FRIDAY
Broncho, with Be/Non and Soft Reeds, at the Riot Room.
Tulsa's Broncho runs on the twin engines of classic power pop and punk rock; the band wouldn't have been out of place on the much-loved Kansas City label Titan Records in the late 1970s and early '80s. Opening are two local bands that also draw inspiration from the sounds of the 1970s: Soft Reeds (nervous glam rock) and Be/Non (theatrical psych).
ALSO FRIDAY
Jimmy Cliff, with 77 Jefferson, at Crossroads KC at Grinders
Jimmy Cliff has been collaborating of late with Tim Armstrong of Rancid, which is pretty amazing. It's unclear how that will influence the Grinders performance of the unofficial reggae ambassador to the world, but I'm thinking it couldn't hurt. The local reggae dudes in 77 Jefferson open.
Gin Blossoms, at KC Live Stage at the Power & Light District
Gin Blossoms never got much critical love, and the cool bands of today never cite them as an influence. They deserve better. New Miserable Experience is an alt-rock classic, stacked with pop-rock hit after pop-rock hit. And who among you will deny the chops so plainly evident in such songs as "Lost Horizon" and "Til I Hear It From You"?
Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Tribute, at RecordBar
If you like piña coladas or Michael McDonald's husky voice or riding the way the wind does, you'd do well to stop by this annual party, which returns to RecordBar after last year's show at now-shuttered Crosstown Station. Bandleader Chris Sieggen is guiding a crew of local and ex-pat musicians through a set highlighting the easy-breezy sounds of the Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Hall and Oates, Steely Dan, and various one-hit wonders of 1970s AM radio. The band is tight, and sailing attire is encouraged (seriously).
SATURDAY
KKFI New Blood: The Next Generation, at Davey's Uptown
John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons, Amy Farrand, and Hearts of Darkness are among the local acts lined up for this fundraiser for community-radio station KKFI 90.1. Promoting the city's culture on the airwaves can be a thankless endeavor, so throw these folks a bone, or whatever they're asking for at the door.
