If you thought festival and street party season was over, you are WRONG. Lawrence doesn’t really know how to go more than a month without *gestures vaguely* SOME sort of musical commotion in the streets. This month, we see celebrations reach beyond Downtown. But there’s good stuff in there for the folks looking for mellower shows as well. Here are our top picks for live music in Lawrence this September.
MixMaster 2024
Lucia, The Bottleneck, The Replay Lounge, Eighth Street Taproom | September 6-7
Writer’s note: For full disclosure, I work with the organization hosting this event.
Oh, our local music cup runneth over with this one! This September, a massive nod to local music kicks off for an entire weekend thanks to an event seeking to empower local musicians and music industry workers. MixMaster 2024 is returning to the Lawrence Public Library with a conference on boosting the local music scene. But this year, in addition to a host of panelists and speakers, the conference is also hosting live music showcases. They’ll also hold a free healthcare clinic for musicians. But what’s more impressive is the diverse selection of music genres taking place across the Downtown area, with many of the bands coming from Lawrence, the Wichita area, and Kansas City.
You can find a schedule below, and more information at MixMaster2024.com.
FRIDAY SEPT 6TH
The Bottleneck
Draper Family Band, Christena Graves Band, The Swallowtails
Doors 7pm Show 8pm | Single cover: $10
The Replay (early show)
Sky Smeed, Beth Watts Nelson, Bad Alaskan
Doors 5pm Show 6pm | Single cover $5
The Replay (late show)
Jesus Christ Taxi Driver, VCMN, Yae
Doors 9pm Show 10pm | Single cover $5
SATURDAY SEPT 7TH
Lucia
Kelley Hunt & The Five, Christopher Burnett Duo, Erin Earl Wood, Von Hansen
Doors 5pm Show 6pm | Single cover: $5
MXM2024 HAPPY HOUR 5-6PM
KAC providing food
Eighth Street Taproom:
Dalima Kapten, 2W33DY, NMH
Doors 6pm Show 8pm | Single cover $5
#6 Replay Late FB event:
Alien Hellbop, Kadesh Flow, The Instant
Doors 9pm Show 10pm | Single cover $5
RIYL: Supporting local music, duh
Lawrence Beer Company Block Party
Lawrence Beer Company Lot | September 6
Well if it isn’t some of Lawrence’s top-tier party bands. Lawrence Beer Company is, once again, celebrating their anniversary with a free street party. This time, they’ll be bringing in the masters of funk, the Band That Saved the World, along with The Whips and The Short Circuits. Be ready, this is going to be a night of dancing under the stars. Street festivities start at 5:00 p.m. with music soon after. There will be vendors, merch, the works (like a mini Lawrence Oktoberfest, but in September!).
RIYL: Jam bands, funk bands, cover bands
The Get Up Kids: 25 Years of Something to Write Home About
The Bottleneck | September 14 and 15
We don’t even know why we’re listing this, it is SOLD OUT. But, if by chance, you are able to snag a ticket from a friend, know that this is such a popular show, they booked TWO days in a row at the Bottleneck.
While many of us recognize members of The Get Up Kids as our neighbors (and friends’ dads, depending on your age), they hold a much larger presence with music fans in the rest of the world. Decades ago, they struck it big in the emo world. Since then, they’ve had television appearances, nonstop articles, and world tours (which they still do every year or so). This month, they’re celebrating 25 years of one of their second release, Something To Write Home About, with shows in both Lawrence and Kansas City. They sold out in seconds, even after adding a second Lawrence date. So, good luck sneaking your way in, comrades!
RIYL: The New Amsterdams, Saves the Day
Peelander-Z
The Bottleneck | September 25
Oooooooh boy! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!! This is, hands-down, the can’t-miss fun event of the month! You will be INSANELY REGRETFUL if you miss this show.
We love bands who love to get silly, and Peelander-Z (if you couldn’t tell by the photo) is the SILLIEST. They’re our favorite neon-clad Japanese punk rockers, and we’re lucky that they make a point to swing by Lawrence every couple of years. Every show is an interactive treat. You can’t be a fly on the wall at this show, EVERYONE does something to interact with this band. Even if you’re shy, you’ll be glad you did. Their shows are full of theatrics, party tricks, limbo. It’s like an SNL Stefon sketch coming to life! Do not sleep on this one, Lawrence! You’ll have so much fun! We have taken SO many photos of people crowd-surfing at these shows.
RIYL: Atom and His Package, The Aquabats, Tacos Tacos Tacos
Shaboozey
Downtown Lawrence | September 27
We think the hottest ticket of the month is also the most under-publicized one. So let me make this clear: this show is a RARE opportunity, and you will never get another one like it.
Even if you don’t initially know who Shaboozey is, you’ve likely heard him. The unlikely star is now the second black artist to top the Billboard Hot Country Charts (after Beyoncé). Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” was everywhere this Summer (we heard it at least five times every time we went to the public pool.)
To kick off the third annual Rock Chalk Party, Shaboozey will be playing A FREE DOWNTOWN STREET PARTY in Lawrence. Not only will the town celebrate the beginning of KU Football season, we’ll get loads of vendors, a pep rally, photos with Big and Baby Jay, you name it. Then, to top it off, Shaboozey plays at 8:30.
We know we say this a lot, but please don’t sleep on this. You’ll turn on the TV in early Spring next year and probably see him all over the awards shows, scooping up Grammys and whatnot. The next time he comes (if he comes through again), he’ll be playing larger venues in Kansas City.
RIYL: Rising pop stars, street parties, KU
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...
