Behind the Music
2022 Not-to-Miss
Concerts
L
ive music returned to Kansas City and the rest of the world in 2021, but not with the same force and volume we were accustomed to before the pandemic. Things appear to be heading toward normal in 2022. Kansas City lost two of its more popular music venues in 2021, both in Westport: the Riot Room and the Westport Saloon, which were not able to survive the economic damages rendered by the suspension of live music for more than a year. However, the venues that managed to navigate the pandemic’s turbulence—places large and small—are gearing up for a bountiful 2022. Here’s a quick look at just 15 of the shows already booked through the summer. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for plenty more additions. And consult each venue’s website as show dates approach to see what pandemic protocols are in place.
by
Timothy Finn
IN KC
January 21 KACEY MUSGRAVES at the T-Mobile Center With each appearance in Kansas City, Musgraves has graduated to a bigger venue or larger marquee status, from opening for Katy Perry to headlining at the Midland, then Starlight. Now a multi-Grammy winning arena performer, Musgraves was in the news in 2021 when she was snubbed by the Recording Academy, which left her off the “best country album” ballot after declaring her fifth and most recent studio album, Star-Crossed, didn’t fit its country-music mold. Fair enough: It’s more pop than the average definition of country, but it also deserves some Grammy attention. Regardless, she will bring to her first headlining arena show in Kansas City a large trove of songs, some of which drip with the sounds of traditional country music. A personable and engaging live performer, she’ll no doubt prove that she and her songs are big enough to satisfy an arena crowd, no matter what genre they belong in. With King Princess and Muna. Tickets start at $39.
January 21-22 THE BAND THAT FELL TO EARTH at RecordBar This annual event was launched in January 2016 to celebrate the music and the birthday of David Bowie. But a couple of weeks before the show, Bowie died of cancer, and the tribute became more a memorial and commemoration of his life and career. It also became one of the more popular local shows in the Kansas City music world, so popular it’s now an annual two-night event. The band comprises some of Kansas City’s finest musicians, who play a splendid assortment of hits and deep cuts. It will sell out (again) so don’t hesitate. Tickets start at $20. February 1 ELTON JOHN at the T-Mobile Center Sir Elton’s previous show in Kansas City—Feb. 13 at what was then the Sprint Center—was supposed to be his final show ever here, part of his “I’m not kidding this time” farewell tour. But within a year, he’d put retirement on hold (again) and announced another tour and Kansas City show in 2020. Covid postponed that date; this is the makeup date. If you saw him in 2019, you know what he brings to his live concerts: a deep catalog of hits and classics and a sure and steady way of performing them. The few remaining tickets start at $250.
JANUARY 2022
| 42 | INKANSASCITY.COM
