Kansas City concerts Jan. 9-15: Cody Johnson, Lanco, The Greeting Committee

The country-pop band Lanco takes a confrontational tone on its 2019 stomp-and-shout anthem, “Rival.” Vocalist Brandon Lancaster insists that he’s part of “a movement, a revival, and if you ain’t with me you’re the rival.” He and his bandmates in the image-conscious quintet have a right to feel defensive. The band’s incorporation of elements of classic rock and soul-inflected pop on melodic hits like “Long Live Tonight” and “Greatest Love Story” inspired harsh backlash from critics of the Nashville-based group. 913-451-0444. Tickets are $20 through oneblocksouthkc.com.

George Strait, 67, will perform two concerts at the Sprint Center later this month. The country star known by legions of fans as King George popularized a form of traditional Texas honky-tonk that is echoed by 32-year-old Cody Johnson. Songs like “Nothin’ on You” may be a notch or two louder than Strait hits like “Amarillo by Morning,” but Johnson’s repertoire is faithful to the no-nonsense sensibility of his primary inspiration. 816-442-6100. Tickets are $29-$104 through silversteineyecentersarena.com.

The Greeting Committee shone in an exceptionally persuasive coming-out party at the Boulevardia festival last summer. Inspired by the frenetic cheerleading of front person Addie Sartino, more than a thousand revelers of all ages joined the Kansas City area group’s core fan base of high school students in singing along with jaunty indie-pop songs like “Pull It Together” and “Hands Down.” This headlining show promises to be even more momentous. With Samia. 816-753-8665. Tickets are $20 through uptowntheater.com.

The party in Kansas City’s Valentine neighborhood won’t end after The Greeting Committee plays its final song at the Uptown. Energetic music lovers with eclectic ears will move next door to catch Jantsen’s late show at the Encore. Although the Boulder-based producer of electronic dance music specializes in glitchy synthetic beats that are far removed from the pop orientation of The Greeting Committee, both acts share a commitment to instigating a devil-may-care form of fun. 816-753-8665. Tickets are $20 through uptowntheater.com.

The six-word bio for the Chicago trio Retirement Party – “party rockers from the Windy City” – was almost certainly composed with a smirk. The gleefully amateurish band of vocalist Avery Springer, bassist Eddy Rodriguez and drummer James Ringness makes a racket, but its goofy songs are pessimistic. Springer insists, “I think a plague is going to kill me because my body cannot fight off all the bugs that are in me … I’m pretty good at getting sick” on “That’s How People Die.” With The Cavves and Oxford Remedy. 816-800-4699. Tickets are $8 through therinokc.com.

Like a sadder version of Fall Out Boy or a noisier variation of the Jonas Brothers, Sleeping with Sirens combines the most immediately appealing elements of emo-rock and pop. The band from Orlando became a mainstay of the mall-punk scene after the release of its 2010 debut album. Although the genre’s popularity has faded, Sleeping with Sirens’ 2019 single “Leave It All Behind” is just as potent as angst-ridden classics like “If You Can’t Hang.” With Set It Off, Belmont and Point North. 785-842-1390. Tickets are $29.50 through thegranada.com.

French jazz pianist Tony Tixier isn’t a stranger to Kansas City. Although he and Kansas City jazz trumpeter Hermon Mehari were raised on different continents, the men struck up a fruitful friendship. Tixier contributed to “Our Journey,” the 2014 album by Mehari’s group, Diverse. Two members of Diverse – bassist Ben Leifer and drummer Ryan J. Lee – will accompany Tixier during his return to the Blue Room. The weekly Monday jam session will follow Tixier’s set. 816-474-8463. americanjazzmuseum.org. Free.

Blues and country run neck and neck for the ignominious title of the most conservative form of popular music. Not only are innovations treated with deep skepticism, performers of each style are expected to conform to societal norms. The punk rock roots and bisexual orientation of the New Orleans-based Jason Ricci distinguishes the supremely confident blues harmonica master from his peers. On the title on his 2019 album, “My Chops Are Rolling,” Ricci boasts that “you could drop me off anywhere … and I’m going to be all kinds of OK.” 816-483-1456. Tickets are $10 through knuckleheadskc.com.

This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Kansas City concerts Jan. 9-15: Cody Johnson, Lanco, The Greeting Committee."