Australian trio sells out Kansas City show: ‘Waiting a long time to play here’
It only took two shows for the new Morton Amphitheater to reach a sellout crowd, and the venue can thank house trio Rüfüs Du Sol for packing 16,000 fans into the Riverside venue Wednesday, June 10.
The beloved group from Australia, consisting of Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt, brought their 2026 North American tour to Riverside, marking their first time playing in the Kansas City area. It was also a special show for Hunt, who said his fiancée’s family moved to the area a couple of years ago and that they’re in the crowd watching him play.
“We’ve been waiting a long time to play here, and we’re happy to be here,” Hunt said.
June 10’s show was the third of their tour, after two nights at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington. Little was known about what they’d play, but many fans in attendances weren’t there to hear a specific song, but rather to take in the positive atmosphere and good vibes the band promotes.
A wide variety of fans packed the new venue for the festival favorites. Hints of the festival feelings found at larger, week-long events like Dancefestopia in LaCygne, Kansas, were spotted in the concourse, as people enjoyed playing cornhole or hanging out in the lawn under the crisp 80 degree weather.
Longtime fan Nick Clark, who moved to Kansas City a few years ago and was wearing a Rüfüs Du Sol football jersey purchased at a previous show, said the band was one of those that he remembers hearing years ago, resonating with him instantly.
Usually EDM and house bands aren’t singing; they’re letting their soundboards do the talking. The trio differs in that they’re playing their instruments live. The drums and bass from Hunt and the keyboard from George overpowered Lindqvist’s vocals at times, but they all work in harmony as they seamlessly transition from one song to the next without missing a beat.
The look was just as important as the sound, and as soon as the three dressed in all black, flowing linen clothing appeared on stage, they immediately took control and never let go. They picked the right venue, since as the sun was beginning to set right as they began playing.
Bouncing from songs like “Inhale,” “Brighter,” “Lately” and “Breathe,” they gave fans the iconic buildups and bass drop breakdowns they’d associate with house music. It all plays a role in Clark’s fandom, and it’s why he said he’ll always travel to see them live, as long as they’re within a 300 mile radius.
“The world’s a pretty s----- place, and it just brings a lot of peace to me,” Clark said. “It’s my happy place, and I look for it wherever I can get it.”
‘Kansas City, there’s no place I’d rather be’
Bringing peace is key to Rüfüs Du Sol’s music, as the fans found it easy to let go of any stress they may have been holding onto. Inclusivity is also a big piece of EDM and rave culture, and it’s also what drew Shrikanth Parthasarathy to Kansas City on his birthday.
Parthasarathy traveled from St. Louis with a friend to see the band live again. He heard of them two years ago and was able to see them in Tulum in Mexico six months ago. He couldn’t pass up another chance, this time a lot closer to where he lives.
“Their music just draws in a wide net of people,” Parthasarathy said.
The trio invites fans to display their emotions, since many of their songs’ lyrical content is centered on loving a significant other or loving each other. One of their songs, “No Place,” lays it out very simply : There’s no place they’d rather be than with the love of their lives.
The love was spread with this lyric change: “Kansas City, there’s no place I’d rather be.”
Hidden behind the laser light displays that bounced off the amphitheater’s ceiling, the multiple confetti blasts set up in the lower sections of the crowd, the simplistic stage set up and the sunglasses at night was a band that was very appreciative of the fanbase they’ve created over 16 years.
“To get to play in these cities, we owe it to you beautiful people,” Lindqvist said. “For you to be here tonight is the biggest support of all.”
What songs did Rüfüs Du Sol play in Kansas City
Rüfüs Du Sol played 30 songs during their first show in Kansas City:
- “Inhale”
- “Brighter”
- “Lately”
- “Breathe”
- “You Were Right”
- “Sundream”
- “Make It Happen”
- “On My Knees”
- “In the Moment”
- “Pressure”
- “Desert Night”
- “New Sky”
- “Take Me”
- “The Life”
- “Levitating”
- “Next to Me”
- “Surrender”
- “Exhale”
- “Fire/Desire”
- “Underwater”
- “Eyes”
- “Alive”
- “Always”
- “Treat You Better”
- “Innerbloom”
- “Break My Love”
- “No Place”
- “Music is Better”
- “Be With You”
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 5:45 PM.
