I recently suggested in a piece for KCUR that Boulevardia is “Kansas City’s biggest multigenre music festival.” Music, not beer, is my priority, and much of Boulevardia’s programming isn’t to my taste.

Yet I found plenty to enjoy at Boulevard Brewing Company’s two-day festival. The sound, lighting and layout were superlative. Thoughtful details like free yard games and a small army of volunteers produced a cheerful atmosphere.

The scheduling on five stages forced difficult choices- I missed another chance to see Post Sex Nachos- but I’m very pleased with my experience. I caught at least 15 minutes of more than two dozen sets. Here’s a ranking of my ten* favorite performances.

1. Cimafunk

Nonplussed by Cimafunk’s recordings, I harbored low expectations for the band. What a stunning surprise! Every member of the Afro-Cuban artist’s electrifying ensemble possessed as much charisma as their leader. Cimafunk is the best show band I’ve encountered this millennium.

2. Steddy P

I’ve known the man who raps as Steddy P for 15 years. Just as our relationship has had its ups and downs, his set at Boulevardia was a study in extremes. The creative entertainer overcame sound issues to win over everyone present.

3. Big Freedia

Nice for what! My face still hurts from broadly smiling throughout Big Freedia’s over-the-top spectacle.

4. The Salvation Choir

The Salvation Choir, my favorite band in Kansas City, were relatively subdued.

5. Peter Schlamb’s Electric Tinks

Peter Shlamb, arguably Kansas City’s most exciting musician, was joined by saxophonist Matt Otto, keyboardist Matt Villinger and drummer Ryan J. Lee.

6. The Beths

The Beths were the festival’s primary draw for many of my friends and associates. The New Zealand band’s straightforward indie-rock isn’t my thing, but the quartet’s endearingly goofy banter won me over.

7. Kat King

The fizzy indie-pop of Kansas City’s Kat King is radio-ready.

8. The Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra

Pablo Sanhueza’s Kansas City Latin Jazz Orchestra thrived in direct sunlight.

9. Katy Guillen & The Drive

Katy Guillen & The Drive’s roots-rock exemplifies the Boulevardia aesthetic.

10. Grand Marquis

I’ve been taking Kansas City’s Grand Marquis for granted. The longstanding bar band plays hearty jump blues with heaping helpings of Dixieland and vintage soul on the side.

*Where’s Jason Isbell? Isbell is the equal of John Mellencamp, Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen in their primes. Yet unwilling to tear myself away from Cimafunk’s set, I didn’t secure a spot at the front for Friday’s headliner. Even after pushing my way into the middle of the throng, I couldn’t escape the intolerable bellowing of people flush with ignorant oil. Frustrated, I headed home thirty minutes into Isbell’s set.

William Brownlee

October 20, 2021

The Top Kansas City Albums and EPs of 2021

William Brownlee

October 20, 2021

Kansas City is a small town. Even so, my version of Kansas City is vastly different from the place many of my music-minded peers call home. Rankings of 55 of my favorite recordings released by artists from the Kansas City area during the first 42 weeks of 2021 follow. A handful of highly praised albums didn’t make the cut. The omissions aren't personal. I simply prefer the titles listed below. Additionally, several albums by prominent locally based musicians are slated for release in the final weeks of 2021.

The Top 25 Kansas City Albums of 2021

1. Behzod Abduraimov- Debussy Chopin Mussorgsky

My review.

2. Pat Metheny- Road to the Sun

My review.

3. Steddy P- SOS: Toxic

4. Mac Lethal- Winter Heartbreak II

My review.

5. Pat Metheny- Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)

My review.

6. Blackstarkids- Puppies Forever

7. Flooding- Flooding