Music Forecast 2.19–2.25: Hozier, Merle Haggard, Hundred Waters, Ariana Grande, and more

Catfish and the Bottlemen

Catfish and the Bottlemen’s debut record, The Balcony, is a rather confounding collection of songs. On the one hand, the Welsh quartet is presented as the heir apparent to early aughts stadium rock, a confident bridge between the Arctic Monkeys and Kings of Leon. On the other: Is this really a sound we were missing? Many critics and fans seem to believe so. Catch this buzzing act Thursday night at RecordBar and judge for yourself.

Thursday, February 19, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Motion City Soundtrack

Minneapolis pop-punk band Motion City Soundtrack is making good on the titular promise of its breakthrough 2005 album, Commit This to Memory. The band is on a winter tour commemorating the 10th anniversary of that album and playing it in its entirety. Get to the Granada Sunday if you want to spend an evening listening to the soundtrack to some of your best (or worst) decade-old decisions.

Sunday, February 22, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence,
785-842-1390)

Hundred Waters

There are moments in Hundred Waters’ The Moon Rang Like a Bell that feel extraterrestrial. Singer Nicole Miglis seems to have more atmospheric energy than an actual person should. Her voice glides through her songs’ synth-made crevices as easily as cold air through an open window. But don’t discard this Florida quartet in the ocean of indistinguishable, of-the-moment electro-pop. Hundred Waters comprises more than button pushers. The band’s songs sound like digitized jazz brought outside the gravitational pull, making for a sonic experience that, we hope, is heightened live.

Sunday, February 22, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Merle Haggard

Merle Haggard is one of outlaw country’s quintessential voices. He has been since the 1960s, when the genre was building its muscles. And it is Haggard, along with Buck Owens, whom we have to thank for introducing us to the signature Bakersfield sound that was perhaps the original rebellion to the polished sheen of Nashville country. So whether you’re signing up for this Country Music Hall of Famer’s Monday-night show because you grew up listening to his rich twang or you’re afraid that the 77-year-old missing half a lung might not have too many tours like this left in him, we’re certain you won’t be disappointed by this legend.

Monday, February 23, Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway, 816-753-8665)

Hozier

Hozier’s Liberty Hall show sold out almost as soon as tickets went on sale. But we don’t expect such a barrier to be an issue for the dedicated concertgoer. We’re also not that surprised. The Irish singer-songwriter’s Grammy-nominated hit single, “Take Me to Church,” has been beaten into our heads by radio DJs everywhere. So we expect nothing short of mobs for his Lawrence date — even on a school night.

Monday, February 23, Liberty Hall (644 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-1972)

Ariana Grande

Look, we’re sure Ariana Grande is talented. Getting a show on Nickelodeon isn’t easy, right? But let’s not pretend we’re interested in her Wednesday-night concert in Independence because of her vocal prowess that, for the record, is formidable. We’re far more intrigued by the number of Grande’s rumored costume changes and her reputed status as the most demanding diva since Mariah Carey. Her live show is bound to be a spectacle, and who wants to pass that up?

Wednesday, February 25, Independence Events Center (19100 East Valley View Parkway, Independence, 816-442-6100)