Concert Calendar: Wilco, Gwen Stefani, Lee Ann Womack, Julion Alvarez, Josh Groban, Heart, Cheap Trick and more

Wilco
Wilco’s new album, Schmilco, comes out in September. No one has explained the album title yet, but we’re not going to be bothered, because if we know Wilco by now — and we should, since Jeff Tweedy and company have been with us for more than 20 years — we know that they don’t really need an excuse to call their tenth album Schmilco. Just like Wilco didn’t need an excuse for last year’s Star Wars — which took fans by surprise in a few ways besides its unannounced, unpromoted release. If Schmilco offers more in the vein of the reborn Wilco — in which the guitar work is crisp and the songwriting is crafty but uncomplicated and the band sounds like they’re really having fun and letting loose for the first time since 2004’s A Ghost Is Born — well, count us in. William Tyler opens.
Tuesday, August 16
Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St.

Gwen Stefani
If you spent torturous afternoons after school blaring No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” on repeat and watching your mascara run in the mirror, know that Gwen Stefani has not forgotten those days. Her latest album, This Is What the Truth Feels Like, doesn’t seek to reclaim former fangirls — though, let’s be honest, they probably never left her — but as her first album in more than a decade, it is a reminder of Stefani’s ineffable likability. There are some hits in the making here; “Make Me Like You” is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt the pangs of a Sandra Dee–Danny Zuko romance, a catchy bit of bubblegum pop (and perhaps an ode to Stefani’s unlikely new boyfriend, Voice co-judge Blake Shelton) that sets listeners up for the titular feel-good ballad “Truth.” References to Stefani’s recent divorce from Gavin Rossdale pepper the album, too. And there’s a little more of that jaded ’90s girl that we first came to love in “Used to Love You.” Profess your love again Friday at the Sprint Center.
Friday, August 12
Sprint Center, 1407 Grand

Lee Ann Womack
It’s been 16 years since Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” dropped into the universe (and every graduation party in 2004), but the Texas singer has had plenty going on. Case in point: her stunning 2014 album, The Way I’m Livin’, which offers the type of country you heard more of in the early ’90s: moody, unpolished, a little heart-on-the-sleeve but still radio-worthy. It’s also a solid reminder that Womack still packs one of the best voices in country music, and her Texas lilt is a charming anchor for sad-skewing songs about losing love and letting go. If you’re over the bro-country choking the industry, or if you feel betrayed by Taylor Swift’s crossover, step into Womack’s waiting arms on Friday night at Knuckleheads. Just bring the tissues.
Friday, August 12
Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Thursday 8.11
Max Berry
The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

DJ Nasty Orange
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Ted Nugent, Nick Schnebelen Band
Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St.

Matt Hopper Trio
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Andy T & Nick Nixon
Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Bummers Eve, Drugs & Attics, Innermodal
Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Lee Scratch Perry & Subatomic Sound System
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Friday 8.12
Lady D
The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Marcus Hampton Sextet
The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Headlight Rivals, StrawBilly, Popskull Rebels
The Brick, 1727 McGee

Donner Party of Three, Signal Ridge
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Spirit of KC Fest
Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St.

Adam Lee, Sky Smeed, Dane Talley
Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main

Tim Whitmer
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Universe Contest, Skeleton Farm, Varma Cross
Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Sealion, War Party
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Um…, In the Encore
Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway

Saturday 8.13

Julion Alvarez
Sprint Center, 1407 Grand

James Ward Band
The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

David George & A Crooked Mile, Drew Black & the Dirty Electric, Elijah Newman
The Brick, 1727 McGee

The Lonesome Houndogs, Arthur Dodge,
The House Jumper
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Flux Pavilion, Minnesota, G Buck
Crossroads KC, 417 E. 18th St.

Max Groove Trio
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Molly Hammer Quartet
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand
Flatland Cavalry
Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Worlds of Fun, the Lucky, SquidsKC
MiniBar, 3810 Broadway

Victor & Penny, Jacob Tovar & the Saddle Tramps
RecordBar, 1520 Grand

The People’s Punk Band, Iron Guts Kelly, the Bad Ideas
Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Madball, Homewrecker, Coldside, Altered Beast
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Declan McKenna
Tank Room, Uptown, 3700 Broadway

Sunday 8.14
Eboni Fondren Duo
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Mad Kings, Douglas County Quintet
Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Afton Showcase
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Monday 8.15

Heart, with Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and Cheap Trick
Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Rd.

Brian Steever
The Blue Room, 1616 E. 18th St.

Todd Strait Trio
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Mother Crone
MiniBar, 3810 Broadway

Sir Michael Rocks
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Tuesday 8.16

The Melvins and Helms Alee
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

Lil Yachty
Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence

Sequel Quartet
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

The Ambulanters
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway

Josh Groban, with Sarah McLachlan
Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Rd

Wednesday 8.17
DJ Killa Watt
The Bottleneck, 737 New Hampshire, Lawrence

YouMonsterYou
Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club, 3402 Main

OJT
The Green Lady Lounge, 1809 Grand

Rufs Blues Caravan — Blues Sisters
Knuckleheads, 2517 Rochester

Billy Changer
Riot Room, 4048 Broadway