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Review: New Edition

Photos by Jill Toyoshiba/The Star

When the opener, Whodini, hit the stage Friday night, the Sprint Center looked ominously barren. Fewer than 1,000 fans were in place, scattered throughout the floor and lower level. By the time the headliner, New Edition, finished its set three hours later, with a crackling rendition of the Bell Biv DeVoe tune “Poison,” the place was jumping, and about 4,000 fans were under the spell of sweet nostalgia.

Review: Danzig

Danzig did not permit photogrophers into Thursday's show so we raided his Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Danzig/Facebook

Glenn Danzig leaves audience all shook up.

The man known as the "Evil Elvis" took care of business Thursday at the Uptown Theater. Glenn Danzig, a vastly influential icon of punk and metal, demonstrated his affinity for the King of Rock and Roll in a brief but bracing outing.

Say hello to your June music calendar

The Flaming Lips perform in Lawrence June 21-22, part of the Liberty Hall centennial celebration. The first show is sold-out.File photo.

It's big a fat and full of many flavors, including plenty of good local shows. Thanks to Concert Chris and other FB friends for the contributions. Please let us know what we've overlooked. 

Cali man renovates Walmart country music selection

He faces misdemeanor charges of mischief and merchandise tampering, but you've got to give it up for Reginald Spears, who was so disgusted with the country music CDs that were, and weren't, on the shelves of his local Walmart that he did something about it. Like dump them into some trash bins in another aisle and repace them with his own worn-out copies of Jerry Reed, Tanya Tucker and Flatt & Scruggs. Or as a Walmart employee called them, "Flatt & Smugs." Read about it here. Money quote below.

On the way: Gotye

The artist known as Gotya (GO-tee-ay) will headline Buzz Under the Stars 2, Sept. 14, a Friday, at Berkley Riverfront Park. Also on the bill: Chairlift and  Zammuto.Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 8. 

Chevy music series gets in gear this week

Kevin Medina, Zach Brotherton, Derek White and  RL Brooks of Maps for Travelers

If you watch late-night television over the next several weeks, chances are good the sounds of local bands will come into your den, bedroom or wherever you watch the tube.

Tonight (May 30), the Kansas City area Chevy dealers launch the local version of the Chevy Music Showcase, a series of 2-minute documentaries on local bands that also serve as sponsorship commercials for Chevy. The first documentary, featuring the band Maps for Travelers, is scheduled to air twice tonight; it will be rebroadcast tonight and Friday. (See schedule below.)

On the way: Kansas

Phil Ehart, Steve Walsh and the rest of the crew will carry on at the Uptown Theater on Oct. 6, a Saturday. Kings X and That 1 Guy will open. So says Pollstar.

Your new-music alert

She doesn’t have the cult following of Tori Amos or the eccentric reputation of Fiona Apple, but Regina Spektor is every bit the accomplished songwriter, musician and entertainer.

Your ticket-sale alert

This weekend's shows included Moe, Tedeschi Trucks Band and Justin Bieber.

On sale Friday

• Halestorm with New Medicine and Emphatic, July 12, Midland. $9.89
• Moe, July 25, Crossroads KC. $21.50-$61.50

Farewell, Doc Watson

The rain keeps falling. In terms of death in the world of music, it has been a heavy, blue year. It just got heavier and bluer. Doc Watson died Tuesday, in a hospital in North Carolina. He'd lived a long life: He was 89. I saw him once, many years ago, with his longtime partner Jack Lawrence. It was memorable. Doc was funny, humble, charming and dazzling on the guitar. He deserves more widespread recognition and renown for his influence on traditional American music. Rest in peace, Arthel "Doc" Watson.