Falling forward: There's a glut of music choices

Los Lobos is just one of many options on a very busy Sept. 9.

When it comes to live music, excess of choice can be a virtue. But it can be a curse when two or three good shows have been booked on the same day. That has been happening more frequently around here; this fall is no exception.

Now is the time to start organizing your calendar and making priorities. Some nights the choices aren’t so painless; others might be excruciating.

Either way, in the end, it’s better to have too many choices than too few.

Sept. 4

•Gillian Welch at Liberty Hall in Lawrence: She and David Rawlings are touring on their latest album, “The Harrow and the Harvest.” This will be their first performance around here since August 2007, also at Liberty Hall.

•Day 3 of the Kansas City Irish Festival: It’s the final day, which means the Elders will close the main stage, explosively, followed by the Mighty Craic, or the multiband jam.

•Maroon 5 and Train at Starlight Theatre: A dream lineup for those who like their adult rock and soulful pop creamy and homogenized.

Sept. 9

•Bon Iver with Kathleen Edwards at the Uptown Theater: Bon Iver is a neo/indie folk band founded five years ago by Justin Vernon. It just released “Bon Iver,” its second studio album and a collection of mostly serene ballads. For fans of this genre, this is one of the big shows of the season. Edwards is a gifted songwriter (folk and roots) and a good live performer.

•Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance at Sandstone Amphitheater: Blink is back with a new album; MCR never went away. Their music styles don’t really converge, but their fan bases do overlap.

•Keller Williams at Crosstown Station: He will play guitar and there will be lots of spinning and dancing.

•Los Lobos at Knuckleheads: This could be the show of the season. The last couple of times in town they played at the Folly. This time they’re in the East Bottoms, at our favorite honky-tonk. And our own Making Movies opens.

•Tim Kasher at Jackpot in Lawrence: The front man for Cursive is on a solo tour. A bonus: the Fourth of July, a nifty indie-pop band from Lawrence, opens.

Sept. 16

•Foo Fighters at the Sprint Center: They tore up Kemper Arena the last time they were in town (July 2008). This time, they’ll unleash their havoc in the newer arena. Set lists this summer have been running 24 to 29 songs. The Chicago punk band Rise Against opens.

•Human League and Men Without Hats at Midland: A pairing of bands who got famous in the early ’80s with the advent of MTV, thanks to songs/videos like “Don’t You Want Me,” “Mirror Man,” “Human” and the daffy “Safety Dance.”

•Randy Travis at VooDoo Lounge: His heyday was in the 1980s, too, when he released four consecutive No. 1 country albums and won a bounty of country awards and two Grammys. He hasn’t had a big hit in almost 12 years. On the other hand, his albums still chart well and he’s still pure country.

•Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit at Knuckleheads: The former member of the Drive-By Truckers has cultivated a nice solo career over the past four years. A native of Alabama, he produces a mix of country, blues and soul that is decidedly Southern.

Oct. 7

•Minus the Bear and Velvet Teen at Granada: Two bands attacking pop music from different perspectives: experimental and hard, shiny and indie.

•St. Vincent at Liberty Hall: St. Vincent is Annie Clark, former member of the Polyphonic Spree and the touring band for Sufjan Stevens. On Sept. 13, she will release “Strange Mercy,” the third St. Vincent album in four years.

Stereogum quotes a news release description of the album that says it redefines “the idea of the guitar hero, utilizing the instrument as a pointillist artist might wield a brush. Countless judiciously placed riffs and instrumental flares, each distinct and unique, cohere into grand tableaus.”

Oct. 12

•Chris Brown and T-Pain at the Sprint Center: Brown is trying to rebuild his rep and diminish his infamy nearly two years after his domestic assault incident with Rihanna and a more recent incident in March on “Good Morning, America.” That was about the time he released “F.A.M.E.,” his fourth studio album. It has since gone gold.

•Neon Indian at RecordBar: Synth-pop, chillwave, groovy electronic dance music.

•Explosions in the Sky and Wye Oak at Uptown Theater: Explosions in the Sky is a four-piece experimental/instrumental band from Texas that got some mainstream currency when its music was featured in the film and TV show “Friday Night Lights.” Wye Oak is an indie-folk/pop duo from Baltimore.

Oct. 14

•Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis at Knuckleheads: They are spouses and among the better songwriters in Nashville. Robison has written some songs made famous by others, most notably “Travelin’ Soldier,” a hit for the Dixie Chicks, and “Wrapped,” a hit for George Strait. Together, they aren’t quite George Jones and Tammy Wynette, but they’re close.

•Roger Daltrey does “Tommy” at the Midland: He has been through town a few times recently. First he opened for Eric Clapton at the Sprint Center in March 2010 and then headlined a lightly attended solo show at the Uptown Theater in June 2010. He’s back to perform the Who’s most famous rock opera.

Nov. 12

•The Blind Boys of Alabama with Sara Watkins and Sean Watkins at the Midland: The headliners are one of the most renowned and decorated gospel-music groups in music history, now more than 70 years old. The Watkinses are siblings best known as two of the three members of the neo-bluegrass band Nickel Creek.

•The Jayhawks at the Beaumont Club: One of the early members of the 1990s alt-country/No Depression movement, the Jayhawks are set to release “Mockingbird Time.” The reunited lineup includes original members Gary Louris, Mark Olson and Marc Perlman plus Karen Grotberg and Tim O’Reagan. 

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MORE PICKS 

Sept. 21: Steve Earle at Uptown Theater

Oct. 6: Frank Turner at RecordBar

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Pellboy]

The conflicts seem to be more about quality than genre as only in a few instances (at least to me) are there crossover appeal issues. Mostly still a no-brainer for me for the shows I'm planning on out of that group...Los Lobos...Isbell over Foos (this one was a bit tougher as I planned on the FFs, but never pulled the trigger on tix)...Daltrey...Jayhawks.

[bettyblowtorch]

Wild Flag at the Record Bar Oct. 5.

[joe]

I recently saw the Jayhawks in Milwaukee over the 4th of July. They were great. Played nearly everything off of Hollywood Town Hall and Tomorrow the Green Grass. I'm seeing Daltrey perform Tommy but really bummed Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are the same night. Perhaps it will be a later show at Knuckleheads and I can swing both. Does anyone know how long Daltrey is playing? I assume he is doing some other Who tunes after he finishes the Tommy set.

[Glorp]

Chris Isaak Nov. 18 at the Uptown.

[Pellboy]

Yes, Joe, from what I understand, supposed to be some other Who tunes following the Tommy set.

[onthemark]

Pellboy, I share your dilemma! I also note we have made the same choices: Los Lobos, Jason Isbell, Daltrey.

Although I am not familiar with Bon Iver at all, I was considering that show just to see the opener Kathleen Edwards. Especially if I knew for sure she would sing her song 'Back To Me' which I think is a great tune!

I also have a ticket for Steve Earle and The Dukes, which currently is not in conflict with any other show.

[AMD]

Robbie Fulks is also on the bill with Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison. My plan is to enjoy those three and then run out the door as soon as Daryle Singletary gets on stage. How on earth is DS the headliner when RF, KW and BR are all also on the same bill? That's just not right.

[Pellboy]

In a related note, I just noticed that after what seems like 20 years of crap that I've had no interest in, Santa-Cali-Gon Days are actually bringing in a worthy act for once...Marty Stuart & the Fabulous Superlatives are playing Friday night @ 9pm and it's FREE. They played Paola Roots last year and put on a really good show. He and band are almost more roots/Americana than straight country hitting on every genre from rockabilly to gospel. Good opportunity to catch a high quality band perhaps with the family (my plan) for no cost. Insert Independence jokes here. :)

[Steve J]

You brought it up. I got an e-mail from Chesapeake Energy Arena (OKC) for Chris Brown on October 12. But when the tour list came out, it said KC on the 12th. So I have no idea what's date he will be in KC.

[onthemark]

I will say this for Santa Cali Gon, it presents an opportunity for people watching unlike any other festival!

And having been born and raised in Independence I will refrain from making any jokes about it...

[Pellboy]

Oh the humanity. Unfortunately (in most cases anyway), the halter top is still alive and well in Independence.

[Green]

BON IVER
w/Kathleen Edwards

SOLD OUT

[Steve]

I'm gonna catch the Foos and Daltrey. I'm thinking about going to see Tedeschi/Trucks Band on Thursday.

[Steve]

If Daltry plays this show which he played in Dublin in July it should be an incredible show.

1.I Can See for Miles Play Video
(The Who song)
2.Pictures Of Lily Play Video
(The Who song)
3.Tattoo Play Video
(The Who song)
4.Gimme A Stone Play Video
(Levon Helm cover)
5.Freedom Ride Play Video
(Taj Mahal cover)
Tommy
6.Overture Play Video
(The Who song)
7.It's a Boy Play Video
(The Who song)
8.1921 Play Video
(The Who song)
9.Amazing Journey Play Video
(The Who song)
10.Sparks Play Video
(The Who song)
11.Eyesight to the Blind Play Video
(The Who song)
12.Christmas Play Video
(The Who song)
13.Cousin Kevin Play Video
(The Who song)
14.The Acid Queen Play Video
(The Who song)
15.Do You Think It's Alright? Play Video
(The Who song)
16.Fiddle About Play Video
(The Who song)
17.Pinball Wizard Play Video
(The Who song)
18.There's a Doctor Play Video
(The Who song)
19.Go to the Mirror Play Video
(The Who song)
20.Tommy, Can You Hear Me? Play Video
(The Who song)
21.Smash the Mirror Play Video
(The Who song)
22.Sensation Play Video
(The Who song)
23.I'm Free Play Video
(The Who song)
24.Miracle Cure Play Video
(The Who song)
25.Sally Simpson Play Video
(The Who song)
26.Welcome Play Video
(The Who song)
27.Tommy's Holiday Camp Play Video
(The Who song)
28.We're Not Gonna Take It Play Video
(The Who song)
Part 3
29.Who Are You Play Video
(The Who song)
30.Behind Blue Eyes Play Video
(The Who song)
31.Going Mobile Play Video
(The Who song)
32.Johnny Cash Medley Play Video
(Johnny Cash cover) (featuring Folsom Prison and Ring Of Fire)
33.I'm a Man Play Video
(Bo Diddley cover)
34.My Generation Play Video
(The Who song)
35.Young Man Blues Play Video
(Mose Allison cover)
36.Baba O'Riley Play Video
(The Who song)
37.Without Your Love Play Video
Encore
38.The Kids Are Alright Play Video
(The Who song)
39.Red Blue And Gray Play Video
(The Who song)

[Pellboy]

Wow, that setlist is unbelievable. I hope that's how it goes down. And Red Blue and Gray...fuck me, that's awesome!

[Pellboy]

Apologies to BTR for the profanity, just got excited.

[Maniak Productions]

I saw Los Lobos at the Folly last October. Awesome show! Knux will be a great place to see them.

I predict a lot of dancing....

[Geordan]

Jayhawks...definitely. That's gonna sell out. Hell, they could probably sell out The Midland (hint, hint). I bought Foo Fighter tickets and am looking forward to it, but Jason Isbell will be at Knuckleheads, and another sleeper show will be The Human League show at the Uptown, ALL on the same night. I used to like a couple of their albums, as well. Thanks to AMB for mentioning that Robbie Fulks will be part of the Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis show at Knuckleheads. Also looking forward to that. Autumn is always my favorite season and it's great to see it filling up with so many great shows!

[Hamster]

Saturday, September 17 is the annual Cross Roads Music Festival in Kansas City. If you haven't attended any of the previous sessions, you gotta catch this...

[Steve J]

FYI Miranda Lambert in Topeka Oct. 6

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[Rhonda]

Crossroads Music Fest is actually September 10.

There is also a Musician's Legal Bootcamp this year hosted by the KCVLAA.

www.cmfkc.com

[Green]

Whats the story with Wild Flag, this band has come up a couple times now. Are they any good?

[Matt]

Wild Flag is the new band comprised of two of the three members of Sleater-Kinney. Their debut album isn't out yet but it's streaming on NPR: http://www.npr.org/series/98679384/first-listen

[Steve]

I'm with ya Pellboy, this should be a great show even without Pete.

[bettyblowtorch]

Green, Wild Flag is fun, well done and great live.

[Musicgal]

So many shows! I have a ticket to Los Lobos at Knuckleheads but have decided to see them Saturday at the Roots 'n Blues fest in Columbia. A great lineup that weekend.

[Pellboy]

Considering Roots & Blues myself. Great festival that I've hit a couple of times although back in the days when it was free. Still for same price as Knux show, you get Robert Cray, Fitz & Tantrums, Flatlanders, Sam Bush, Dale Watson and Taj Mahal along with Los Lobos. And Lobos is scheduled for 90 minutes so it's not like you'll get shortchanged on their set.

[Musicgal]

I'm so looking forward to Taj, it's been awhile. I've also been listening to David Wax Museum and Fitz & the Tantrums. Fitz is playing the same time as Taj, so I will have to split my time a little.

[Pellboy]

Yeah MG, that is often the dilemma at that festival, but it all takes place in a fairly tight radius so it's fairly easy to move around and get at least taste of conflicting acts. Enjoy and if I can't make it, hoping you can slip in a brief review in a BTR thread somewhere.

[Phyllis]

I saw Roger Daltrey at the Uptown last summer and when he opened for Eric Clapton. He & his band were fantastic at both shows. If you love The Who, don't miss the Midland show. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Geordan]

Next weekend at Knuckleheads looks to be pretty spectacular. Eilen Jewell was really good the last time she played there, and is back next Thursday with a strong new album. Of course, Los Lobos next Friday is going to be big. I am unsure if I can be there for that show, but have seen them before and they never fail to deliver.

But next Saturday, the Blues triple-bill with Walter Trout, the lovely and talented Ana Popovic, and Anthony Gomes, is going to rival the Ronnie Baker Brooks/Girls With Guitars/Sena Ehrhardt (Sena is back at Knuckleheads THIS Friday) show from June as one of the finest Blues gig of the year in KC....Buddy Guy's October show notwithstanding.

Can't wait for these and several others on the horizon. Just get out and support live music this fall (and beyond). Whether you're into Post- apocalyptic Death Metal, Gregorian chant, Whaling songs, Megaphone crooning, or Hillbilly Hip-Hop (Not a genre, but SHOULD be), go see a live show. Feed your soul. The therapeutic impact is priceless.

[Pellboy]

Agreed, Geordan...the Trout/Popovic/Gomes show should be outstanding. He flies a little under the mainstream radar, but because of his playing AND songwriting, to me Walter Trout is far and away the best of the breed of white slingers more famously led by the likes of Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonnamossa, Jonny Lang, Poppa Chubby and Chris Duarte. And I believe advanced tix for this triple bill are just $18...what a bargain!

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