Music Forecast June 4-10: Avett Brothers, Wanda Jackson, Ben Harper, Whitey Morgan, Radkey, Randy Newman

The Avett Brothers

Before you hem and haw about the Avett Brothers jumping on that Americana-revival bandwagon, take a moment to appreciate that banjoist Scott Avett and guitarist Seth Avett have been working with this sound since their 2000 debut. That’s a decade and a half of commitment to the genre, and the brothers know what they’re doing. They have not reinvented themselves as a Coldplay ripoff (lookin’ at you, Mumford & Sons) or vanished into irrelevance, instead cultivating a steadfast fan following. Thursday at Starlight, maybe you’ll get a taste of the new material they’re working on.
Thursday, June 4, Starlight Theatre (4600 Starlight Road, 816-363-7827)

Wanda Jackson, 24th Street Wailers

The first lady of rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, stops at Knuckleheads this weekend. Anyone who had planned to see her with fellow country legend Loretta Lynn at the Uptown in November — Jackson canceled due to illness — should be pleased with the new arrangement. Opening for Jackson is Toronto’s 24th Street Wailers, a young group that has claimed its stake of rockabilly territory. The band’s latest album, Where Evil Grows, sounds like the kind of spirited music that would have caused outrage at a 1950s school dance. Friday, be prepared to revel in sweet saxophone notes, gutsy blues guitar and the indomitable force that is Jackson.

Friday, June 5, Knuckleheads Saloon (2715 Rochester, 816-483-1456)

Ben Harper

Ben Harper could sing lullabies in a crowded shelter during a raging hurricane and folks would probably emerge afterward saying, “That was kind of nice.” The 45-year-old singer-songwriter has a naturally soothing voice. That was apparent on last year’s Childhood Home, which guest-starred his mother, Ellen, on songwriting credits and vocals and won him his third Grammy, this time for Best Blues Album. Harper’s mom won’t be on tour with him this summer, but he has reunited with his longtime backing band, the Innocent Criminals, for this stretch of dates. Don’t miss him Friday at Crossroads KC.

Friday, June 5, Crossroads KC at Grinders (417 East 18th Street, 785-749-3434)

Whitey Morgan and the 78’s

Whitey Morgan’s voice is full of grit and snarl. Its sound would be hard to love if it were put to any music other than his own, a raucous brand of honky-tonk. It’s a shame that, despite a decade on the road, Morgan and his band, the 78’s, have not managed to break through the way his contemporaries have. His latest album, Sonic Ranch, isn’t likely to change that status. The album is crowded with more classic-country covers than originals but it’s still an exceptional turn from a talented artist who deserves more attention than he gets.

Saturday, June 6, the Riot Room (4048 Broadway, 816-442-8179)

Radkey, the Offspring, Bully, the Sluts

There are two reasons for you to jump on the chance to see Radkey this weekend at the KC Live Block. First, the St. Joseph trio — brothers Isaiah, Solomon and Dee Radke — are rarely around to perform shows on their home turf since they’ve been touring nationally and internationally. Second, their live set will melt your face and fry your brain with its blistering, brass-knuckles garage-rock excellence. Sunday, the band performs a show with California punk rockers the Offspring; Nashville’s Bully; and Lawrence’s most salacious duo, the Sluts.

Sunday, June 7, KC Live Block, Power & Light District (14th Street and Walnut, powerandlightdistrict.com)

Randy Newman with the KC Symphony

Randy Newman is one of the most lovable music men on the planet. It’s gotta be that unmistakable, Muppet-like voice paired with his bespectacled, grinning, piano-playing self. He just seems so happy, you know? Even the singer and composer’s arsenal of sad-sack songs makes him as lovable as a big teddy bear. Wednesday at the Kauffman Center, test the theory for yourself when Newman appears with the Kansas City Symphony for an evening of hits. This should thrill Pixar and Disney fans, or anyone who was a kid — or had one — when Toy Story made “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” a hit.

Wednesday, June 10, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts (1601 Broadway, 816-994-7222)