Classic rock band Kansas took the stage Thursday to a sold-out crowd at the Luhrs Performing Arts Center.

The group, noted as being one of America’s most iconic and well-known rock bands, is one of many famous acts that have come to the Luhrs Center this season. Following the appearances of other classic rock bands like ZZ Top and Three Dog Night, Kansas offered an incredible concert experience.

Gaining their roots in the capital city of Topeka, Kansas, the group has been together since 1973. In the nearly 50 years that the band has run, they have produced eight gold albums and numerous platinum records. Kansas also boasts a strong Spotify presence, having over seven million monthly listeners on the streaming platform alone. 

Some of their most noted singles like “Carry on Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind” continue to be among the most played songs on classic rock radio stations across the world and have even been featured in shows like “Supernatural” and movies like “Final Destination.” Kansas is a big deal and continues to pull with them a massive fanbase of listeners, some of whom have been around since they started performing. 

What makes Kansas’ sound so iconic and recognizable is their heavy use of instrumentals, not including the guitar. They heavily lean on use of keyboard and string instruments to achieve their memorable sound, and they often give each instrument respective solos that stand out when compared to other rock bands who always focus on guitar instrumentals the most.

Kansas is also well-known for their silky vocal harmonies that can be recognized in songs like “Carry on Wayward Son” straight away. 

The band exudes with them an almost mythical and dreamlike atmosphere that fits with a lot of the visuals they use on their album covers and promotional items. This vibe sinks into every song in the band’s repertoire, which has really worked to establish who they are as a group. Their performance at the Luhrs Center was nothing short of these qualities. 

Even after 50 years, Kansas still holds true to their moniker, holding the audience captive with every note and every lyric. By the time they played their final song, they had the whole audience out of their seats. It was an incredible performance, and I look forward to hearing much more of them in the coming years. 

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