Cover Photo by Steve Parke
Well, if it isn’t the most WONDERFUL time of year! It’s going to get nuts at the end of the month, what with Busker Fest, public schools getting out, and KU and Haskell Graduation. But the concert calendar is absolutely PACKED until then. From heavy metal to funky basslines to cry-along bands, this month’s calendar is leaving us scrambling to get to all the shows (May 10th is a particularly exciting day for the concert calendar). Yes, our music cup really does runneth over this month, so be sure to check out the additional list of events at the bottom. Here are our best bets for live music in May.
Victor Wooten and the Wooten Bros.
The Granada | May 1
We’re kicking off the month with a very funky good time. It’s such a treat to have Victor Wooten stop by The Granada, we almost couldn’t believe this show landed here (yes, we could, this is Lawrence after all). This is your chance to see one of the greatest living bassists, so don’t sleep on this one (Rolling Stone named him one of the greatest bass players of all time, if you need any more proof). This music legend has played on too many albums to count (including ten of his own solo albums and several with Béla Fleck and the Flecktones). Come for his jaw-dropping basslines, stay for one of the best feel-good atmospheres of the year in local music.
RIYL: Making a stank face at bassists
Julien Baker & Torres
Liberty Hall | May 10
Let’s all get sad together! Every time we’ve been blessed with a Julien Baker performance in Lawrence, we’ve gotten to experience emotion in its rawest musical form. Baker makes some of the most beautiful music we’ve ever heard, and it really packs a punk, hitting you right in the gut. So don’t be surprised if you see a few tears in the audience (it’s happened before!). Now you may be asking yourself, what could make Baker’s music even more emotional? Well, country music, of course.
As a duo with TORRES, Baker delves into some deep heartbreak. They’ll be touring in support of Send A Prayer My Way, released just last month.
RIYL: Lucy Dacus, Phoebe Bridgers, Heidi Gluck
Spring Thing! A FidPick Fundraiser
Gaslight Gardens | May 10
I swear, there’s no greater feeling than stepping onto the patio of a North Lawrence venue for some bluegrass and roots music in the Spring. I mean, it feels pretty good to do that all year-long, but it REALLY feels good to do it in the Spring. We are anticipating positive vibes only at this annual fundraiser for FidPick. You’ll get a chance to see some familiar FidPick faces, including Old Sound, The Lost Keys (who won String Band of the Year last year), and Sally and the Hurts.
RIYL: Being completely at ease with a beer in your hand
Youth Lagoon
The Bottleneck | May 13
I think it’s been at least ten years since we’ve seen Youth Lagoon roll through Lawrence. This is an artist who really knows how to pull at our heartstrings. Known for songs that make us yearn for our younger days, Youth Lagoon’s latest album Rarely Do I Dream delves even more into the desire for submersion into our nostalgia, layering songs with soundbites from home movies, making for an emotional ride through Trevor Powers’ vulnerable memories.
RIYL: Sufjan Stevens, Perfume Genius, CS Luxem
Drifter “Grigori” Album Release show
The Bottleneck | May 24
Drifter has long been a favorite amongst metalheads in Lawrence. In true metal style, it’s taken the artists quite a while to get an album out the door. This month, the long wait is finally over with the anticipated release of Grigori, an absolute masterpiece for local music. This band is very good at getting the crowd worked up, and we’ve noticed at recent performances that even folks who aren’t really into metal drop what they’re doing and remain fixated on the band.
This is going to be a very exciting night for fans of metal bands, as they’re bringing along local legends Godzillionaire, The Soiled Doves, and Dread the Waking for the ride.
RIYL: Headbanging until your head snaps off
This is the place where Nirvana & Green Day played in a small, standing-room-only shack. This is the place where Janelle Monae packed in her hometown crowd. George Clinton has funked up our streets and we “fought the power” with...
