You’re in for a treat (or a trick?), Lawrence! Not only is Rocktober in full swing, but it’s pretty on-brand with the Halloween/goth theme. Goths and rockers, rejoice! This month is for YOU. We’ve got enough gothy shows to keep everyone happy, but be sure to check out the list at the bottom for other notable events happening in the region (and, as always, please check out the eXplore Lawrence concert calendar for the full list).
White Line Nightmares / PopSkull Rebels / Kaw Tikis
Lucia | October 5
I tend to associate rockabilly with the month of October (don’t ask, I don’t make the rules, it’s *science*). So we’re just pleased as punch to see the month starting strong with this lineup. Local rockers White Line Nightmares will be bringing a decent dose of garage rock to the stage, and our favorite costume-clad surf rockers Kaw Tikis will be delighting fans with their furiously fast instrumentals. But it’s PopSkull rebels who absolutely wowed audience at Live on Mass earlier this year when they opened for Split Lip Rayfield. This is a can’t-miss show for locals.
RIYL: Koffin Kats, The Reverend Horton Heat
Twin Temple
The Granada | October 6
OK, so we’re starting spooky month strong. If you don’t see a band with songs like “Satan’s A Woman” and “Lucifer, My Love” this month, what are you even doing with your life? It’s HALLOWEEN MONTH and we won’t have it any other way. The cherry on top for this married duo is the vintage 1950’s doo-wop sound they bring to the stage. Don’t let the look of the band scare you too much, the overall theme of their band is usually about inclusion and LGBT rights. Think…. Buddy Holly meets Elvira. This is going to be a fun show full of theatrics, costumes, and style, a can’t-miss concert for Spooky Season.
They’ll be joined by “very evil guest” Creeper.
RIYL: Lucifer, Shannon and the Clams
Gatecreeper / Frozen Soul / Worm
The Bottleneck | October 9
Lawrence gets a healthy amount of metal shows through the region every month, but this is the big one for October. Gatecreeper will be rolling through The Bottleneck, and we won’t be surprised if this sells out. Expect it to be packed as the death metal delivers new music from the recently released Dark Superstition. They’ll also be joined by Frozen Soul and Worm, both familiar faces at the Bottleneck who have each played here earlier this year.
RIYL: Creeping Death, Witch Vomit, Fuming Mouth
Mannequin Pu**y
The Granada | October 16
We don’t like putting Mannequin Pu**y in any genre. While a lot of writers refer to them as indie rockers, it’s hard to ignore the punk outbursts they bring to their songs. The energetic rockers will be rolling through The Granada mid-month, touring off their recently released I Got Heaven. The band checks all our boxes: their lyrics are confrontational, they can get wild onstage, and they got a real attitude. You should be just as excited about Mexican punk rockers Margaritas Podridas, who will be opening the show.
Tech N9ne
The Granada | October 17
If there’s one thing we’ve come to learn in Lawrence, it’s that Lawrence LOOOOOVES Tech N9ne. Honestly, everything Strange Music does knocks it out of the park every time. It’s no wonder nearly 5,000 people have already RSVP’d to this show. If there are tickets available, hurry up and snatch them. This is perhaps the region’s best-known rapper, and he makes a point to stop by Lawrence every year. His show is wildly entertaining, and he needs little frills onstage to completely captivate his audiences. This is talent in its purest form, and we’re lucky to have him coming back year-after-year.
RIYL: Krizz Kaliko, CES Kru, Lil Wayne
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...
