Sounds Good: Drive By Truckers & Old 97s @ Crossroads KC, Ashes to immortality @ Jazzhaus

With less than two weeks until Wakarusa kicks off down on scenic Mulberry Mountain in Arkansas, tickets are getting scarce.

Will they actually sell out?  No, I doubt it.  But many of the more desirable camping areas are at capacity, and the way it works at Waka is that you purchase your camping spot separately from your ticket.

My point is, get your tickets now!  Here are the bands I’m most excited to see:

Snoop Lion, Son Volt, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Allen Stone, Calexico, Dispatch, Bombino, Moon Taxi, Yonder Mountain String Band, to name but a few.

This is going to be a festival where I get to see lots of bands I’ve never seen before, which is always fun.  And I’ll be sending in tales from the road, so stay tuned.

Until then, here’s a couple things to keep you occupied…

Saturday, May 25th

Drive by Truckers, Old 97s at Crossroads KC

It’s that time of year again when outdoor concerts are popping up left and right.  This one should be fun if you’re into the whole roots, alt-country thing.  The bill features a couple of truly veteran acts that generally tour their asses off.  DBT is more of the southern rock thing, while the 97s are more in the pop category, but with plenty of that Texas twang.  And this is one of only two shows these guys are playing together this summer, so take note.

Ashes to Immortality at the Jazzhaus in Lawrence

This Lawrence bluegrass-rock outfit has been together for at least a few years now, but I remember seeing them in their infancy and just thinking, “Man, that singer has a helluva voice.”  Since then, the band has tightened up their show and played with a bunch of bigger acts, like when they opened for Split Lip Rayfield on New Years Eve.  Always a good time.