Music Forecast 9.17-9.23: Taylor Swift, Making Movies Carnaval, Best Coast, Wavves and Levi Parham
Taylor Swift
Here’s what we know for sure about Taylor Swift. The 25-year-old singer-songwriter and seven-time Grammy Award winner loves her cats, Meredith Gray and Olivia Benson. As of press time, she had surpassed Kim Kardashian in Instagram followers (making her the most followed person on the ‘Gram). And her 2014 album, the pop-centric 1989, confirmed what music heads around the world were already anticipating: global domination by the Swift empire. Swift has been touring in support of that album since May, and fans everywhere have reveled in the endless stream of surprise guests at various tour stops. Finally, on back-to-back nights at the Sprint Center, Kansas City gets to bask in the glorious sunshine of Swift. Which glamazon girlfriend will she bring with her? Where might we spot her around town? Let the #SwiftSightings begin. Aussie pop star Vance Joy opens. Both shows are, obviously, sold out.
Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, September 22, Sprint Center (1407 Grand, 816-949-7100)
Making Movies Carnaval
Last year, local Latin-rock band Making Movies launched a successful culture, music and arts festival, Making Movies Carnaval. The Carnaval returns with a hefty lineup of multicultural acts curated by Making Movies: L.A.’s Las Cafeteras, a band built around Afro-Mexican beats and social messages; New Orleans’ Hurray for the Riff Raff, an acoustic blues-folk duo featuring the smoky, gorgeous voice of Alynda Segarra; Austin’s Migrant Kids, deliverers of moody, synth-driven pop to which you’ll have no problem grooving; and Houston’s Gio Chamba, who produces live electronic dance-meets-cumbia fusion music (yes, it’s as weird as it sounds, but delightfully so). This is an all-ages party with plenty of kid-friendly activities, too, so show up early and be prepared to stay late.
Saturday, September 19, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)
Best Coast
Five years after its debut, Crazy for You, Best Coast is no longer the California-dreamin’ band it was when it emerged — back when most of the lyrics that tumbled out of lead singer Bethany Cosentino’s mouth were charged with a lackadaisical, often drug-induced positivity. On California Nights, Cosentino seems to have found a jaded cynicism that manifests itself in her most personal and transparent songwriting yet. Some of it is trite and schoolgirlish. (On “So Unaware,” Cosentino belts out this unfortunate line: What is life, what is love, what’s the meaning of it all?) For the most part, it’s nice to see her sobering up and trying to figure shit out. There’s something charming about the angst-ridden “When Will I Change,” which suggests that Cosentino hasn’t totally abandoned her optimistic ways. Despite the lyrical shift, Best Coast has lost none of its affinity for sparkling synths. Sunday night’s show at RecordBar is sold out, but check Craigslist.
Sunday, September 20, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)
Wavves
Fuzzy riffs, scratchy singing and barely there hooks dominate No Life for Me, the collaboration album from San Diego slacker punk band Wavves and Cleveland’s Cloud Nothings. It’s a solid effort that makes you wish the bands were touring together, but getting just Wavves at the Granada should be entertaining enough. Frontman Nathan Williams doesn’t shy away from mosh pits, rowdy crowds or mind-altering substances, which means that this show could go any number of ways. Come prepared.
Sunday, September 20, the Granada (1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-842-1390)
Levi Parham
Levi Parham was last in KC in January, which leads us to believe that this Oklahoma native is rarely at home. Parham is continuing his road-warrior ways in support of his 2014 EP, Avalon Drive, six Americana songs that showcase his grainy, warm voice. Fans of Ray LaMontagne and Amos Lee should find plenty to like in this Southern charmer.
Wednesday, September 23, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)
