February 22-28, 2026, Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO /Lawrence, KS metro)

So bad it’s good, and a $9 show!

Last time we mentioned a couple $10 chances, and now, KC has rising Country star Megan Moroney coming to The Midland, for a short promo $9 appearance to celebrate the upcoming new album. Expect a rush at the box office the day-of.

As for the “Bad”, two of our recommended shows for the week are the cinematic head banging Bad Omens show at T-Mobile Center (don’t miss opener President) and the pride of Minneapolis, Bad Bad Hats at the recordBar, who could use some support after all that city has been through (and they’re fun live too!)

Let’s take look at the Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings for this week from February 22nd to 28th.

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

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22

Rent (musical) through Feb 22, White Theater at The J, $20-$39

Last Day! KC Melting Pot and The Mark Edelman Theater Fund help present this modern classic detailing those 525,600 minutes in the year in the life of a group of struggling NYC East Village young artists and musicians.

“Rent” is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, “Rent” has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson‘s “Rent” follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble.

Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. Directed by Zane Champie with Music Direction from Barbara Jurgensmeier.

Hamilton (Broadway Touring), through Mar 1, Music Hall,$157-$551 (w/$10 lottery)

One more time to take your shot!

PNC Broadway in Kansas City continues with its most popular and longest-running show of the season! We all know Hamilton by now- the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a unique score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton is told like never before, and has created a lasting cultural moment in the process.

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, Hamilton has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, among numerous accolades.

We took in the touring production the last time it was in town (Hamilton (musical) at The Music Hall, Kansas City MO thru April 2, 2023 (review) – WeHeartMusic) and we can confirm it’s still as entertaining and poignant, as when it began eleven years ago. The Disney+ special is great, but you haven’t seen Hamilton until you’ve seen it live on-stage!

If the odds are with you, sign up for a chance at $10 tickets to one of the performances during the extended run here: Ham4Ham Lottery – North American Tour – Hamilton Official Site

MONDAY FEBRUARY 23

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25

Bad Bad Hats, Feb 25, recordBar,$23.23

Bad Bad Hats is an indie rock band from our Minneapolis home base- Kerry Alexander and Chris Hoge, who met in college and formed the band in 2012 and played locally there ever since.

BBH has toured with The Beths, Margaret Glaspy, The Front Bottoms, Hippo Campus, and Michelle Branch, among many others. Their fourth and self-titled album was released in 2024 on Don Giovanni Records and they’re currently out on a 2026 tour to celebrate the 10th anniversary of their debut album, Psychic Reader, performing it in its entirety for the first time as a full band.

Megan Moroney, Feb 25, The Midland, $9

Megan Moroney announces “9 Cities. 9 Days.,” a fan-focused celebration of her new album “Cloud 9” with Moroney stopping in nine cities across the country and performing a handful of songs at select stops. Kicking off in NYC on Cloud 9’s release date (Feb. 20), “9 Cities. 9 Days.” will wrap up on Feb. 28 in Scottsdale, AZ

“When I thought about the release of Cloud 9, I knew I wanted to spend it with my fans,” said Moroney. “They’re the reason I get to do this, and I’m so excited to celebrate this album with them.”

With the exception of her Scottsdale stop, all “9 Cities. 9 Days.” events will be ticketed at a cost of $9. Tickets will be available at the venue box office beginning at 9 a.m. on the morning of the event, with a limit of two tickets per person. Expect her to talk about the new record and a short acoustic performance of three songs.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go towards The Megan Moroney Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to address bullying and raise awareness for mental health by promoting kindness. Signed albums, clothing and accessories for the record are available at her site.

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26

Bad Omens w/Beartooth, President, Feb 26, T-Mobile Center,$51-$222

This three-act experience is a top-to-bottom metal banger!

Platinum-certified Virginia melodic metalcore band Bad Omens are taking North America by storm with their Do You Feel Love Tour this Spring with support from Beartooth and PRESIDENT, bringing the band’s cinematic, high-energy performance which includes a local stop at T-Mobile Center.

The tour follows the release of the band’s recent singles, “Specter” (#1 Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay / #15 Billboard Alternative Airplay charts), “Impose,” and “Dying To Love”, though the bit of bad news is that to not expect a full album coming this year.

Columbus, OH rockers Beartooth recently dropped a new single with RATM’s Tom Morello, “Everything Burns,” and look for a follow up new song “Free” at the end of the upcoming week, via their new label, Fearless Records. This all sets the stage for a full-length successor to 2023’s album The Surface. The band can already claim over 1.3 billion streams and a #1 Billboard Hard Rock album with that 2023 record.

Arrive early for a UK band we’ve been championing since their mysterious live debut, last June at Donington- PRESIDENT. Last year’s debut EP, King of Terrors sold out everywhere immediately, and while there are some strong rumors who is under the tailed tuxedo and old man mask, nothing is yet confirmed. Come early enough to see their local inaugural performance, so you can say you were there. Brand new song, “Angel Wings” is just released: PRESIDENT – Angel Wings

The 502s, Feb 26, Granada- Lawrence,$37.98

The 502s, a joyful Orlando, FL six-piece beach-folk band is hitting the road for their Easy Street Tour to celebrate their energetic new album, Easy Street, via new label Big Loud Records featuring lead single, “Summer Fling” and upholds their title of “the happiest band on Earth.”

Breakout song, “Just A Little While” made a viral splash with over 100M streams and the band provided support to Lake Street Dive and has played festivals including Boston Calling, Bourbon & Beyond, Borderland Music Festival, Iron Blossom Festival and more.

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27

Church of Cash, Feb 27, Knuckleheads, $27.75

These guys walk a familiar line and bring forth the spirit of The Man in Black-

Church of Cash is a Minneapolis-based Johnny Cash tribute band, founded in Honolulu in 2010 by frontman Jay Ernest. The band performs a range of Cash’s music, from hits to obscure songs, with Ernest embodying Cash’s vocal and stage presence. The group has toured extensively across the US and parts of Europe, playing over 1,000 shows. Ernest was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2021 and we’ve been familiar with them since their earliest Twin Cities gigs.

From “I Walk the Line” to “Ring of Fire” and beyond, their setlist captures the soul of American music with loyalty to the songs and the message Johnny left for all of us.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28

Matt Von Roderick, Feb 28, Lonnie’s Reno Club,$18.49

Vermont jazz trumpeter Matt Von Roderick comes from a musical family and has the uncanny ability to sing and play at the same time, which helped him to be described as “a post-millennial Chet Baker” by the New York Times.

Latest release is The Perfect Storm, an album comprised largely of original compositions spanning across several years, and described as his boldest, most personal statement to-date.

A graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, he went on to receive his Master’s of Music from NYU, where he was granted the Alberto Vilar Global Fellowship. Additionally, he was the 1st place winner of The Independent Music Awards Jazz Category as judged by no less than Lou Reed and awarded as finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition, among other accolades.

Porgy and Bess, KC Lyric Opera, Feb 28, Mar 6, 8, Kauffman Center, $63.50-$243.50

The classic Gershwin tale is presented for the first time in Lyric Opera history- Porgy and Bess is the quintessential American opera. The source of some of the twentieth century’s most beloved songs—including “Summertime”—this jazzy Gershwin score is unforgettable. The opera paints a picture of life in the Charleston neighborhood Catfish Row, where a poignant “opposites attract” romance unfolds alongside a portrait of a community that unites in the face of tragedy and triumph.

Based on the original production from George Gershwin, DuBose and Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin, with these performances conducted by Michael Ellis Ingram and directed by multi-Olivier Award winner, Francesca Zambello.

Note the three days above for ticket availability and know that there is a mature content advisory for themes and content. In English with English translations projected above the stage.

National / International act coming through the Midwest / Kansas City area? Please email details to johnc@weheartmusic.com with a good lead time to be considered for Show Preview and Show Coverage consideration.