Music Forecast 7.23-7.29: Tim McGraw, Graham Nash, Robert Earl Keen, CES Cru and One Direction

One Direction
When Zayn Malik relinquished his One Direction throne in March, millions of fans worldwide mourned his departure. To their credit, the remaining four members of the English-Irish boy band soldiered on, and Tuesday, the group’s On the Road Again Tour — in support of last year’s Four — stops at Arrowhead Stadium. Though we thought the dated boy-band formula had died when ‘N Sync grew up, we have to admit that the modern incarnation of One Direction has brought some decent pop into our world. (“Steal My Girl” is all sugar.) Still, you’ll want to pack earplugs for this show — not for the music but for the teenagers’ shrieks.

Tuesday, July 28, Arrowhead Stadium (1 Arrowhead Dr., 844-854-1450 or stadium-kc.com)

Tim McGraw
Country-music superstar Tim McGraw is 48 years old, but he looks and sounds almost exactly as he did when he debuted 25 years ago. His latest release, 35 Biggest Hits, celebrates his extensive career. And even if you aren’t a country-music fan, there’s a universal appeal to McGraw’s assured, good-ol’-boy drawl. Dust off your cowboy hat and polish your boots ahead of his stop Thursday at Cricket Wireless Amphitheater.

Friday, July 24, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater (633 N. 130 St., Bonner Springs, 913-825-3400)

Graham Nash
Graham Nash — one-fourth of the former Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young — brings his solo tour Saturday to the Uptown. The 73-year-old legend has promised a set stretching across his 50-plus-year career, which we take to mean songs from his days in the U.K. pop sensation the Hollies up through his time with CSN&Y and beyond. Nash has proved himself an intimate storyteller, and there is no doubt that he can command the attention of a full audience.

Saturday, July 25, Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)

Robert Earl Keen
Robert Earl Keen’s most recent album, Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions, finds the Texas singer-songwriter delving deep into that traditional sound, which he accomplishes, in part, thanks to his rough-hewn, grainy voice. That Keen is far better known for his outlaw country only makes his genre experimentation more impressive. If you’ve been wondering where to find authenticity in country music, Keen is your answer.

Saturday, July 25, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-842-1390)

Ces Cru
We don’t often get to see Ces Cru perform around these parts. So when the group has the headlining spot at a local venue, it’s best to block off the night — and the following morning. The Strange Music duo’s latest album, Codename: Ego Stripper, showcases the formidable talent and skill with which rappers Ubiquitous and Godemis deliver their razor-sharp rhymes. If you want hip-hop with as much heart as it has bite, hit Ces Cru’s Saturday-night show at the Riot Room.

Saturday, July 25, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)