[spotify http://open.spotify.com/user/kuchoco/playlist/4la4WpLGcKlrfzNtRBj7gX]

July 21

Saint Motel at RecordBar – 9:30 pm (SOLD OUT)

Saint Motel put on one of the more memorable performances I saw at Coachella this year. Full on costumed dancers on the stage for their set (which was still pretty early in the day). These guys know how to put on a show. Their album has been out since 2012, but somehow has only caught on now. At least it’s afforded them the chance to finally play a show in KC. They’ll be putting on a show at Kegs and Eggs at The Tank Room the morning of in case you didn’t get a chance to snag tickets for the sold out RecordBar gig.

July 21

Fall Out Boy and Wiz Khalifa at Sandstone Amphitheater – 6:00 pm ($29 – $70)

The Boys of Summer tour. Or whatever. I don’t get these two together – at all. All I do know is that crowd is going to be super freaking annoying. Stay away unless you are some crazed super fan. Fall Out Boy is still popular, but more of a shell of what they used to be. Wiz Khalifa just really isn’t my thing, but I’m sure he puts on a competent show. I think you can buy tickets on Groupon now…if that’s any indicator of how well this is selling.

July 22

Van Halen at Sandstone Amphitheater – 7:00 pm ($27 – $179)

The thing that strikes me odd about this show is that there is no GA pit. Everyone gets an assigned seat. Unless you’re in the grass, I guess. There shall be no jumping in the pit. Maybe they blocked it all off for pyrotechnics. I dunno. This should be a much more lively show than the one taking place at Sandstone the night before.

July 22

Cayucas at Riot Room – 9:30 pm ($10)

In my opinion, one of the best shows this week (and there are a lot of shows). Cayucas dropped an album earlier this year that most people probably haven’t listened to, but should. Fix the biggest mistake you’ve made this year by going to their show and giving Cayucas a listen.

July 23

Brick + Mortar at Granada – 8:00 pm ($13)

People in KC seem to love Brick + Mortar. Like, a lot. I’ve been to shows where more have shown up for Brick + Mortar opening than actually stick around for the headline act. Riot Room cleared out after their opening set last year. I would’ve felt sorry for the main act, but I left too. Whoops. B+M just dropped a new EP and, as with their others, it is catchy and doesn’t let go of your ear. Scruffy and the Janitors are opening up, too. This is well worth the drive to LFK.

July 24

Everclear, Fuel, and The Toadies at Power and Light District – 7:00 pm ($5)

Ok, so, if you have a ticket for Buzz Beach Ball, bring your ticket and get in free. Otherwise, it’s $5 to get in. Or stand outside the barricades and listen if you don’t want to part with $5. The ol’ Summerland Tour moved from it’s permanent KC summer home at Sandstone to Power and Light District. And you can’t just get a free ticket anymore. Literally every other year I’d just see people handing out stacks of tickets to the Everclear-headlined 90’s super tour. The show, in general, is just OK. But it’s really awesome if you just get plastered and belt out your favorite songs over the bands.

July 25

The Temptations at Ameristar Casino – 7:00 pm ($25 – $35)

I’m not sure what this show will be like. At all. Probably because I’ve never been to anything close to The Temptations. One one original member is still alive – Otis Williams -and remains in the lineup. I mean, it’d kind of be a once-in-a-lifetime thing to see them…I guess? I really don’t know, but they are one of the most successful groups of all time.

July 25

Buzz Beach Ball at Sporting Park – 2:00 pm (SOLD OUT)

Well, I hope you have an entire afternoon and evening to spend at Sporting Park. Yes, most of the bands in the lineup have been in KC in the past 12 months. But, everyone of those bands have also sold out the respective venues they’ve played in. Probably has something to do with the sold out status of Buzz Beach Ball. The lineup, in full, in case anyone needs a refresher:

The Greeting Committee – 2:45 pm: Kansas City’s newest homegrown buzz.

Andrew McMahon In The Wilderness – 3:30 pm: Sure, he’ll play his new stuff, but a lot of old favorites too.

K.Flay – 4:05 pm: K.Flay flays it. Or something like that. She last played at Czar Bar (RIP).

Milky Chance – 4:40 pm: They don’t speak English very well, but they have some catchy beats.

Zella Day – 5:25 pm: The only thing I know about Zella Day is that I can’t get into her music.

Glass Animals – 6:00 pm: Everywhere these guys go, they pack venues and get the crowd to gyrate.

Hanni El Khatib – 6:50 pm: Hasn’t been back since 2013’s Buzz Beach Ball – it’s about time.

Taking Back Sunday – 7:25 pm: They last were seen in KC filing Power and Light District past capacity and, frankly, the largest crowd I think downtown has ever seen.

Misterwives – 8:15 pm: Their lead singer has one of the most amazing voices I’ve ever heard.

AWOLNATION – 8:50 pm: The second album isn’t as instantly great as the first, but it grows on you after some listens. Maybe it translates amazing live.

Robert DeLong – 9:55 pm: Meh. Hopefully I’m drunk enough to dance.

Alt-J – 10:30 pm: Their Coachella performance was the best I’ve seen them yet. Great music, but their performances can be kind of stale.

On the Horizon