Who’s tired of the snow?! Who’s tired of the cold?! Who’s ready for FUN!? This is it, this is the month we start ushering in the good times! The air will warm up; we’ll get a taste of Spring and a street parade, and all the fun stuff will hit the stages of Lawrence music venues. This year, March is when we pack up the winter blues and head into the fun and lively shows of Spring. But if you’re not ready, there’s some mellow stuff for you as well (peep the other events list at the bottom of this article). Here are some of the best live music events you can see this month in Lawrence, Kansas.
Mnozil Brass
Lied Center of Kansas | March 3
This is not going to be your typical brass concert. Mnozil Brass, an Austrian septet, dedicates their performances to a wide array of genres (classical, jazz, etc.)… but they also involve quite a bit of Austrian humor in their work. They’re often referred to as the “Monty Python of the musical world,” placing themselves prominently as loveable goofuses onstage while they deliver different takes on pieces you’ll likely recognize. Come for the laughs, stay to be wowed by their talents.
RIYL: Feeling like a silly goose every now and then.
The 2025 Mardi Gras Parade
Downtown Lawrence | March 4
Oh boy! It’s my favorite event of the year! I make no secret of this. We all know I get around in the nightlife music scene—but this oddball, midday event smack dab in the middle of winter is hands down the reason I stay here. It’s UNAPOLOGETIC JOY.
The parade is a 100 percent community created musical calamity, and headed up by River City Brass Band. It feels like everyone in town grabs an instrument, pots and pans, anything that makes noise, really… and heads down for the most joyous musical excursion. The band plays a series of Mardi Gras hits (“Down By The Riverside,” “When The Saints Go Marching In”) with a huge crowd of costumed revelers in tow. But this isn’t a street parade, it’s a sidewalk parade! And the crowd truly does take over, clogging up traffic, storming into stores and restaurants, surprising the living heck out of people sitting down to a meal with all their noise. It’s FANTASTIC, and EVERYONE LOVES IT. We refuse to believe otherwise.
The added bonus is that there’s an additional pre-party before the event, a masquerade ball at Lucia on the Saturday before (on March 1). So there are TWO opportunities for you to hear the happiest songs on Earth.
RIYL: Dressing up and having fun. Not recommended if you’re allergic to fun.
FSZ & Mercy Fire / Tay Dreamin / Mosaic / Limestone
The Replay | March 6 (early show)
This show will be a good opportunity to familiarize yourself with some of the incredible music coming out of Kansas City right now. FSZ and Mercy Fire is a dream of an act that will likely melt your worries away with soulful vocals that are just to die for. This is the kind of act we expect to see take off on NPR’s Tiny Desk sessions. We honestly don’t know how they’ll hold all that big energy on the small Replay stage, but make sure you get out to see.
RIYL: Keo and Them, bobbing your head along uncontrollably to sweet grooves
St. Patio’s Party with Kaw Tikis / Old Fangled / The Fixers / The Tonganoxie Split / Brody Buster Band + More
The Replay | March 17
We don’t really count the first official day of Spring here in Lawrence until the St. Patio’s Party at the Replay on St. Patrick’s Day has officially wreaked havoc. It’s one of the best ways you can welcome the warmer weather. Generally, the winter plastic shields come down, the patio opens up, and a slew of bluegrass and folk bands take the stage. The green beer is flowing, and the casualties of the St. Patrick’s Day parade make a beeline from Downtown to the venue, clad in green beads and feathers. Something exciting happens every year at this show because folks are just so eager to kickstart patio shows for the warm season. Come for the music, stay for the malarky.
RIYL: Playing hooky and starting your partying at noon on a weekday
The Velveteers
The Bottleneck | March 26
We’ve really yet to experience a bad Velveteers set. Every time they come through, it’s a riot. This is rock and roll in it’s purest form—it’s raw, it’s unruly, and it brings out the feral crowd. The band always brings two percussionists to spice things up, while the guitarist is unmatched in stage presence. We always say the Velveteers is a can’t-miss show. They’ll be joined by Girl Tones and Indra on this night.
RIYL: The Linda Lindas, Cherry Glazer, Cat Fight
Other events to keep on your radar:
The Gothic Cowboy Review
Northside Social | March 2
The Mad Kings / BBB
The Replay | March 2 (early show)
Michael Marcagi
The Granada | March 4
The Steven Hiatt Band with Til Willis
Northside Social | March 7
Adult Rock Camp
The Granada | March 8
Songs from Ireland with Carswell & Hope (and friends)
Liberty Hall | March 8
Helmet
The Bottleneck | March 9
The Band That Saved the World / Page 7 / VCMN
The Bottleneck | March 14
St. Patrick’s Day at Northside Social
Northside Social | March 17
The Beer Bellies
Lucia | March 19
Giovannie & The Hired Guns
The Bottleneck | March 29
Music Business Month
The Lawrence Music Alliance (LMA) is pleased to announce March as Music Business Month, a citywide initiative dedicated to empowering local musicians, industry professionals, and creatives with the tools and connections they need to thrive.
Throughout March, LMA will host a series of workshops, webinars, networking events, and mentorship opportunities, all aimed at fostering a stronger and more sustainable music ecosystem in Lawrence. Learn more here >
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...
