Midland Theatre Hosts Kansas on Its 50th Anniversary Tour in Kansas City
It was an extraordinary evening for each and everyone on hand at The Midland Theatre in downtown Kansas City, MO on July 27, 2023 as legendary rock band Kansas brought its 50th anniversary tour to town. The trek was dubbed “Another Fork in the Road” after its 3-disc compilation album recently released in commemoration. Originating in Topeka, KS—just west down I-70 less than an hour away—the band is one that we are all proud here to call our own. And, with playing in its own backyard during such a monumental milestone, the group had a major surprise in store for us.
Kansas kicked it off with “Belexes” from its eponymous album. The setlist for the night and the tour differs a bit from the usual with the inclusion of that song and several others rarely played on stage in recent years—tunes such as “Icarus II,” “A Glimpse of Home,” “The Pinnacle,” “Bells of Saint James” and “Throwing Mountains.” On stage were founding member Rich Williams (guitar) and classic member Billy Greer (bass) along with Ronnie Platt (lead singer/keyboards), Tom Brislin (keyboards), Joe Deninzon (violin) and Eric Holmquist (drums). Founding member Phil Ehart (drums) who is recovering from a sprained arm joined the band for the second half of the show.
The enduring progressive sounds of Kansas had the crowd roaring throughout the show’s entirety. Songs such as “Play the Game Tonight” and “Fight Fire With Fire” were a total thrill ride to hear live, as well as iconic tunes like “Point of Know Return” and “Dust in the Wind.” As if the night was not exciting enough, that major surprise lit the crowd on fire—founding members Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope made a special guest appearance to play “Hold On” with the band. Both later returned for the encore as well to perform the ever-emblematic “Carry On Wayward Son.”
Setlist for Kansas at Midland Theatre in Kansas City on July 27, 2023:
“Belexes,” “Point of Know Return,” “Play the Game Tonight,” “Fight Fire With Fire,” “Icarus – Borne on Wings of Steel,” “Icarus II,” “A Glimpse of Home,” “The Pinnacle,” “Bells of Saint James,” “Throwing Mountains,” “People of the South Wind” (acoustic), “Dust in the Wind” (acoustic), “Reason to Be” (acoustic), “Lonely Wind” (acoustic), “Song for America,” Can I Tell You,” “Hold On” (with Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope), “Down the Road” (dedicated to Robby Steinhardt), “The Wall” and “Miracles Out of Nowhere”; Encore – “Carry On Wayward Son” (with Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope)
