Music Forecast 7.2-7.8: Gogol Bordello, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Kristeen Young, Rev Gusto, Crossroads Summer Block Party and more

Gogol Bordello

Ukrainian-born Eugene Hütz is the best kind of madman, and he makes the most of his craziness in his multicultural eight-member troupe, Gogol Bordello, which merges the traditional sounds of Eastern European music with punk and electronica. Pura Vida Conspiracy, the band’s most recent album, is Exhibit A. It’s Gogol Bordello’s most sophisticated collection yet. Polkas entangle with rhapsodic melodies. Electric guitar meets the lute. Reggae is sprinkled throughout. As always, Gogol Bordello remains adept at merging disparate parts of the musical world. Friday, you’ll want to be at this summer dance party.

Friday, July 3, Crossroads KC at Grinders (417 East 18th Street,
785-749-3434)

Rev Gusto, Crystal Baller, Rachel Mallin & the Wild Type

If you’ve had your fill of fireworks, perhaps the best way to celebrate this nation’s birthday is with a local-music lineup. Look no further than the Tank Room, where the local pop five-piece Rev Gusto headlines the bill. Later this month, the band releases its debut full-length, Burnt Out Friends, on High Dive Records, so you can expect to hear a sample of fresh tunes. Crystal Baller is also on deck, and if you haven’t yet heard Rachel Mallin’s dreamy alto sliding over the slick electronica she lays down with her band the Wild Type, you’re missing out.

Saturday, July 4, Tank Room (1813 Grand, 816-214-6403)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

Pretty much anyone with a pulse can remember exactly what life was like in the summer of 2009, thanks to the power of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ smash-hit single “Home.” It was that song — with its warm, buoyant melodies and uplifting Johnny and June-style chorus — that delivered the Los Angeles group to national recognition. Six years later, the band’s rotating cast of players (numbering up to a dozen people), helmed by lead singer Alex Ebert, hasn’t delivered a hit that made us feel nearly as good about ourselves, though 2013’s self-titled album did bring a welcome dose of sunshine. Perhaps that will change on the band’s forthcoming album. You’ll likely get a taste of the new material Monday when the band stops at Crossroads KC.

Monday, July 6, Crossroads KC at Grinders (417 East 18th Street, 785-749-3434)

Kristeen Young

Kristeen Young performs a song like she’s fending off an attack. There’s a Lady Gaga-like ferocity to her voice, which grows to operatic heights on The Knife Shift. As she trills through track after track, Young pounds on her keyboard as if throwing punches at an assailant. The effect can be jarring, even scary, the way a listener is suddenly dropped into Young’s mad, topsy-turvy art-rock world. But she knows what she’s doing. Just ask her BFF Dave Grohl, who plays drums and guitar on nearly every track on The Knife Shift. Or, perhaps, you can just find out for yourself Wednesday night at RecordBar.

Wednesday, July 8, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Crossroads Summer Block Party

Last month’s annual Crossroads Summer Block Party, postponed due to potential inclement weather, goes on Friday with almost an entirely new lineup. Punk trio the Fog kicks off the evening at 6, and the night continues with the Fritz Hutchison band, Fullbloods, rapper Barrel Maker and beat maker D/Will, garage rockers Organized Crimes, the danceable Heartfelt Anarchy, psych-rock weirdos Monta at Odds and Lawrence singer-songwriter Taryn Miller (aka Your Friend). As always, this show is free and awesome.

Friday, July 3, the Crossroads (19th Street and Wyandotte, crossroadsblockparty.com)