Music Forecast 7.16-7.22: Jeff Black, Kevin Gordon, Cultivate Festival, Cold War Kids, Saint Motel, Van Halen, Wiz Khalifa and Fall Out Boy

Jeff Black, Kevin Gordon
Jeff Black has spent more than 25 years in Nashville, but that doesn’t mean the Kansas City native has forgotten his roots. Friday, the singer-songwriter returns for an intimate show at Knuckleheads’ Gospel Lounge. Black is a storyteller in the tradition of Pete Seeger, and his talents seem to sharpen with each release. Case in point: last year’s Folklore. On that album, Black’s voice is both campfire-friendly and solemn. Opener Kevin Gordon treads a bit more heavily in country territory, but he’s just as skilled an artist.

Friday, July 17, Gospel Lounge at Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Chipotle Cultivate Festival
Since the summer of 2011, Chipotle Cultivate Festival has been going from city to city, but this is the first year that the food-and-music event has staked its flag in Kansas City. In addition to some tasty eats and libations — provided by Chipotle and a few local vendors — Saturday’s fest offers food exhibitions and chef demos. That’s all spliced between sets from a lineup including headliner Portugal the Man. Also on deck: electro-pop act St. Lucia, power-pop foursome Smallpools (think Passion Pit on a sugar high), the badass Betty Who, Austin producer-songwriter Max Frost, and resident Chipotle DJ Christopher Golub. Bonus: This fest is free. Go get your guac on.

Saturday, July 18, Penn Valley Park (Pershing Road and Main Street, chipotlecultivate.com)

Cold War Kids
Since Cold War Kids’ 2006 debut, Robbers & Cowards, only Nathan Willett (lead singer and guitarist) and Matt Maust (bassist) remain. On the band’s latest album, Hold My Home, these two demonstrate an interest in maintaining the strong-willed, arena-ready rock that catapulted them to stardom. Sure enough, Willett and Maust can still hold down their hooks, but on the whole, the album feels a little insincere. Though their content may be lacking, Cold War Kids deliver solid shows, as the generally enthusiastic reviews for the band’s latest tour reflect. Chances are, you’ll find something to jive to Sunday at Crossroads KC.

Sunday, July 19, Crossroads KC at Grinders (417 E. 18th St., 785-749-3434)

Saint Motel

It takes little effort to get into the music of Saint Motel. The Los Angeles four-piece has unlocked that most holy of combinations: danceable grooves; party hooks; and sexy, sing-along choruses. The band’s latest release, last year’s My Type EP, checked off all those boxes and wrote in a few new ones. Saint Motel pulses through speakers and delivers hand-wrapped packages of California sunshine, but they’re not without depth, either. Chicago rock band Empires opens.

Tuesday, July 21, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen’s recent interview with Billboard, in which he claimed that David Lee Roth “does not want to be [his] friend,” does not inspire confidence in the longevity of Van Halen’s summer tour. No dates have been canceled following Eddie’s harsh words — likely because after four-plus decades with Van Halen, Roth has learned to shake it off. In any case, fans of the legendary rock band can watch the two fake it or duke it out Wednesday at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre.

Wednesday, July 22, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater (633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, 913-825-3400)

Fall Out Boy, Wiz Khalifa
Perhaps the biggest surprise of Fall Out Boy’s 2013 comeback, Save Rock and Roll, was the fresh, relevant feel that it gave to the decade-old band. That feeling didn’t dissipate on this year’s spastic American Beauty/American Psycho, either. Perhaps in an effort to expand its fanbase, Fall Out Boy has hooked up with rapper Wiz Khalifa for a few dates this summer. Wiz is promoting his forthcoming album, Rolling Papers 2: The Weed Album. Up-and-coming rapper Hoodie Allen opens the show.

Tuesday, July 21, Cricket Wireless Amphitheater (633 N. 130th St., Bonner Springs, 913-825-3400)