Music Forecast December 5-11: Hunter Hayes, the Infamous Stringdusters, Drake, the Lonely Biscuits, and more

The Infamous Stringdusters
The Infamous Stringdusters are not your granddaddy’s bluegrass band. The Nashville five-piece seems unassuming on the surface — Dobro, fiddle, banjo, guitar, upright bass — and the band’s songs don’t seem to stretch the genre. But take a closer listen or experience a Stringdusters concert, and your eyes — and ears — will open to a new class of bluegrass, with elements of folk rock and infectious rhythms.

Friday, December 6, at Liberty Hall (644 Massachusetts, Lawrence,
785-749-1972)

Drake

I’ve been listening to Drake’s Nothing Was the Same on repeat for the last month. It cycles through the CD player in my car, and somewhat against my will, I find myself engrossed in Drake’s monotonous raps. On the one hand, I love how thoroughly specific and confessional his lyrics are (his shout-out to “Courtney from the Hooters on Peachtree” in “From Time” is both brilliant and terrifying). On the other hand, his open-diary format can feel lazy.Perhaps Drake’s live show will bring clarity.

Saturday, December 7, at Sprint Center (1407 Grand, 816-949-7000)

Midlake
Last year, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Tim Smith left Midlake, the indie folk-rock band he co-founded in 1999 and led to critical acclaim. Smith’s departure didn’t deter the remaining six band members from business as usual. Midlake’s second guitarist, Eric Pulido, took over lead vocals, and the group set out to write a new album. The resulting Antiphon — released just six months after Smith’s departure — still has the hallmarks of Midlake’s psychedelic Americana sound, but it also proves more expansive and breathable than any past Midlake release.

Saturday, December 7, at the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

Hunter Hayes
It’s unclear whether 22-year-old country star Hunter Hayes can yet grow facial hair. We won’t hold his baby face against him or the fact that he has figured out the formula to writing a country megahit: romantic, heart-on-your-sleeve lyrics, plus some adorable twang and a smile. In another year or so, he’ll pull a Taylor Swift and become a crossover sensation, so you might as well enjoy his purity while it lasts.

Friday, December 6, at the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)

The Caves

Local indie darlings the Caves exist somewhere between dream pop and psychedelic folk. Their full-length, Duplexiaville, released earlier this year, is a glittering nugget of precious, easygoing tracks that lead listeners by the hand to a field of butterflies and bluebells. Lead singer Andrew Ashby has a scratchy, straight-out-of-bed voice that seems to slow down the driving guitar chords. His harmonies with drummer Elizabeth Bohannon are so sweet, they require a dental checkup. Knife Crime and Sona offer local support.

Friday, December 6, at Davey’s Uptown Ramblers Club (3402 Main, 816-753-1909)

The Features

As the first band signed to Kings of Leon’s Serpents and Snakes label, the Features are either automatically beloved or dismissed. The Features deserve an unbiased listen. The band’s latest self-titled release contains dynamic, danceable pop songs that are as catchy as they are smart. This confident indie band seems to be maturing quite nicely — and is worth a weeknight venture.

Tuesday, December 10, at the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

The Lonely Biscuits

The Lonely Biscuits have two lead singers: John Paterini, with his classic pop voice’s smoky, throaty edge (think John Mayer but not annoying), and Grady Wenrich, an MC who keeps his rhymes at a relaxed pace, allowing the character of his voice to shine. Add some funk rhythms and blues guitar and — well, what do you call that? The band received mtvU’s 2013 Woodie Award, recognizing the best-emerging campus musicians. Here’s hoping that graduation doesn’t derail the band from a long career.

Wednesday, December 11, at Czar (1531 Grand, 816-421-0300)