Kansas City concerts Jan. 16-22: Gatlin Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Wale

Bluegrass bands have created a cottage industry of crafting novel covers of classic rock and rap hits. The HillBenders, a scruffy group from Springfield, Missouri, shoved its way to the forefront of the movement with a banjo-driven version of The Who’s “Tommy” album in 2015. The HillBenders’ latest concept is WhoGrass, billed as “a chronological journey of The Who’s legendary catalog.” Rather than interpreting bluegrass standards, consequently, the HillBenders give The Who favorites like “Pinball Wizard” rustic makeovers. With Lily B Moonflower. 816-483-1456. Tickets are $15 through knuckleheadskc.com.

Electronic dance music is ubiquitous in popular culture, but the form was initially met with the sort of widespread skepticism and outright hostility that disco faced in the 1970s. Paul Oakenfold, 56, helped the form gain mass acceptance. “Starry Eyed Surprise,” a crossover hit in 2002, is among the pioneering British producer’s essential tracks that paved the way for the popularity of the style. Local revelers will attempt to observe the game-changing song’s mandate to “dance all night to this DJ.” 816-472-7777. Tickets are $11.50-$60 through voodookc.com.

Along with the Oak Ridge Boys and the Statler Brothers, the Gatlin Brothers defined the pop-country vocal group sound of the 1970s and ’80s. All three ensembles merged Southern gospel with slick Nashville production. Larry Gatlin, 71, and his younger brothers Rudy and Steve continue to revive classics like the 1979 crossover hit “All the Gold in California,” “Night Time Magic” and “She Used to Be Somebody’s Baby.” Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. 816-994-7222. Tickets are $46-$56 through kauffmancenter.org.

Katie Mac recently enrolled at Belmont University, the Nashville institution with the likes of Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood as alumni. Yet rather than specializing in country music, the young woman from Overland Park creates glossy pop in the vein of Lorde, Charlie Puth and Katy Perry. Her unlikely approach is working. The eight songs on her 2019 recording “Tears Like Glitter” have racked up more than 500,000 plays on the streaming service Spotify. With Danny G. 816-326-8281. Tickets are $10 through minibarkc.com.

Neither Colter Wall nor his fans are urban cowboys. The country artist who emphasizes the western component of country-and-western music attracted a decidedly agrarian crowd to the Madrid Theatre last year. For the gruff-voiced Canadian, 24, and many of his admirers, Wall’s unadorned songs about herding cattle and sleeping under the stars are more than romantic abstractions. 785-749-1972. Tickets are $25-$40 through libertyhall.net.

The best jam band of the new millennium is stepping up to the Music Hall after filling the Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland with ardent fans last year. Led by the guitar-slinging husband-and-wife team of Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, the 12-member ensemble fires on all cylinders. Tedeschi’s deeply soulful vocals resonate on original compositions like “Midnight in Harlem” and “Hard Case.” With John Moreland. 800-653-8000. Tickets are $39.50-$177 through ticketmaster.com.

The organ jazz trio revival will be in full effect Tuesday on Grand Avenue. The Danny Embrey Organ Trio will play a variation of the house sound of the Green Lady Lounge at the jazz club, where there’s never a cover charge. Many fans of the form will opt to pay to hear the Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio perform three blocks away at RecordBar. The acclaimed Seattle group has an international following for its faithful rendition of the old-school style. 816-753-5207. Tickets are $15 through therecordbar.com.

Barack Obama placed Wale’s “On Chill” on a playlist of his favorite songs of 2019. Featuring guest vocals from Jeremih, “On Chill” is a silky R&B song. The nod from Obama is a bit of validation for Wale, who’s often viewed as the rap equivalent of a perpetual bridesmaid. The Washington, D.C., rapper born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin in 1984 has collaborated with stars including Lady Gaga, Rick Ross, Rihanna and Lil Wayne but has yet to achieve a career-defining hit. 816-753-8665. Tickets are $25 through uptowntheater.com.

This story was originally published January 14, 2020 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Kansas City concerts Jan. 16-22: Gatlin Brothers, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Wale."