Bowie superstar tribute The Band That Fell To Earth launches 10th anniversary residency at recordBar
Back when Twitter was Twitter, the Zika virus was purported to be the possible epidemic of the global world, and we had yet to contend with the first presidency of Donald Trump, modest pedestrian citizen Dean Podesta tweeted January 10, 2016: “If you’re sad today, just remember the world is 4.53 billion years old and you somehow managed to exist at the same time as David Bowie.”
Bowie’s legacy lives on at recordBar in an annual tribute show celebrating its 10th run this year. Comprised of members from bands across the KC metro, The Band That Fell to Earth returns from the atmosphere to exhibit Bowie’s songs as true-to-form as possible. The show spans two weekend dates, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 16 and 17, 23 and 24. 
Michelle Bacon, who plays bass in the band and spearheads production, came up with the idea in 2015 with drummer Stephanie Williams. Originally slated as a one-time production in January 2016 at Knuckleheads, the tune changed with the death of Bowie early in January ahead of the show. Tickets sold out fast.
“I could see people crying in the audience. It felt really cathartic to gather there and play that music.”
People approached Bacon after the show, asking if there would be another. Bacon and The Band That Fell to Earth kept it going, adding additional Bowie arrangements each year and bringing in more musicians from local bands that now encompass Frogpond, Katy Guillen & The Drive, Season To Risk, The Freedom Affair, and more.
Nathan Corsi of Nathan Corsi and My Atomic Daydream has been with The Band That Fell to Earth from the beginning. He spoke to his experience with the extensive discography, “As a musician, when you listen to something that is so well written and so thoughtfully constructed the way that Bowie’s songs, often it’s hard to comprehend before you play it because of the ease of which it seems to be executed from that original artist.”
When he and his friends were freshmen in high school, they joined the David Bowie fan club for exclusive ticket access and grabbed floor seats to see A Reality Tour in Ohio. These were people he began his first band with.
Playing the songs year after year, he shares, “In many ways I feel as close to these songs as some that I’ve written.”
When Michelle Bacon also found Bowie’s music as a teenager, “It really resonated with me. A lot of his music is about somebody who felt like an outcast, being an alien, being not of this world. Through his artistry he really showed creativity that’s outside of the mainstream.”
Continuing to support affirming resources is a cause of the show. A portion of ticket sales and all auction proceeds benefits Our Spot KC, which provides resources and safe space for the LGBTQ+ community “to build a world where everyone can feel valued, supported, and empowered to be their true selves.”
Bacon says of the tenth year, “The demand still seems to be there. The love of Bowie seems to be there, and the love of community.”
This show is a chance to dive into the music of a multitalented heterochromia man, beacon and inspiration throughout his lifelong craft; to share community and support a good cause.
If you’re feeling satisfied with seeing the live rendition of Bowie’s songs just for one day, tickets start at $25 adv/$30 doors. If you’re digging into his discography in memoriam this January and one show isn’t enough, be assured, there are three other dates for you, with a ticket package encompassing all four shows for the biggest fans.
Tickets can be purchased at linktr.ee/bowiekcmo.
