By Chrome Tuna
Nov 12, 2025
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Polly Windham Compass Point home of Dirty Girl Adventures
With November 12 marking the kickoff to a packed weekend in Northeast Kansas, the live music calendar from Kansas City to Lawrence explodes with indie grit, jazz grooves, and folk confessions. From sold-out alt-rock anthems to intimate punk-folk sets and tour debuts, this mid-month stretch delivers non-stop energy across dive bars, theaters, and saloons. We’ve pored over the NE KS Showlist to spotlight three can’t-miss shows that embody the scene’s raw diversity—ideal for locals and road-trippers alike. Read on for vivid previews, then scroll to the exhaustive lineup of every gig through Sunday, complete with ticket links where available. All of these listings are found at NE KS Showlist www.neks.show, a concert calendar constantly updated and easily found.
By Bob Cutler and www.dystopeka.com and www.neks.show
Blue October Ignites The Midland: A Raw Emotional Odyssey (November 12)
Blue October storms The Midland Theatre tonight, unleashing their alt-rock therapy session laced with piercing vulnerability and crowd-charged catharsis. Justin Furstenfeld’s raw narratives—from “Hate Me” heartaches to “Into the Ocean” swells—transform the 2,300-seat art deco icon into a collective exhale, blending 2023’s Get Some cuts with two-decade deep cuts. No openers slated, but the 90-minute sprint promises Furstenfeld’s signature crowd dives and acoustic unplugs, channeling his sobriety saga into electric communion. Amid KC’s neon hum, this We Didn’t Die Young Tour stop feels like redemption rock—grab a spot for the merch-fueled afterglow of resilience anthems. Tickets
Here’s what you need to know: TEN27 Bar | 6 p.m. Doors | 7 p.m. Show | 8 p.m.
Cory Branan’s Folk-Punk Fire at RecordBar: Stories That Sting (November 13)
Event by Mammoth, Cory Branan and recordBar
Cory Branan hits RecordBar with his signature blend of whiskey-soaked folk-punk, where razor wit meets gut-punch confessionals in a 300-capacity sweatbox primed for singalong salvation. Expect barn-burners from When I Go I Swim like “Survivor Blues” alongside fresh riffs teasing his latest, delivered with Telecaster twang and a voice like gravel redemption. Joined by opener Anthony Ladesich for a double-dose of Southern-tinged introspection, this 18+ intimate assault clocks in at two hours of no-frills fury—no pyros, just pure narrative propulsion. Branan’s tales of love’s wreckage and small-town ghosts make this KC pit-stop a haven for misfits craving authenticity over arena gloss. Tickets
Cory Branan with support by Anthony Ladesich. General Admission. Ages 18+ with valid ID. There will be a $2 minor fee at the door for patron under 21 years of age. Doors 7PM / Show 8PM
Ben Kweller’s Cover the Mirrors Tour at Knuckleheads: Indie Echoes Reborn (November 16)
Ben Kweller closes the weekend at Knuckleheads Saloon, resurrecting ’90s indie shimmer on his Cover the Mirrors Tour—a nostalgic nod to lost gems reimagined with matured melancholy. In the Indoor Stage’s gritty embrace, Kweller (ex-Rockfords, Ben Lee collaborator) will unpack Sha Sha staples like “How It Should Be (Sha Sha)” fused with Goo Goo Doll vibes, his falsetto soaring over acoustic-electric hybrids. Special guest Modern Love Child adds ’80s new wave sparkle as opener, priming the 21+ crowd for Kweller’s hour-plus of heartfelt reinvention. This Texas-bred songwriter’s return to KC channels faded mixtape magic—perfect for Gen-X souls chasing youthful reverie in a saloon haze. Tickets
These headliners pulse with personal depth and genre twists, but NE KS thrives on its undercard: punk bashes, jazz nights, and local tributes fuel the frenzy. Below, the complete roster from Wednesday through Sunday, straight from the NE KS Showlist calendar—in original format, chronological by day and time, with embedded ticket links from venue partners (TBA noted where unlisted; always verify via neks.show for updates). (This calendar is provided as a labor of love and obsession for live music. If you find this useful and beneficial, please consider making a donation to help us pay the bills Go to: Tin Cup Chronicles: Why George Soros Still Hasn’t Paid Me to Save Democracy )
Wednesday, Nov 12, 2025
- Haha Laughing (TX) / Horseboy / How To Make A B*mb / RMW at Farewell KCMO[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Surfaced (KY) / Wielded Steel (AL) / Lower Heaven / Pact Of Violence at Howdy[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Garrett Buster, Heath Church, Relax Dean at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Chezile – Wish You Were Here Pt 2 Tour at Warehouse On Broadway[Kansas City] [7:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Frights at Recordbar[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- HOLE: an Open Show at The Bottleneck[Lawrence] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Brian Culbertson at Uptown Theater[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets
- Blue October at The Midland Theatre at The Midland Theatre[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets
- May + The Ladies (MPLS) / Basal Jones (WI) at The Ship[Kansas City] [8:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
Thursday, Nov 13, 2025
- Modeling // SCUD // Puddle Noir ~ 6pm Early Show at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Ben Chapman at The Bottleneck at The Bottleneck[Lawrence] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Conan Neutron & The Secret Friends (WI) / Jorge Arana Trio / Night Tennis at Farewell KCMO[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Necromoon (IN) / Etymon (IN) / Salad Gaze / Despair\Decay at Howdy[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Candi Harvey at Northside Social[Lawrence] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Whitney K at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Ku Symphony Orchestra – Xavier Foley at Lied Center of Kansas[Lawrence] [7:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Joe Stamm Band wsg The Filthy Heathens at Knuckleheads at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [7:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Greyhounds & King Cabbage Brass Band at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [7:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Cory Branan at Recordbar[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets
- Free Jazz Thursday with Pete Fucinaro at The Ship[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Kazha at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Yards at Lucia w/ Special Guest Dave Gnojek at Lucia[Lawrence] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Decide Today // altosclef // Minona // DJ Chuck Norris at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [10:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
Friday, Nov 14, 2025
- The Crooked Rugs // Corners of the Sky // Truant Kids ~ 6pm Early Show at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Grand Marquis: Dinner Matinee Show at The Ship[Kansas City] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- LIVE MUSIC – Polly Windham at Compass Point home of Dirty Girl Adventures[Topeka] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Frightened Stag/The Fixers Return to Lucia at Lucia[Lawrence] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Fridge (TN) / Mizerin / Wounded Crane at Howdy[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- NO CNXN : Get Funked, Medicine Lodge, Teem & Tiger at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Sirens in the Suburbs, Social Scum, White Line Nightmare, Deep Dark Lake at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Boogie Nights, Simply Tina, Shining Star, 70s & 80s ROCK & Disco Live at Aztec Shawnee Theater at Aztec Shawnee Theater[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- WW-SHE pt. III: the BADONKADOME DRAG BRAWL!! at The Bottleneck[Lawrence] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Arthur Dodge & the Horsefeathers with Barefoot Cult at Northside Social[Lawrence] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- R&B Only Live at The Truman[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Katy Guillen & The Drive with Special Guest Angela Perley at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Phil Hamilton at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Yachties at Knuckleheads at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Mary Kate Farmer Live at Guitars & Cadillacs! at Guitars and Cadillacs KC[Kansas City] [8:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Men Of Men at The Ship[Kansas City] [9:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Maddie Medley / Honeybee at The Ship[Kansas City] [9:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Moose // Thimastr // Flora From Kansas at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [10:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
- BCR (Black Crack Revue) ~ Dinner Matinee Show at The Ship[Kansas City] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Natasha’s Benefit Show (ft. 95 Sweetbird / Cat F!ght) at Farewell KCMO[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- HPGB w/ Frost on the Flint & Huffy and the Nighttrain at Lucia[Lawrence] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- A DOUBLE HEADLINER evening with tributes to Bob Seger and Tom Petty at Aztec Shawnee Theater at Aztec Shawnee Theater[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Zion Isaiah and Anthony Orange with Freefoolish at Northside Social[Lawrence] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Ariel Posen at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Goldpine & The Burney Sisters @ Knuckleheads at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The John Cougar Project & The Steve Miller Experience at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- PANTHER CREEK RUNNERS / COMPATI at Hillsiders[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Mary Kate Farmer Live at Guitars & Cadillacs! at Guitars and Cadillacs KC[Kansas City] [8:30 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Love Boat Sat. Nov 15 ft. Sheppa & Friends at The Ship[Kansas City] [9:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Sungrave // Creaturess // Drifter at Replay Lounge at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [10:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
Sunday, Nov 16, 2025
- 1313 Mockingbird Lane Presents: Entheos at The Bottleneck at The Bottleneck[Lawrence] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Sycamore with Jamie Vermillion at Northside Social[Lawrence] [6:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Varieté (1925) with live accompaniment by Joshua Miner! at Liberty Hall[Lawrence] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- The Toxhards at Lucia at Lucia[Lawrence] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Rare DM at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Rare DM, Redder Moon, Janet Azimuth at MiniBar[Kansas City] [7:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
- Ben Kweller Cover the Mirrors Tour at Knuckleheads Kansas City[Kansas City] [8:00 PM] Tickets
- Mantisgrove // Hotel Leo // Corners of the Sky at Replay Lounge[Lawrence] [10:00 PM] Tickets via NE KS Showlist
Venues book up fast this weekend—prioritize Blue October tonight if you’re in KC. For the latest drops or changes, hit up neks.show. What’s your first pick?
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