Kansas

Getting to see Kansas live is something I knew I had to do. For years they churned out the hits, one after the other. Seeing them live was a chance to hear all those songs at the same time. I bought tickets to see them play a local arena and was then shocked to find out the show sold out almost immediately. This only made me more excited to see such a legendary band perform live.

When I arrived, sure enough, it was a packed house and nearly every seat was filled. I was glad I bought my tickets early because I had really good seats. A few opening bands played, none of which could hold a candle to the band we were all there to see, Kansas.

When the sound check finished, the band took the stage and a series of multi-color spotlights hit the band. As soon as David Ragsdale hit the violin, the show was on. The band had a rock star presence and was so loud they were shaking the building. They played for nearly an hour, never pausing to even talk to the audience. Then suddenly, they stopped and left the stage. All that was left was the Encore. Then they can back on stage to an ovation and played “Carry On Wayward Son” and Dust In the Wind”. It was a memorable night. I can’t recommend seeing the band enough.

Kansas, the American rockers had been a consistent frequenter of the charts with their classic sounding material during the 70's and 80's. Now forty years on, the band continues to tour globally to their devoted fan base and although the lineup has changed substantially over the years, the group still work well as a unit.

Despite their age, they perform with the energy and purpose of a band half their age and continuously involve the crowd throughout the show. They are known to perform a set of greatest hits now which the audience adores and cheers along for throughout the evening, classics such as 'Point of Know Return' and 'Song for America' sound fantastic and they are performed with an expert level of precision.

Their highest charting single 'Dust In The Wind' is placed mid-set and evokes a huge singalong from the baying crowds. The veteran rockers seem invigorated by the cheers and applause and really give their all to the performance of finale of 'Portrait (He Knew)'. Kansas proves again and again their quality as a rock outfit and the reason why they enjoyed such success in their heyday.

It was 1976; my first year out of college & teaching school in Waco, TX. My landlords living next door had taken in their grandson who was a bit of rebel. They asked if he could come over and visit us because he had heard the music we were playing (loud) & had some albums he wanted to share with us. That's how I found out about KANSAS & I was blown away! Soon we heard on the super rock station KZEW "The Zoo" that Jethro Tull was coming to Dallas Memorial with the "new" band Kansas opening for them. We got tickets & with the rockin'grandson in tow, we had an eye & ear opening experience. I had been a music major for 2 yrs in college & knew great musicianship. I couldn't believe the sounds & the syncopations so precise and hammering a beat that had us wanting Kansas to never stop playing. Jethro Tull was wonderful too as I was a flute player but the sounds of Kansas never left me. I plan on making this 50th anniversary show in Dallas! (Wonder what happened to that lil rebel grandson? Maybe I'll see him there!)

These guys were into the music. It was evident as they played 2 1/2 hours of nonstop hit after hit. The first 45 or so minutes the group played unplugged and acoustic.......Excellent! The sound was right on and the harmonies were great! The rest of the show was hard rocking with some of their earlier hits and some of their new songs that are bound to be hits. These guys have not lost their touch even with new keyboardist David Manion and lead/rhythm guitarist Zak Rizvi. In fact these guys have given some new found life to the band. My wife and I enjoyed the show immensely and afterwards really got a surprise when we found out the band was staying in the same hotel as us. David and Zak spent about an hour with us in the hotel bar talking about the concert and about life on the road. Down to earth guys that didnt mind engaging with some of their long-time fans one on one. This made for an all around superb evening. I will go see them again....and so should you all.

The show was epic much more because there were a 40 years waiting for them to play here. The new lineup is consistent, but the show was a little fast and short. Most of the songs we were expecting to be played were indeed, but on a hour and half show. This is probabky due to the gig's rules not tech limitstions, but the sound could be louder. The shows I recently watched had much louder and still clear sound. But to have at least 2 guys from the original band along with good replacement for the ones that left or retired was fantastic. I was thinking I wouldn't see them playing here anymore. And I was lucky to be on a show 14 years ago in Atlanta. But most of the audience yesterday didn't have the chance I had.

Kansas was kick-ANSAS!

That lead’s voice is still so powerful and the collective musicianship was beautiful. Shame that today’s artists hardly come close…

There was a part when they played this poignant song dedicated to the men and women of the armed forces. When the song came to its end, the drummer remained and tapped a military rhythm while a senior soldier in uniform stood on stage, holding a tri-folded Old Glory. A soldier in the audience stood up to give a resplendent salute. It was touching.

There's not a bad seat at The Wiltern. The staff was very accommodating and polite. Also, VIP bar and tapas was good, although the drinks were overpriced.

it was clear from the start...Kansas still has the fire...with the new vocalist and additional guitar player they havnt lost a step.while it can be said I would of liked a lot more rare cuts played they shined on whats on my mind and miracles out of nowhere,as well as with this heart andrefugee from the new prelude implicit release.the new guitarist had plenty of opportunity to shred his guitar very impressively.overall a great show from soon to be hall of famers Kansas.......

Kansas put out some energy, the crowd received it and Kansas responded by playing progressive. The fans were rewarded and well feelings were mutual.
Saw them just about 2 years ago and they were very impressive too at the State Theatre in Kalamazoo. They were on point and sounded like studio versions
but at the same venue here the hard working gents put forth extra effort.
Kansas is a good band. In 1978 I saw them for the first time and I hope to see them again. Good job.

I worked at Grandmother’s in Topeka, Ks. and Kansas played there quite often. Those were the good old days when everyone packed in to hear them play. They always put on such incredible concerts and we Kansans enjoyed them so very much. I live in Florida now and when I tell people I worked where they played sometimes I don’t think they believe me. The building is now a restaurant called Blind Tiger and they have some memories of Kansas behind glass. Great memories.....

Hello, After seeing Kansas last night at the San Jose civic I would have to say they are definitely keeping up with the Kansas tradition of putting on a quality show even though the small venue was far from sold out. With that said, I have been to many concerts in my life and seen Kansas many times over the years and last nights concert was the shortest I have ever seen! Started at 8:10 and ended at 9:45, 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Allen