Live Review: YEEHAW! with Caleb Hearon, Waxahatchee, Snocaps, Kevin Morby, The Freedom Affair, and more at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City, 10/23/26

The fifth annual YEEHAW! variety show was a sold-out, raucous affair. Local hero and master of ceremonies Caleb Hearon proved the money raised was for an exceptional cause. “The sickest, baddest, most powerful tenant union in the whole fucking country. And when I tell you that I go other places, and talk about being from Kansas City, one of the first things that they say to me is ‘your guys’ tenant union is fucking badass.'”

The KC Tenants Union, born in 2019, has accomplished major positive change in the area, with its mission to provide safe, accessible, and affordable housing for those in need in and around the Kansas City area. And it met its mark: with ticket and merch sales, along with straight up donations, the 2026 YEEHAW! raised a whopping $142,000, exceeding last year’s haul by nearly 100K. And it’s only going to grow in the future.

With a combination of music, comedy, and assorted extras, the crowd was entertained every single minute. As MC, Hearon would frequent the stage between acts, throwing out some hilarious stand-up. He can spin a yarn and get you to belly laugh whether you’re ready or not. Drag Queen (or Drag Super Star, according to her website) Trixie Mattel stole the spotlight with humor, singing, and a spirit that pulled everyone up. Hilarious and multitalented, she was a highlight.

The Freedom Affair is a powerhouse KC-based soul and R&B contingent headed up by three female singers. Imagine seeing The Supremes at their prime a few feet away, and you’ll get the drift. After a rousing set of emotionally charged songs, the band wrapped with a soulful cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” Kevin Morby took to the stage for a couple tunes including his song about the city and the Midwest, “Javelin,” along with “Beautiful Strangers.” The Freedom Affair’s band and singers backed him, creating wonderful versions of these now classic songs.

Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee brought her latest collaboration called Snocaps, an indie rock supergroup, including her sister Allison on vocals and guitar, bassist and producer Brad Cook, and guitarist MJ Lenderman. Somewhat of a spinoff of Waxahatchee and the sisters’ previous band, Swearin,’ they played a solid set of songs from their 2025 debut album including “Coast,” “Heathcliff,” “Cherry Hard Candy,” and “You in Rehab” – all great songs.

Katie would play only one song (and it was a doozy). For the closing performance, she covered Dolly’s “I Can See the Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” with a little help from The Freedom Affair. Local tenants who have profited from the good works of the union, crowded the stage to join in the love, dancing and singing at the tops of their lungs. It was an uplifting and transcendent experience.

As the beneficiary of this incredible night, the KC Tenants Union can bask in the glow of many future YEEHAW! events, with monies surely increasing exponentially over the next few years. For more information on how you can help, visit the Tenant’s website.