Music Forecast November 7-13: The Gold Magnolias, Keith Urban, Heyrocco, Pink, and more

The Gold Magnolias
I’m as over this whole retro-revival thing as the next person, but I can’t get enough Gold Magnolias. This is an act that isn’t simply trying on genre hats to fit the zeitgeist. The Brooklyn five-piece (tenor-sax player Ryan Anselmi is a Kansas City native) is serious about the intersection of rhythm, blues and soul, and it was born the old-fashioned way, with members cultivating material over yearlong club residencies. It’s unlikely that these guys are going to stay under the radar much longer.
Friday, November 8, Czar (1531 Grand, 816-421-0300)

Tristen
This is kind of a last-minute gig for the Chicago-via-Nashville singer-songwriter, who spent 2012 opening for Americana hero Justin Townes Earle. Tristen’s “matinee” gig at the Replay Lounge isn’t on her official tour schedule, but the impromptu nature of the stop should serve Lawrence audiences well. Tristen is on the road in support of Caves, released earlier this year, a vibrant pop album that matches sexy synths to folk pleasantries. The disc plays as though Tristen took the Nashville twang out of her sound and substituted a little bit of Sia. She’s a pretty charming live act, too.
Friday, November 8, the Replay (946 Massachusetts, Lawrence, 785-749-7676)

Pink
It’s hard to believe that it has been 13 years since Pink strutted into the spotlight, flaunting her trademark pink pixie cut and her tough-girl attitude with the TLC-worthy hit “There You Go.” As international superstars go, she is among the hardest to find fault with, largely avoiding the gossip rags, the celebrity feuds and the usual highly publicized freakouts. Her fans say she has stayed true to her music and her style, and her arena gigs are hailed as proper spectacles. Expect Pink to swing from the rafters and pull out some Cirque du Soleil moves.
Tuesday, November 12, Sprint Center (1407 Grand, 816-949-7000)

Keith Urban
Keith Urban is one of those huge international stars of “modern country.” Aside from his affected U.S. Southern accent (dude was raised in Australia) and his tight jeans, there’s very little that is actually country about Urban. The production and lyrical content of his songs are much closer to those of, say, Miley Cyrus. Still, I’m sure he’s a very nice guy. This year, between judging contestants on American Idol and sexting wifey Nicole Kidman, Urban had time to record and release his most recent album, Fuse, and that’s what he’s bringing to KC.
Friday, November 8, Sprint Center (1407 Grand, 816-949-7000)

Pure Bathing Culture
Portland dream-pop duo Pure Bathing Culture has earned plenty of comparisons with the hazy sounds of Beach House, but on its debut full-length, Moon Tides, it also drops a little Laurel Canyon folk into its music. Sarah Versprille has a voice straight off some California dreamer’s 1970s B-side, dusted off and dressed up with some 1980s-style electronics. If you like yearning, synthy shoegaze, you will love this band.
Wednesday, November 13, RecordBar (1020 Westport Road, 816-753-5207)

Heyrocco
Heyrocco makes me believe that indie pop-rock is a thing, a thing with a future, a thing with a real place in the world. The Charleston-bred trio of boys released its debut full-length album, Comfort, last year, and there’s already a new album on the way. Strong shows of support have risen up around the band, now that it has toured to support acts such as Surfer Blood and Miniature Tigers. And though its sound is dark and fuzzy, it’s also surprisingly polished and mature for being so, you know, indie. This is absolutely a band to watch.
Monday, November 11, FOKL (556 Central, KCK, foklcenter.com)

Iron & Wine
The last time I saw Sam Beam live — two years ago, when he was touring in support of Kiss Each Other Clean — his set stretched near the two-hour mark and devolved into something dangerously reminiscent of a Christopher Cross adult-contemporary jam session. The show reviews for Beam’s latest tour, in support of his recent Ghost on Ghost, suggest that Beam has reeled himself back in. This comes as a relief. Also: Beam continues to have an amazing beard, a fact that I feel is always worth mentioning.
Saturday, November 9, the Midland (1228 Main, 816-283-9921)