July 16-19, 2026, Upcoming concerts / shows (Kansas City, MO / Lawrence KS)

Farewell, KC World Cup!

With England and Argentina teams jetting off for their final match against each other, and the FIFA Fan Fest wrapping things last weekend, we’re pretty much done with events (see the Sporting Park events bellow though) but it’s been a great experience and put the area on the world map.

From Lawrence’s embrace of team Algeria to the Dutch fan walk, to fan madness at matches at Arrowhead Kansas City Stadium, it’s been a fun few weeks the metro can hopefully build on, to increase culture and plan better infrastructure.

In record collection news, a huge collection from a longtime Rolling Stone reporter goes up on Discogs starting Friday. Locally, the Gladstone Record Fair is set to return next April after a hiatus, and the organizer is planning on new shows in Lawrence and Columbia MO soon.

Let’s look at the upcoming weekend in Kansas City / Lawrence KS metro musical happenings from July 16^th to July 19^th.

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

THURSDAY JULY 16

FRIDAY JULY 17

Jon Batiste, July 17, Starlight,$63.75-$173.75

Jon Batiste’s 2026 “A Fantastical Musical Journey” tour supports his album Big Money. The concerts are cross-genre celebrations blending jazz, gospel, blues, and classical music. Batiste is an eight-time Grammy, Academy, and Emmy Award–winning singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist, renowned for his genre-defying approach to his music and commitment to inclusivity and cultural exploration.

Batiste’s latest studio album is a project rooted in American traditions spanning gospel, soul, blues, folk, and rock & roll. The album earned three nominations at the 2026 Grammy Awards and won Best Americana Album.

In 2023, he released World Music Radio, a globetrotting album inspired by his mission to create community and expand culture through the power of music and the project received five Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year. From 2015 to 2022, Batiste served as bandleader and musical director of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS.

SATURDAY JULY 18

Kaleo with Dawes, July 18, Grinders KC, $47-$94

Way down we go! Last month, Austin TX by way of Iceland band Kaleo released their anticipated A/B (deluxe anniversary edition) double-LP via Rhino Records. As well as commemorating their breakout record which spawned the hits, “All The Pretty Girls,” “No Good,” and “Way Down We Go (the song that has nearly 4 billion streams) the record includes never-before-heard recordings and live performances of original songs.

Emerging from Mosfellsbær, a small town in the suburbs of Reykjavik, the band formed as childhood friends in 2012. Made up of JJ Julius Son (vocals/guitar), David Antonsson (drums), Daniel Kristjansson (bass) and Rubin Pollock (guitar), the group has gone on to amass over 6+ billion global streams, 70+ international gold, platinum, and diamond certifications.

Arrive early for one of our favorites, Dawes. We caught them last year in NKC and the Goldsmith brothers have emerged from the California fires to stay prolific and active, with a new super-group including members of Goose and Dead and Company, also being teased. The band released a live album early in the year, with more new music coming soon. All ages show.

The Head and the Heart w Houndmouth, July 18, KC Live! Power and Light,$44.85+

Seattle’s The Head and The Heart are playing their self-titled debut album in full on a 15th anniversary tour, which includes this P&L stop on the eve of the World Cup final. We’ve seen the band regularly since that great debut, including last year in KC, in support of album, Aperture.

“It’s wild that we will be celebrating 15 years of our first record this spring — we are so lucky to have had the stars align meeting one another and creating art in those early days,” said band member Charity Rose Thielen in a statement. “We are looking forward to reflecting and celebrating the moments of coming together for the first time in real time with all of you! It’s going to be a show unlike anything we’ve ever done.”

Arrive early for Houndmouth, the alt-blues and rock band from New Albany, IN, formed in 2011, consisting of Matt Myers (guitar, vocals), Caleb Hickman (keyboard, vocals) and Zac Anderson (bass, vocals) (remember their 2015 single, “Sedona”?) and who have a brand-new album just out, called Lordy.

Third Eye Blind, July 18, Sporting KC Park, Free

Continuing on their Summer Gods Tour, since 1997, San Francisco’s Third Eye Blind are still living their semi-charmed life, recording ten best-selling studio recordings, two live releases and one career retrospective selling 12 million records worldwide. Led by Stephan Jenkins, 3EB won wide success during the late ‘90s, and have continued with regular touring, since the band re-formed several years ago.

Newest song was last year’s “Like a Lullaby” with more songs or maybe a full-length, promised soon. The fact that so many still remember those millennium-era hits, tell you ‘How it’s gonna be’ in terms of a fun (and free!) show. Can it be we last saw them live in 2018?– we’re overdue. Get your RSVP entry code here.

SUNDAY JULY 19

Story of the Year, July 19, Harrahs Voodoo Lounge- NKC, $50-$163

The Camp Screamo Tour is a massive co-headlining 2026 summer outing featuring post-hardcore juggernauts Story of the Year and Silverstein. Supported by Origami Angel, the tour runs from July 12 through August 7, including this NKC stop, and marks the first time the two bands have ever hit the road together on a joint U.S. run.

The tour is largely a celebration of modern emo and post-hardcore, coming on the heels of Story of the Year‘s recent album, A.R.S.O.N., and high-energy singles like “Gasoline”. For Silverstein, the setlist features classic hits as well as material from their modern era. 21+ show.

Coco and Breezy (DJs) July 19, Sporting KC Park, Free

Cap off a very successful World Cup season in KC, with this DJ set following the WC Final match.

Coco & Breezy are a duo of twin DJs, music producers, and visionary entrepreneurs (raised in Apple Valley MN!). Founded by sisters Corianna and Brianna Dotson, their brand spans a highly successful eyewear company and a recognized music career celebrated for blending house music with Afro-Latino and R&B influences. Released songs last year included “Blessed Generation” with Kinder and “Dreams” with Hadiya George. Get your RSVP entry code here.

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.