Music Forecast: Tool, Grazzhopper, El Monstero, Soopa Mooni Downz

Tool

As Tool enters its 26th year, we welcome the legendary band to the Sprint Center for a show that, we expect, will not disappoint. This Kansas City date is part of a short January tour, which is serving only to build anticipation for a purported forthcoming album from the band. (Tool hasn’t put out a new release since 2006’s 10,000 Days.) Special guests Primus and 3Teeth are also on deck.

Wednesday, January 20

Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Blvd., 816-949-7100

Grazzhopper

One soundbite from Tulsa duo Grazzhopper and you’d be convinced there were at least two or three other players in the band. Guitarist Dylan Angleton and banjoist and guitarist Cody Brewer share singing duties, and between the two of them, they create a mellifluous ruckus as earnest as old country and as exciting as new love. Lawrence’s Bayley Kate & the Running Late join the bill. The five-piece evokes the spirited Americana of Arlo Guthrie and the Band, while weaving a Midwestern blues thread through the Woodstock-era folk.

Friday, January 15

The Bottleneck (737 New Hampshire, Lawrence)

El Monstero
No one wants to admit that they like a tribute act. There can be only one Richard Simmons, you know, and there is no replacing Keith Richards. But El Monstero, a St. Louis Pink Floyd tribute act, is leagues above the usual cover bands. By now, the 17-year-old El Monstero has had plenty of time to finesse its show, which features, of course, flashing lights, smoke machines and the true exhibition of good rock concerts. Since it’s unlikely that Kansas City will get an opportunity to see the actual Pink Floyd anytime soon, we recommend letting El Monstero take you to the dark side of the moon.

Saturday, January 16

Uptown Theater (3700 Broadway)

Soopa Mooni Downz

Whatever boring, sad Monday night you had planned, throw it out. Riot Room offers a far more enticing evening with a local hip-hop lineup, featuring KC rapper Soopa Mooni Downz, an up-and-coming artist with an intuitive flow. Farout, Marty Notes, High Risk and Jet are also on this stacked bill, which is presented by Shameless KC and the Loop KC — so you know it’s worth your time.

Monday, January 18

Riot Room (4048 Broadway)