Photo Courtesy of Variety.com
As school is coming to a close, students are looking forward to the end of homework and the beginning of going to the pool and doing nothing all day. However, one of the best things about the summer is all the upcoming summer concerts, and with options from Drake & Future to Zac Brown Band, it’s hard to choose. With that in mind, here are the top ten Kansas City summer concerts.
10. Selena Gomez
If the summer concerts weren’t so stacked this year, Gomez would be much higher on this list. The stop in KC is a part of her Revival tour, with other stops in Europe and Asia. The 23 year old artist will be performing such songs as “Good For You,” featuring A$AP Rocky, and “Hands To Myself”. Personally, I am not the biggest Selena Gomez fan, however, a good amount of millennials in KC will want to go, and her collaboration with A$AP Rocky has brought her more fans from a different genre and more popularity. Therefore, she makes this list for her expanded music genre and already immense following.
Where: Sprint Center
When: July 1st, 2016, 7:00pm
Ticket Price Range: $62- $1900
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9. Disclosure
The Disclosure concert is one of the most underrated concerts this summer. Disclosure, without a doubt, is in a category of their own because their style of music is so different from any other artist on the list. This electronic duo is an interesting choice of a summer concert. The group consists of two English DJ brothers with three Grammy nominations, including Best Electronica Album of the Year for 2016’s for Caracal. The album features collaborations with artist like Sam Smith, The Weeknd and Lorde. Disclosure is currently on their world tour, performing in places like Dubai and Paris. They will perform songs from their new album such as “Omen” and “Holding On.”
Where: The Crossroads, 417 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108
When: May 14th, Sat, 8:00pm
Ticket Price Range: General Admission $50- $60
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8. Ellie Goulding
Eighth on the list is Ellie Goulding, currently on her world tour for her new album Delirium, with shows in the US and Europe. Though she is one of the newer artists on the list, she has had her fair share of success. With a Grammy for her song “Love Me The Way You Do” and experience touring with Taylor Swift on her 1989 tour in 2014, Goulding will not disappoint. Her music differs greatly from the concerts above, as it is better defined as indie pop. Though I am personally not a huge Ellie Goulding fan, this will be a great concert for people who like her type of music.
Where: Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
When: May 17th, Tues, 7:00pm
Ticket Price Range: $30- $270
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7. G-Eazy & Logic
Logic and G-Eazy finally return to KC after past performances this year and are among the many highly anticipated rap concerts this summer, YG and Yo Gotti are also featured in this concert. The artist will be performing songs from their latest albums, Logic’s “The True Incredible Story” and G- Eazy’s “When It’s Dark Out.” This tour, labeled The Endless Summer Tour, is one of my favorites. As a fan of Logic’s concert in February, and a chance to see G-Eazy, YG and Yo Gotti all in one concert, I will be buying my ticket, and soon.
Where: Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
When: July 12th, Tues, 6:30pm
Ticket Price Range: $25- $200
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6. Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa
Besides Drake & Future, Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa are the best rap concert this summer. Snoop Dogg, one of the best rappers in history, who has collaborated with the likes of Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar in the past. He will undoubtedly perform some of his greatest hits and new songs live. In addition, Wiz Khalifa, who debuted two albums in 2016, including Khalifa, has seen success as of late. With songs like “Bake Sale,” the duo will bring just as much excitement to the audience as Drake & Future will, without the steep ticket prices.
Where: Providence Medical Center Amphitheater
When: August 18th, Thurs, 7:00pm
Ticket Price Range: $22 – $460
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5. Zac Brown Band
With this concert being one of the earliest on May 27, the Zac Brown Band will be a strong contender as one of the best. Their success will continue with their 2016 tour Blackout the Sun. Since the band’s debut in 2002, they’ve won three Grammy awards, including Best Country Album in 2013, though I’m not the biggest country music fan, I am still excited for this concert; the music has a way of connecting the audience together and making the whole crowd feel like a big family.
Where: Sprint Center
When: May 27th, Friday, 7:30
Ticket Price Range: $56- $200
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4. Buzz Beach Ball
Buzz Beach Ball, one of the most popular annual KC concerts in recent years, is due to bring its expected excitement again this year. This two day concert at the newly named Children’s Mercy Park will be filled teenagers and young adults. Some of the acts include Alabama Shakes, Cage The Elephant, Portugal The Man and countless others. With 12 bands playing each day, there are 24 bands total. With a majority of the acts from the alternative and rock genres, this isn’t a concert for everyone. However, those interested in that genre of music will be in for a treat for a concert that has already established itself as a go-to event year in and year out.
Where: Children’s Mercy Park
When: July 16-17, Sat & Sun, 2:00pm
Ticket Price Range: $50-$100
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3. Guns N’ Roses
The chance to see one of the biggest rock bands in history isn’t something that happens often, especially when that rock band is Guns N’ Roses. With the band fresh off their reunion at Coachella, they’ll be riding the momentum all summer. What excites me the most is the chance to see one of the best guitarists ever: Slash. The 1993 winner of the World’s Best Group award will without a doubt be performing their well-known classics like “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” At Arrowhead stadium the concert will be filled with people who grew up listening to Guns N’ Roses back in the 1990s. These people will get to relive the classic rock n’ roll at Arrowhead Stadium.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium
When: June 29th, Wed, 5:00pm
Ticket Price Range: $45-$1,800 (All tickets)
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2. Drake & Future
The 816 won’t be the only city Drake is running through this summer, as his recently announced Summer Sixteen tour is scheduled to go to over 25 cities. The concert features the rapper Future, who collaborated with Drake to release a mixtape this year entitled What A Time To Be Alive. Drake is scheduled to release his fourth studio album Views the same day tickets for the tour go on sale, which is April 29. The concert will without a doubt be filled with music from Drake’s new album, with a high chance of performing songs from their joint mixtape. As one of the top summer concerts not only in KC but in the US, this concert is a must.
Where: Sprint Center
When: July 23rd, Sat, Time TBD
Ticket Price Range: TBD
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1. Kenny Chesney
Finally, the number one summer concert in KC this year is Kenny Chesney’s Spread the Love Stadium Tour, at Arrowhead Stadium. Because of his long career, which started in 1993, and Kansas City’s love of country music,his concert will bring upwards of 50,000 people from all around. With the tour kicking off April 23rd, reviews have been high. The tour features music from his album The Big Revival, with songs including “American Kids” and “Save It For a Rainy Day”. With his highly anticipated album Somewhere in Town being released July 8th, Chesney is expected to perform songs from that album. Supporting acts include Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion and Jake Owens. I personally wouldn’t mind spending a Saturday night listening to country from the eight-time performer of the year.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium
When: July 16th, Sat, 5:00pm
Ticket Prices: (Standard) $40 – $240
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