Moon Walker at The Bottleneck, Lawrence KS (2026-04-09)

It’s the soundtrack for these dark days we don’t necessarily want to hear, but is one that is needed to be heard.

Indie-alternative rock band Moon Walker (who unapologetically blends old-soul, post-punk, funk and garage rock with socially confrontational lyrics) made a stop in downtown Lawrence at The Bottleneck, currently on their Wasteland Country Tour, in support of the upcoming album of the same name, (self-released, due out May 1)

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Atlanta theatrical alt-rock cabaret band Sarah and The Safe Word got the evening started, in support of their fourth and most recent album, 2023’s The Book of Broken Glass, though they are finishing a new full-length and have released a handful of more recent singles, including “Invert the Jenny” which was worked in, early into their opening set.

The band proudly serve as LGBTQ+ advocates and asked the crowd if they should play another homosexual song, saying it was a consensus. Then, lead singer appeared to get a call on the phone that was on stage, claiming it was former President (and long dead) William McKinley but soon changed it to Ronald Reagan being on the line (also R.I.P.), which raised some boos from the audience, due to his policies.

Gay werewolves appeared to be a live theme (and because “there are too many songs” referencing gay vampires) and beyond the kitsch, they spoke to empower that those in the crowd live their own life and be who they really are. The set ended with dark parlor version of a Charlie Daniels cover, after wrongly ‘guessing’ that Lawrence was known for other music-related connections.

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Another eclectic act was next, Austin TX (via El Paso) artist Demi the Daredevil, in support of their recent Vanishing Point EP and current single, “The Reunion.” The dark art-pop sound takes from other genres and reinvents them under a theatrical and Baroque gaze and he appeared in a mask for the first few songs.

Lyrical themes included vampires, a tortured and abusive childhood and growing up Catholic, but an indie medley of hit covers (incl. “Radioactive” and “Boulevard of Broken Dreams”) joined by SatSW keyboardist Beth Ballinger, proved it wasn’t all going to be all dark and sulky.

By the end of the set, he shed his jacket and encouraged the crowd to heckle him, standing on a speaker for one of the last songs…ladies and gentlemen- theater!

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Then, it was time for the main attraction- Brooklyn-based, Colorado-raised Moon Walker (aka Harry Springer) who confessed it was his first time in Kansas.  He and each of the band members sported dizzy-eyed smiley-face armbands and patches, with the same motif on a pair of onstage flags, invoking similarities to the hammer armbands Roger Waters’ character wore while performing “the Wall.”

The stylized logo can also be seen on the cover of the new record, out May 1, and even translated down to a young fan up front, mimicking the look, complete with face paint.

The mood turned expectant as a droning sound morphed into the upcoming album’s opening track “DISAPPEARING ACT” one of more than a half-dozen of the new songs played live, and stylized all in caps, perhaps to single out their importance, perhaps to keep the cohesion of the new record, more together.

Sipping honey-laced (tea, we assume) between songs, Springer let he and his band do most of the talking, as instrumental passages bobbed and weaved inside the confines of the songs (and yes, there was even time to work in a drum solo).

An early set cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” showed the song’s continued relevance five decades later, after first being inspired by the Vietnam War (or ‘conflict’ or ‘police action’, or whatever name they use to avoid further doubting).

And after a couple more new songs, another cover- Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” with Cobain’s classic dour lyrics including, “I got a new complaint, forever in debt to your priceless advice.”

Although many of the songs were composed in Springer’s bedroom, the live experience translated to a very dense and layered sound, coupled with the lyrical social commentary and flashes of raw guitar rock, against softer acoustic-based songs.

The punchier early tracks such as “The List” and “New God” landed with strong riffs and easily chantable choral hooks, and were offset by the Wasteland Country tracks, that seemed more framed by a darker, more cinematic tone.

New acoustic track, “YOU’RE NEXT” is obviously important and a latch key piece to the record, enough so that it’s an advance single, and Springer leaned into his role as a commentator to introduce the song. The lyrics are exceptionally biting and the audience reception that followed, reinforced the significance of the track.

The final stretch which included “The TV Made Me Do It” and “Ban This Song,” riled the crowd for a final time, only to be pulled inward for the more intimate “I’m Afraid I’ll Go to Heaven,” showing all different angles (and volumes) of reflection and the contrast helps shake the jar, to ensure you’re paying each track, the proper attention.

The prolific Moon Walker has shared five albums over the last five years, and the newest, Wasteland Country (due May 1) both expands and darkens the sound to better reflect the times and the themes of capitalism, control, and cultural decay that seems to be running deep everywhere.

The band continues on the road, heading home for two Colorado stops in late June, and though we hope for brighter days ahead, we’ve already got the soundtrack if it doesn’t, in the form of Wasteland Country.

DEMI THE DAREDEVIL

ALL REPORTING AND PHOTOS BY BRANDON CLASEN

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.