Kansas City concerts Dec. 12-18: Tech N9ne, Wynonna and Tanya Tucker, Steel Panther

Boston Manor covered the Twenty One Pilots hit “Heathens” for the popular Punk Goes Pop compilation series in 2017. The British band’s interpretation of the pop radio smash raised more questions than it answered. Rather than infusing “Heathens” with irony, Boston Manor’s earnest version of the song integrates pop and punk with admirable finesse. The group’s two studio albums flirt with slick pop, but this show is certain to inspire a messy punk mosh pit. With Microwave, Heart Attack Man and Selfish Things. 816-753-1909. Tickets are $20 through daveysuptown.com.

The radiant glow emanating from the Folly Theater on Friday evening might raise the temperature around 12th and Central streets. Few musical ensembles produce warmer sounds than the quartet led by Pedrito Martinez. The percussionist and vocalist became an in-demand sideman and studio musician soon after leaving Cuba in 1998. Yet Martinez comes into his own when playing fiery music with keyboardist Isaac Delgado Jr., bassist Sebastian Natal and percussionist Jhair Sala. 816-474-4444. Tickets are $20-$55 through follytheater.org.

Bobby Rush isn’t exaggerating when he insists, “I’ve been singing the blues for a long, long time,” on the opening track of his new album, “Sitting on Top of the Blues.” The octogenarian native of Arkansas has thrilled audiences with bawdy down-home blues for more than 50 years. A scene in the Eddie Murphy movie “Dolemite Is My Name” recently introduced Rush’s lewd stage show to a new audience. Rush’s off-color sensibility is reflected by the title of his A Very Merry Booty Christmas presentation. With J.J. Johnson. 816-483-1456. Tickets are $25-$39.50 through knuckleheadskc.com.

Tech N9ne, the outrageous artist known as the Kansas City King, and Patrick Mahomes, the National Football League’s reigning Most Valuable Player, would seem to have little in common aside from their connections to Kansas City. Yet the rapper and the quarterback formed an alliance. The proceeds from Tech N9ne’s Gift of Rap concert will benefit Mahomes’ 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. Fans can expect plenty of sports-related shout-outs and profanity-laced tidings of comfort and joy. With Krizz Kaliko, Mackenzie Nicole, Stevie Stone and King Iso. 816-442-6100. Tickets are $34-$39 through silversteineyecentersarena.com.

Wynonna Judd made a big impression with her cameo at last month’s Thundergong benefit concert. The country star with a magnificent voice returns to the Uptown Theater with her stellar backing band, the Big Noise, for a holiday-themed concert. She’ll be joined by Tanya Tucker, another country legend who is benefiting from an overdue critical reappraisal. Tucker’s new album, “While I’m Livin’,” was co-produced by high-profile admirers Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings. With Kelsey Waldon. 816-753-8665. Tickets are $35-$79 through uptowntheater.com.

Blackalicious is known primarily for one song, but the California duo of Gift of Gab and Chief Xcel can hardly be characterized as a one-hit wonder. Blackalicious’ 1999 “Alphabet Aerobics” attained a second life as an internet meme in recent years. Nothing Blackalicious has recorded since has achieved as much cultural cachet, but the duo is legendary among devotees of the hip-hop underground. Gift of Gab’s dexterous contribution to DJ Shadow’s latest album indicates that his flow remains impeccable. With Approach and Nublvckcity. 816-753-5207. Tickets are $22 through therecordbar.com.

The Death South’s “Sugar & Joy” topped Billboard magazine’s bluegrass albums chart in October, but the Canadian quartet is hardly a conventional pickin’-and-grinnin’ outfit. Rather than playing straightforward renditions of standards like “Rocky Top,” The Dead South looks and sounds like the house band of the rowdiest saloon in Saskatchewan. Front man Nate Hilt’s ragged voice invests songs about barroom brawls, alcoholism and existential despair with knowing authority. With J.D. Wilkes and Legendary Shack Shakers. 816-205-8560. Tickets are $25 through thetrumankc.com.

A group of comedians created a cottage industry of a new form of musical satire with the 1984 heavy-metal parody “This Is Spinal Tap.” Steel Panther is one of the most amusing of the many acts inspired by the success of the cult classic. Steel Panther imbues ridiculous songs like “Death to All but Metal” with witheringly funny antics that mock the posturing of glam-metal bands like Mötley Crüe. With Stitched Up Heart. 816-283-9900. Tickets are $25 through arvestbanktheatre.com.

This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Kansas City concerts Dec. 12-18: Tech N9ne, Wynonna and Tanya Tucker, Steel Panther."