Bowie seances, Andy McKee pyrotechnics and Phantastics dance fever topline your first concert weekend of 2017
The Band That Fell to Earth: A David Bowie Tribute
The hellish nightmare that was 2016 claimed the great David Bowie, but the legendary star’s spirit lives on. Local Bowie tribute band the Band That Fell to Earth brings together a slew of talented artists for one spectacular night of hits and memories. You can thank bass player Michelle Bacon, of the Philistines, for organizing this supergroup. The roster is a KC who’s-who that includes guitarist and singer Alex Alexander; singer Steve Tulipana (Season to Risk, Roman Numerals); keyboardist Kyle Dahlquist (Mr. Marco’s V7, the Hardship Letters); drummer Stephanie Williams (Katy Guillen and the Girls); and guitarist and singer Nathan Corsi (Not a Planet). Violinist Betse Ellis, saxophonist Rich Wheeler, trumpeter Clint Ashlock and a handful of others also ascend the stage Saturday night. Bonus: A portion of proceeds from this show will be donated to the AIDS Service Foundation of Kansas City.
8 p.m. Saturday, January 7, at RecordBar, 1520 Grand
Andy McKee
For anyone disposed to scoff at the idea that instrumental acoustic guitar can be captivating and innovative, the best regional told-you-so is Topeka native Andy McKee. The fingerpicking virtuoso has been an international sensation since his breakthrough in 2007, thanks to some well-timed YouTube videos and performances with the likes of Josh Groban and Prince. If you want to know what makes McKee’s playing so distinctive, the evidence is stacked in his impressive discography, including his 2010 full-length, Joyland, and his more recent Autumn in New York, made with renowned jazz artist René Bottlang. Saturday at the Bottleneck, you can witness his talent and technique firsthand.
8 p.m. Saturday, January 7, at the Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence
The Phantastics
If you need to get a party started, who you gonna call? The Phantastics, obviously. Over the pasts five years, the local group has built a reputation as one of the area’s premier purveyors of a good time. The band hopscotches through jazz, gospel, hip-hop and neo-soul, creating a sound as joyful and danceable as that amalgamation of influences would suggest. Vocal duties are split between two very capable leads — rapper Kemet Coleman (also known as the Phantom) and Leigh Gibbs — and the group is fleshed out with guitarist J.J. Cantrell, bass player Danny Florez, drummer Ashley Thompson, saxophonist D.J. Mitchell and keyboard player Austin Quick. Friday at Riot Room, help the Phantastics celebrate their fifth anniversary. Dancing shoes required.
7 p.m. Friday, January 6, at Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
Badflower (pictured), Paralandra
8 p.m. Sunday, January 8, Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
The Sluts
10 p.m. Thursday, January 5, at Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence
Chad Rex, Electric Lungs (pictured), Hipshot Killer
9 p.m. Thursday, January 5, at Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5
Crosseyed Cat
7:30 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
Max Berry
7 p.m., The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.
Midnight Marauders
8 p.m., The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence
Guitar Elation
6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Joe Cartwright Trio
10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Brody Buster Band with the MGD’s and Gnarly Davidson
7 p.m., Knucklehead’s, 2517 Rochester
Bloom, Doubledrag, C. Vadi
9 p.m., MiniBar, 3810 Broadway
My Pet Monster, Nimesee, CQuence
7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6
King King
9 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
Indigo Hour: BMW
5 p.m., The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.
Chad Rex and the Old Chelsea, The Electric Lungs, hipshot Killer
9 p.m., Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main
Spaits, Perkins & Fleeman
2 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Joe Cartwright Trio with Eboni Fondren
5:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Ryan Thielman Quartet
8:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Boogaloo 7
10 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Lauren Anderson Band and Sabrina & the Howlers
8:30 p.m., Knucklehead’s, 2517 Rochester
The Crayons
8:30 p.m., Knucklehead’s, 2517 Rochester
The Black Creatures, Dear Miss Dew, The Soviet Year
9 p.m., MiniBar, 3810 Broadway
My Oh My, Missouri Loves Company, Shady Burros
7 p.m., Tank Room, 1813 Grand
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
Mama Ray’s Jazz Meets Blues Jam
2 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
The Assembly
9 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
Wild Men of Kansas City
8:30 p.m., The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.
3 Son Green, the North Fork, more
8 p.m., The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence
Holidays, Royal Ferns, Atomic 50’s, 21 Years of Winter
9 p.m., Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main
Roger Wilder & Lisa Henry
2:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
OJT
6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Steve Lambert Quartet
10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
A Leon Russell Tribute with Nace Brothers, Shinetop Jr. and more
8:30 p.m., Knucklehead’s, 2517 Rochester
Elvis Birthday Bash
8 p.m., Knucklehead’s, 2517 Rochester
Yookie
8 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
Use Your Atlas, Timbers, DJ Jerry Brow
7 p.m., Tank Room, 1813 Grand
SUNDAY, JANUARY 8
The Confessors
6 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
Rojas, DeVan, Fondren & Hopper
6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Steve Lambert Quintet
10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Badflower, Paralandra
8 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
MONDAY, JANUARY 9
Seth Lee
7 p.m., The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.
Molly Hammer Duo
12 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Matt Hopper Trio
6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Max Groove Trio
10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Mothership, Hyborian, Custom Black, Orphans of Doom
7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10
Danielle Nicole Band
7 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
Chris Hazelton Trio
7 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Perkins, Spaits & Strait
11:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Michael Stoufer & the Reason He Drinks
7 p.m., Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
Shinetop Jr.
7 p.m., B.B.’s Lawnside BBQ, 1205 E. 85th St.
OJT
6 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Ernest Melton Quartet
10:30 p.m., Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Bob Walkenhorst & Friends
6 p.m., The RecordBar, 1520 Grand
