Live Review: Boulevardia Music Festival in Kansas City, June 16, 2023 (Day 1)

As the world recovers from the stain of the pandemic, live music has provided therapy for music fans and a rise-from-the-ashes rebirth for bands. And there’s no better way to soak in the tunes than attending summer music fests around the globe. One of those fests, the still-maturing Boulevardia Music Fest in Kansas City, is celebrating its eighth year. Held in and around the Crown Center/Union Station area in downtown KC, the fest has steadily grown over the past decade (’20 and ’21 were no-gos due to Covid).

Sponsored by the good folks at KC’s own Boulevard Brewing Company, this year’s lineup includes Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, The War and Treaty, The Beths, Surfaces, Big Freedia, and many more. On this first night of the fest, Kansas City’s own Kat King opened the festivities with their indie popness including the new single “Baby Talk.” King has been a local fixture, releasing her debut EP at the age of 14. Since then, she’s released singles, EPs, and one full-length album. Check out “Bright-Eyed” and buy some music!

Also hailing from KC, Katy Guillen & The Drive put on a helluva show. The core of the indie roots rock band consists of Katy Guillen on guitar and vocals, and Stephanie Williams on drums. The bluesy duo has made some waves in recent years, releasing their first full-length album Another One Gained in 2022 to critical and commercial acclaim. It is an exceptionally well-done album. Check out “Bottom Of Your Belly” and see this band live.

Straight outta CoMo (Columbia, MO), Post Sex Nachos added some good rocking fun to the evening. Originally a trio with Sammy Elfanbaum handling vocals/guitar/synth, Chase Mueller on bass/backup vocals, and Hunter Pendleton on drums, the band has added guitarist Mitch Broddon and Kevin Jerez on synth/keys. They recently released the EP Keep Moving, which continues to see the group grow musically, morphing from recent college grads to full-fledged makers of solid music. Last year’s Your Second Favorite Boy Band made fans and critics sit up and take notice. Experience the fullness of PSN in their video “Holdin’ on to You.”

Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, The Beths have made quite a mark on the indie rock scene. Consisting of singer and guitarist Elizabeth Stokes, guitarist Jonathan Pearce, bassist Benjamin Sinclair, and drummer Tristan Deck, the band is touring in support of their third LP Expert In A Dying Field. Sticking with the Carpark record label for all three albums, the foursome fires on all cylinders with their own style of music. Perfecting their sound with a pop/rock approach, the guitar-heavy songs are complemented with golden harmonies from every member. Stokes’ lithe voice paired with her New Zealand accent shines through in many tunes.

The opening salvo was “Future Me Hates Me” from the 2020 album of the same name. In it, she sings of never wanting to love again, but adding, “There’s something about you / I wanna risk going through.” Also on the set list was the new single, “Watching The Credits,” another apt creation with an abundance of singalong lines. Closer “Expert In A Dying Field” is a near-perfect pop song with the usual Beths’ heart and grit. This is a great band.

Headliners Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit continue to impress, promoting the brand new Weathervanes album. This is Isbell’s seventh studio release (fifth with the 400 Unit) since leaving the Drive-By Truckers in 2007. Most know of his journey through alcoholism and drugs in his early days, the intervention from friends, and subsequent stint in rehab. Isbell credits his then-girlfriend and current wife Amanda Shires for saving his life. Having stated all that, the artist has evolved in so many ways since that era of his life more than a decade ago. Each album he releases garners more positive praise from fans and critics alike. Weathervanes is purported to be his “best yet.” No arguments here.

As festival headliners go, Isbell and his 400 Unit are at the top. The 44-year-old sings and writes with the sincerity and compassion of a poet and fans connect with the authenticity of his life experiences. The band nearly played out the new record, opening with the latest single “Save The World,” a plea to whomever will listen to, “Swear you’ll save the world when I lose my grip / Tell me you’re in control / Swear you’ll save the world when I start to slip / ‘Cause you’ll be the first to know.” The song is an attempt, like much of his work, to raise awareness on important societal issues. This one targets America’s gun problem.

Three songs were plucked from his monumental Southeastern album from ten years ago, and the first release after rehab. Although it is considered his benchmark, each of Isbell’s new releases amasses more praise. His trademark redemption song “Cover Me Up” tugs at the heartstrings and always prompts the crowd to erupt after the line, “I sobered up, I swore off that stuff / Forever this time.” Before the 2020 general election, Isbell promised fans that if Georgia went blue, he would do an album of covers on Georgia-related music. Well, you know the rest. Soon came the Georgia Blue album with Sadler Vaden singing lead on (his former band) Drivin N Cryin‘s “Honeysuckle Blue.” It’s a gem, and Vaden performed it live on this night.

If you haven’t watched the recent HBO Music Box episode Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed, Do yourself a favor. It’s an insider’s look at the making of his 2020 album Reunions and the genius that goes in to such a project. As Isbell continues to evolve and recover, he is gaining traction as one of the best Americana, alt-country acts around. His music is wonderful, the live show even better.

Hats off to Boulevardia for hosting quite a fest. Looking forward to next year’s lineup!

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