Upcoming KC Concerts

As a huge fan of concerts, I was immediately astonished by the endless supply of talent coming to KC this summer and fall. For me, no concert can live up to seeing U2’s Innocence + Experience tour in London at the O2 Arena — but the performances coming to KC have the potential to be a close second.

I’ve decided to give my top three picks for this year’s class of concerts — Kenny Chesney, Imagine Dragons and Billy Joel. While you wait for the concert date to arrive, enjoy the spotify playlist I’ve attached below each artist.

I’ve also attached a list including other concerts you may enjoy more if you aren’t a fan of those three.

KENNY CHESNEY: Sat. July 14, 7:00 PM, Arrowhead Stadium KCMO

Kenny Chesney, the modern country legend, has more than 40 Billboard “Hot Country” Top 10 songs. His “Trip Around The Sun” tour is coming to Kansas City, at his usual spot: Arrowhead Stadium, making it his sixth performance there in the past eight years.

Chesney is the ultimate summer concert. Every one of his songs could be combined on a  “Lake and Beach” playlist that would never get old. My personal favorite, “American Kids,” combines a banjo, a guitar and Kenny singing a hook that’ll never stop being hollered by fans.

You can grab tickets for as low as $27 in the nosebleeds, upwards of $80 for mid-level seats, and upwards of $200 for lower pit tickets.  

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IMAGINE DRAGONS: Saturday July 14, 7:00 PM, Sprint Center KCMO

Imagine Dragons is an alternative rock band that brings a unique vibe to each of their songs.

I love listening to a majority of the songs on their three studio albums — “It’s Time” for a mighty win, “Battle Cry” for an infuriating loss, and “On Top of the World” for a day where you can’t possibly do wrong.

I find myself in awe of their lead singer, Dan Reynolds’ talent every time I listen to them. He has a voice that can go from a thunderous low bass range to a piercing tenor. With a talented band to back him up, he is an artist who has the gift of sounding exactly like what his audio albums sound like — a feat most singers can’t come close to boasting.

Being at the Sprint Center, tickets are a bit pricier — nosebleeds going for about $60, mid-levels upwards of $140, and lower pit tickets for upwards of $160. 

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BILLY JOEL: Friday September 21, 8:00 PM, Kauffman Stadium KCMO

As one of my favorite artists of all time, Billy Joel’s concert at the K is the one I’m most hyped for. It’s the first concert to ever be held at Kauffman Stadium, and Joel is more than capable of making it one to remember.

Joel is the rare breed of an artist that captivates and transcends generations, compelling both children and adults alike to howl, “sing us a song, you’re the Piano Man” for hours on end.

My favorite songs by Joel seem to feature only him and a piano, displaying the raw talent he possesses without many other instruments covering it up. Even though there may be others in the background, they only complement his mastery for music.“Vienna,” “My Life,” and “Streetlife Serenader” are my best examples of this — prompting you to ponder over how exactly the music you’re listening to could be real.

Joel’s concert is the priciest of my picks, worst to best $75-$275. However, the extra cost is well worth the quality of music you’ll witness. 

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ALL CONCERTS