective Soul Story, was just released via Trinity Content Partners and tells the band’s untold history: the family component to the band (brother Ed and Dean Roland), the creativity, and the wisdom that has been hard won over their career.

Lightning still crashes for a reunited Live and Our Lady Peace remains one of Canada’s best-known bands of the last thirty years, so this should be a fun and full evening If the rain stays away!). OLP did manage to get their set in before the thunderstorm canceled the rest of the original night, and we were there for that part.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13

Big Time Rush, Aug 13, Starlight,$52.45-$229.20

The former Nickolodeon TV band members Carlos PenaVega, Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow and Logan Henderson are on their “In Real Life Worldwide” Tour from now through December!

The tour will feature performances of every song from every episode of their show and Katelyn Tarver (Jo) and Stephen Kramer Glickman (Gustavo) from the show will also join the tour as supporting acts. Sing along to songs like “Boyfriend”, “Worldwide””, and Til I Forget About You”

THURSDAY AUGUST 14

Hardy w Koe Wetzel, Aug 14, T-Mobile Center, $45-$249

Hardy is embarking on a 23-date 2025 “Jim Bob World Tour” with Koe Wetzel as a special guest and featuring support from Stephen Wilson Jr. and Sikarus.. The tour kicked off in May and concludes on September 24 at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Recently, Hardy released a live album of his show from Red Rocks from his 2024 “QUIT!!” tour. He was also featured on Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion album with the song “Hide My Gun.”

Texan singer-songwriter Koe Wetzel has built his reputation on songs that mix country, rock, hip-hop, and even Nineties grunge. Fifth studio album, 9 Lives, released in 2024 via Columbia Records, featured lead single “High Road” (feat. Jessie Murph) which held the No. 1 spot for five weeks and became his fastest song to reach the RIAA Platinum milestone to date.

He toured stadiums last year with Morgan Wallen and recent August 4 benefit concert raised $775K in support of the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund via his own foundation, Koe’s Kids.

Wilco, Aug 14, the Midland, $51-$101 (low tix)

The always busy and prolific Wilco is back on the road for 2025, and their always changing setlist should still include songs from two recent catalog reissues- an expanded three LP version of 2010’s The Whole Love (released in April via dBpm) and a deluxe nine LP/four CD box set of 2004’s A Ghost Is Born (released in February via Nonesuch). Look also for the band to include material from their 2023 full-length studio album Cousin and 2024’s Hot Sun Cool Shroud EP.

We caught them live in December as part of a three-night stand in St. Paul, MN, with each night being completely different songs and this outing is “An Evening with…” as well, with no opening act.

If all that’s not enough to scratch your itch, singer Jeff Tweedy is back in November, for a solo band date in November. We’re glad Tweedy and the band remember their Uncle Tupelo-era markets that supported them early-on, and keep returning to the area.

FRIDAY AUGUST 15

The Church, Aug 15, Knuckleheads (postponed to July 10 2026)

SATURDAY AUGUST 16

Hembree w Lauren Lovelle, Aug 16, Liberty Hall- Lawrence, $19.50

Local faves Hembree are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a show in Lawrence also featuring Cowboy Indian Bear and Lauren Lovelle & the Midnight Spliffs. The Indie rock band got its start in KC and will always call the town home — even after moving to Los Angeles (boo!) and releasing their latest album “Better Days.”

Arrive early for KC-based, Harvey County, KS native and rising country star Lauren Lovelle who is set to release her debut EP Other Dreams on September 9 featuring latest single, “Won’t Tell You Goodbye” In June, she was named Heartland Songwriter of the Month with the Heartland Song Network.

Kidz Bop, Aug 16, Starlight, $40.50-$109.50(+some 4pk deals)

The Kidz Bop Kids are bringing their all-new Live 2025: Certified BOP Tour to town- This high-energy concert is the ultimate live music experience for kids (and their grown-ups!) featuring family-friendly versions of today’s biggest pop hits, including “espresso,” “HOT TO GO,” and “Dance Monkey.” Its billed as a fun-filled, interactive concert event with eye-popping visuals, engaging stage design, and the fan-favorite Daddy Dance Off.

SUNDAY AUGUST 17

We Came as Romans, After the Burial, Currents Aug 17, $49-$82

Aug 14 update: MOVED TO GRANADA moved to The Granada Theater in Lawrence, KS. All tickets purchased for the Uptown Theater will be honored. Refunds can be requested at point of sale until Saturday August 16th at 5pm.

The Michigan-born five-piece metalcore band—Dave Stephens, Joshua Moore, Lou Cotton, Andy Glass, and David Puckett has a couple new singles for the year, “Bad Luck” and the new “Where Did You Go?” written for their forthcoming album’ ALL IS BEAUTIFUL…BECAUSE WE’RE DOOMED’ (due out August 22nd via Sharptone Records).

The new album is said to mark a sonic departure for the band, embracing a darker, moodier atmosphere while exploring themes of identity, disconnection, and the ghosts of who we once were.

Frontman Dave Stephens explains the new single, “Where Did You Go? was one of the final songs we wrote for the album, and it came together in a way that just felt special. From the first few notes, we knew it had a completely different energy— way moodier than anything we’d done so far on the record. Where Did You Go? is about the haunting feeling of being left without answers. It’s about losing a part of yourself”.

MONDAY AUGUST 18

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