Well, I'm a native, moved away over two decades ago, but have been coming back frequently for family obligations(which translates to mother in assisted living)over the past few years. The live music scene is a lot healthier than when I moved, but it's all different now. Westport(the original kind of old town that many cities seem to have)
used to be the epicenter of night life, and while there's still plenty of activity in the area, it's more of a stupid drunk, meat market,
Jersey Shore kind of mentality thing going on there. The revitalized downtown, with the 'Power and Light' district is where it's really happening, but then again there's plenty of 'folly of youth' silliness that takes place. But then again, I'm too old to have patience for such shenanigans. As far as live venues, it really depends on what kinds of music you persue. In spite of the world recognized Jazz heritage of the city, and there
are quite a number of quality Jazz venues, Blues is a little more popular. There are plenty of jams to go to, in both genres, all over town, all week. In fact, tomorrow night(Thursday)at a place called BB's Lawnside BBQ(on 85th St., just east of Troost, KCMO*)will be one of my favorite Blues events, some people I've played with in the past do two sets, and then time permitting there's a jam. Actually, there's activity there all the time, with other hosted jams through the week, the place is a true roadhouse. Then, there's Knuckleheads. Hoo boy, I can't really explain this joint, you just have to go there, then you'll get it. It's a trip. But when you go there for the first time, part of
that ritual is that you
will get lost. Use your Mapquest, and cross your fingers. It literally is on the wrong side of the tracks. And some other train tracks run right by the place; it is more of a venue complex than just a club, and in better weather when the outside stage with the catwalks is open, passing locomotives make for an interesting set interruption, but that's part of the fun there. There's a small lounge for acoustic-ish stuff, a main room, the aforementioned outside, and now the newly opened concert hall("The Garage")across the street. Part Blues joint, part Honky Tonk, part biker bar, there's really nothing like it anywhere. All sorts of national and international acts perform there, Country, Blues, Americana, Jazz, Rock, Soul, Folk, you name it. Good sign-up blues jams on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, although they sometimes involve all the middle-age white guy blues jam cliches. A great 'alternative' venue(although they have featured a variety of artists)is the Record Bar in mid-town, but you'll have to act fast, the club
may be closing as they have to move, and may not be able to find another location. Another great altrock dive is Davey's Uptown. When the weather gets better, the Crossroads Arts District, with the namesake outdoor mini-'shed' venue, is big fun. My favorite of all of them is Coda, on Broadway. Imagine a club that actually takes care of their music performers, and gives them a proper venue to play in; they call themselves a 'listening room'. All sorts of acts play there, but my favorite night is Honky Tonk Happy Hour on Tuesdays. The Naughty Pines are friends of mine, and are there every other week, playing real deal old school roots country and rock, but Rex Hobart next week is great too. Pick up the freebie papers The Pitch and Ink to find out what's going on weekly, and here are some links...
http://bbslawnsidebbq.com/
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http://www.knuckleheadskc.com/
Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club
recordBar
There's also Jazz Kitchen for New Orleans food that features music,
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and you'll have to go to Lawrence, KS(45 minutes west), home of KU, a classic college town, eventually. Two of the best guitar stores in the region, Richards, and Mass Street Music, are there. Back in KC, find out about "First Fridays", there's too much to explain, and I've gone on too long as it is.
*You'll figure it out soon enough, but there are
two Kansas Cities, and a big difference between the two. And while in one area you do have to cross a river to go from one to the other, there is also State Line Road, where you can just walk across the street and go from Missouri to Kansas.
