KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Music fans from across northeast Kansas may want to start looking west—or rather, east down I-70—as the Kansas City metro prepares for a packed final week of August featuring everything from classic rock and country to alternative rock and hip-hop.
Between Monday, Aug. 24, and Monday, Aug. 31, some of the biggest venues in the metro will host a remarkably diverse lineup of touring artists, culminating with pop star Benson Boone at T-Mobile Center.
For Topeka-area music fans, most of the shows are roughly an hour away, making the week an unusually strong opportunity for a quick concert road trip.
Santana and The Doobie Brothers
One of the biggest shows of the week arrives Wednesday, Aug. 26, when Santana and The Doobie Brothers bring the Oneness Tour 2026 to Morton Amphitheater.
The concert is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Santana’s official tour calendar confirms the Kansas City-area stop, pairing Carlos Santana and his band with The Doobie Brothers for the show.
The concert is part of a particularly busy stretch for the new Riverside amphitheater. Chicago and Styx are scheduled there Tuesday night, immediately before Santana, while $uicideboy$ will take over the venue Sunday.
Country takes over Thursday
Country fans have two very different options Thursday, Aug. 27.
Vince Gill is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. performance at The Midland Theatre in downtown Kansas City.
Meanwhile, George Birge will close out the 2026 Coors Light Hot Country Nights season at KC Live! in the Power & Light District.
That show comes with an added bonus: general admission is free.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with live music beginning at 7 p.m. Highway Home is scheduled as the special guest. The venue says admission remains subject to capacity.
Sunday brings two completely different shows
Sunday, Aug. 30, may offer the week’s biggest contrast.
O.A.R. and Gavin DeGraw will perform at Starlight Theatre, with KT Tunstall also appearing on the bill. The outdoor show is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Across the metro that same evening, $uicideboy$ will bring the Grey Day Tour 2026 to Morton Amphitheater.
That concert, featuring Destroy Lonely and additional performers, is also scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The result is two dramatically different choices for Kansas City concertgoers on the same Sunday night.
Benson Boone closes out August
The week ends with one of today’s biggest young pop stars.
Benson Boone is scheduled to bring his Wanted Man Tour to T-Mobile Center on Monday, Aug. 31.
The Kansas City date follows Boone’s sold-out global American Heart Tour and is part of his newly announced 2026 U.S. tour.
The show is scheduled for 8 p.m. according to the current Kansas City concert calendar.
And it doesn’t slow down in September
Anyone who can’t make this week’s shows won’t have to wait long for another major concert.
Jack Johnson is scheduled at Morton Amphitheater on Sept. 1, followed by Wu-Tang Clan on Sept. 2. Later in September, Kansas City is scheduled to host acts including Mötley Crüe, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson, Zac Brown Band, Billy Idol, Eric Clapton, Teddy Swims, Kacey Musgraves and Pitbull.
For Topeka music fans accustomed to driving east for major tours, the final days of August offer an unusually concentrated stretch: classic rock legends, country stars, alternative favorites, hip-hop and one of pop’s fastest-rising headliners—all within about a week.
Upcoming highlights
- Aug. 25: Chicago & Styx — Morton Amphitheater
- Aug. 26: Santana & The Doobie Brothers — Morton Amphitheater
- Aug. 27: Vince Gill — The Midland Theatre
- Aug. 27: George Birge — KC Live!
- Aug. 30: O.A.R., Gavin DeGraw & KT Tunstall — Starlight Theatre
- Aug. 30: $uicideboy$ — Morton Amphitheater
- Aug. 31: Benson Boone — T-Mobile Center
Concert dates and times are subject to change. Fans should verify show details and ticket availability with the venue before traveling.
