![KC Summer Concert Preview [Phish, The Flaming Lips, Appleseed Cast, Josh Ritter, Old Crow Medicine Show]](http://demencha.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/phish-EDIT.jpg)
Alright folks, it’s summertime. Time for some Boulevard Saison-Brett, Shakespeare in the park, repeats of fall television and Royals’ losses….oh, and summer concerts. I usually find myself going to more shows in the fall, but there are a bevy of summer shows that you won’t want to miss coming up in the Kansas City area in the next couple months. Without further ado:
The Flaming Lips @ Liberty Hall (Lawrence KS), Thursday June 21st and Friday June 22nd: The Lips come to LK for a two night stand in celebration of Liberty Hall’s 100th anniversary. The Lips have been repping the OKC Thunder recently and collaborating with everyone under the sun (Neon Indian, Chris Martin, Ke$ha…yes you read the last two right). Me thinks that their drummer, Lawrence native Kliph Scurlock, may have had a hand in this. As always, the show should be outrageous fun.
The Appleseed Cast @Riot Room, Thursday July 12th: Everyone’s emo/space rock heroes return for a semi-regular gig at Riot. No word on whether founding member Aaron Pillar will be back behind his pedal board for this one. He was missed at the Middle of the Map show in April.
Josh Ritter @ Crossroads KC/Grinder’s, Thursday July 19th: Singer-songwriter and all around amazing guy Josh Ritter comes to play the outdoor venue at Crossroads in what I believe is his first Kansas City appearance. His shows in Lawrence have always been emotional and moving, so fans should expect more of the same. NOTE: If you meet him once, he will remember you years later (in a non-creepy way).
Old Crow Medicine Show @ Crossroads KC/Grinder’s, Saturday July 21st: OCMS are back from their brief hiatus last year and have swapped founding members, with Critter Fuqua now touring with the group while Willie Watson has indefinitely left. Fans of bluegrass can rejoice once again. NOTE: Yes, you will most likely get to hear “Wagon Wheel,” relax.
Phish @ Starlight Theatre, Wednesday August 22nd: There’s nothing that says summer to me more than getting roasted in the sun and listening to live Phish. For some people this will be the biggest show in a decade, as Phish makes their first trip to KC since reuniting and since their most recent appearance at Sandstone/Cricket/Verizon/T-Mobile/Sprint/AT&T Wireless Amphitheater in 2003. Last time they came to town we got a Wolfman’s Brother, Tweezer (complete with Dust in the Wind teases) and a Makisupa Policeman. In 2000 at Sandstone, they opened up with a rare cover from the White Album (Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except For Me and My Monkey). Who knows what we’ll get this time? Tickets are already being scalped for insane amounts.
(Below is the entire Phish show from 9-25-00 at Sandstone on Youtube)
