Popular band will open emotional tribute tour at treasured Kansas City venue
Considering The Mavericks’ long association with Knuckleheads, it’s makes sense that the country-rock band with a Latin flavor will kick off its The Music Lives on Tour at the treasured Kansas City concert venue.
The Grammy-winning band announced its 28-stop tour earlier this week as a way to continue the legacy of Raul Malo, its longtime frontman who died of cancer in December at the age of 60. Rather than replace Malo, the band will add guest vocalists James Otto and Emily West for this tour.
The Mavericks will return to the stage at 8 p.m. July 17 and 18 at Knuckleheads (the only tour venue with more than one show) before going to St. Louis on July 23 and Des Moines on July 24. The tour runs through Nov. 14.
The band had canceled all their concerts since last summer, including dates at Knuckleheads in October, because of Malo’s illness. Their show with Dwight Yoakam on May 31 at the Ozarks Amphitheater in Camdenton, Missouri, was one of their final dates.
Knuckleheads has been an annual stop for The Mavericks — with the exceptions of 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year because of Malo’s illness — dating to 2012. In 2016, they performed there in April and again on New Year’s Eve.
“They like it here,” said Frank Hicks, Knuckleheads’ founder and owner. “They just feel at home. The band and everybody are just welcomed so much.”
Malo also had frequently brought his solo act to Knuckleheads after the band split in 2004 before reuniting eight years later.
Hicks, who opened the saloon in the East Bottoms in 2001, told a story from two or three years ago about the relationship between The Mavericks and their Kansas City fans. He said Malo arrived at Knuckleheads at about 10 a.m. one day to do a sound check for the band’s performance that night.
“People were sitting out there with umbrellas and stuff,” Hicks said. “He goes, ‘What are those people doing out there?’ I said, ‘Waiting to see you.’ He goes, ‘No, unh uh.’ I said, ‘Really.’ He says, ‘10 o’clock in the morning? We don’t even start until 8.’ I say, ‘Yeah, they’re 10 hours early, but they’re here.’”
Malo proceeded to deliver water to the faithful fans.
“He says, ‘You guys really here to see The Mavericks?’ They said, ‘Yeah.’ He goes, ‘Man, I’m not even sure I’d stay this long to see Jesus.’”
Knuckleheads honored Malo with a celebration of his life Dec. 30 and with the installation of a mural on the building’s front earlier this year. The singer clearly also had a deep affection for the club, which quotes him on its website:
“When I try to tell someone about what Knuckleheads is like, I can’t. I find it easier to buy them an airline ticket, a hotel room and let them come see for themselves.”
He evidently did just that for family members. In 2014, his parents attended both the band’s shows at Knuckleheads, and he called his two sons to join him onstage for two numbers.
Now two other artists, Otto and West, will try to fill the musical void Malo left. Both made memorable appearances during tribute shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium just days before Malo’s death.
The Mavericks, who formed in 1989 in Miami, announced the 2026 tour in a message to fans on social media.
“We know that we can’t replace Raul, but we can still, in bold spirit, continue to play this joyous music and celebrate The Mavericks legacy together,” the message said. “We are all wanting to find a way to heal and in the best way we know how to. Music is the medicine.”
Tickets officially will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, May 8. Ranging from $48.50 to $75 for July 17 and 18, they’re are almost certain to sell out quickly. Hicks said more than 850 were sold Wednesday on the first day of presales, adding that 1,300 will be available for each night.
