"Midwest Music Foundation (MMF) presents the 17th annual Apocalypse Meow concert on Saturday, November 2nd at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. Apocalypse Meow is MMF’s main fundraiser for Abby’s Fund For Musicians’ Health Care, which provides local musicians and music workers with essential health care resources."

I stole that right from the MMF website. I could copy the rest of this recap from last year's write-up. The annual event has settled into a predictable pattern now. But where some might see repetition, others find comfort in upholding tradition. Apocalypse Meow has become a yearly celebration of the organization, of the people who put in hard work for others, of those businesses and individuals that support local musicians and the local music industry, and a way for musicians who have benefitted from the MMF to give back to the organization. It isn't so much a concert (or series of concerts as it once was) as it is a fundraiser. If everyone involved were a bit swankier, we'd be renting tuxes and buying tables to watch the bands perform in the ballroom at the Radisson. That's not my scene, but if it helped provide emergency medical care for area musicians, I'd figure out how to stuff myself into a cummerbund. But MMF is not asking anyone to rent formalwear, just to show up at Record Bar, buy a ticket that's only $15, and help spread the word about a volunteer-run organization that does so much with so little. Heck, by reading this you're a supporter. There, saved you from having to rent a limo.

Mark Manning (of Wednesday MidDay Medley fame) emceed the event once again this year. This meant solid information about MMF, about the various sponsors that make Apocalypse Meow possible, as well as thorough and heartfelt introductions for each of the bands. But as I said, Apocalypse Meow isn't about the concert, so I'll be brief.

First up was Julia Haile. Haile sits on the MMF board. She is also an enormously talented individual who is comfortable collaborating with others and working across genres. This set highlighted a bit of that versatility as she fronted an ad hoc band that included Tim Braun (guitar), Michelle Bacon (bass), and Stephanie Williams (drums). It started light with vocal jazz informed by smooth R&B. In the second or third song, Braun took a small solo that Haile politely acknowledged. But as the set developed, the act grew bolder. Haile's voice became brassy and authoritative, embracing a soulful rock vibe. A bigger, more aggressive guitar solo appeared mid-set, opening the door for the rhythm section to serve its own funk. While the thirty-five-minute performance featured mostly new material, Haile did plug the yearly Bowie tribute charity concert she participates in by offering a sublime reading of "It Ain't Easy." While Bowie famously cast Ron Davies' gritty blues stomper as glam, Haile's version delivered the song as a jaw-dropping soul number. What a voice!

Between acts I visited the MMF merch table, eyeing the sweatshirts for sale. I also peered at the dozen or so donated items on raffle. While the event used to include a large silent auction, the logistics of that became unwieldy, and as such it was moved online several years ago. I encourage you to peruse https://www.32auctions.com/AM17 and bid with that limo money you saved.

The Creepy Jingles were featured next. The foursome is led by Jocelyn Nixon (vocals/guitar/keyboards). As she shared during the band's thirty-five-minute set, Nixon has been a beneficiary of a grant from the MMF. Alongside Nixon were Wills Van Doorn (lead guitar), Andrew Woody (bass), and Nick Robertson (drums) – aka, the usual crew. The act's set features mostly new material planned for an upcoming album. The album promises to continue the group's genre-melding style that one might inelegantly describe as surfy indie garage pop. The set featured fourteen songs, most of them short, some featured Nixon on piano, others on guitar. All of them featured her vocals, with many elevated by backing vocals from Van Doorn and Woody. One new track has some very Beatle-esque harmonies. Several tracks come with striking guitar solos from Doorn. The audience left their tables to bounce with the band, transforming the room into an exuberant dance party for staple "Circadian Rhythm Guitar."

As is tradition, between acts there were shots – covid shots and flu shots – for Manning and MMF's Sondra Freeman. While that duo got their shots on stage and then followed them up with shots of a different sort, anyone interested was able to receive free covid and flu shots from KU Med's "RockDocs" at the event. The first round of raffle tickets was also pulled. I did not win the visit to Powell Gardens that I put my ticket in for. Thankfully my loss is every musician in Kansas City's gain.

Nathan Corsi and My Atomic Daydream followed immediately afterwards. This too is a tradition. Alongside Corsi is lead guitarist Chris Meck, bassist Michelle Bacon, drummer Tom Hudson, and saxophonist/keyboardist Michael Lefever. Meck is a founder of MMF and plays every Apocalypse Meow. Corsi might call My Atomic Daydream a rock and roll band without bothering with further modifiers. Fair enough, especially with the recent inclusion of Lefever, but there's also plenty of blues with slide guitar solos, and lots of Stax and Motown-styled soul included as well. Maybe that's all just rock and roll anyway. I'll consult Billy Joel. Corsi's vocals were front and center throughout the long fifty-five-minute set, peaking during commanding ballad "Every Night." Meck's solos colored every song, but perhaps it was Lefever's contribution that was felt most throughout the night. He was key in creating the dense, nearly progressive, arrangement of "Shangri La." The crowd, however, was most excited when the band returned to basics for protest song "State of the Union" with its catchy "woo-ew-ew" refrain, borrowed ascending Twist and Shout pre-chorus, and Chuck Berry-styled rhythm guitar. Who can blame them, it's catchy as heck.

Between acts more raffles took place. Every winner was someone that MMF ticket-pullers Rhonda Lyne or Sondra Freeman knew. Apocalypse Meow is an insular event. Then Amy Farrand came out for the traditional toast. Backed by a stage full of MMF supporters, Farrand skipped the usual praise of the non-profit's accomplishments, and instead she told the story of a benefit concert for MoveOn.org that served as a prototype for Apocalypse Meow. Her toast then urged the crowd to vote in the upcoming election to protect health care access for everyone. Drinks were then lifted, signaling that the pageantry was over, the work done, and that it was time to party.

Flare Tha Rebel was chosen for that role. Flare Tha Rebel (aka Jeff Shafer) is a rapper, activist, and educator with a smooth flow. He also proved to be an affable emcee, adept at working the crowd, getting audience participation, and creating a positive celebratory vibe. For this performance, he was backed by a big band that featured singer Jazlyn Epps, guitarist Cole Bales, keyboardist Desmond Mason, bassist Lauren Williams, and drummer Slikc. That quintet went to work. All night the keyboard blared with organ flourishes, guitar hit quick stabs, bass laid down funk grooves, drums popped with syncopation, and vocal hooks made the audience hoot. So many of the songs – especially those from 2022's Summer You, Summer Me EP – were bright and full of pop. The joyful single "Playground" recalled classics like De La Soul's "A Roller Skating Jam Named 'Saturdays'," but it wasn't all sunshine – Shafer's words often had bite. In the (comparatively) gritty "Child's Play," he hammered the refrain, "My country loves its guns more than it ever did me," as he called for change. As midnight approached, the vibe of the event had changed. Much of the older audience had left, and those that remained were up front dancing. Flare Tha Rebel made a point to end its forty-five-minute set on a happy note, offering a long jam that saw each of the players rewarded with solos.

And that's it. Another Apocalypse Meow in the books. It was one that looked and felt a lot like last year's, was attended by the same patrons, enjoyed the same camaraderie and appreciation, continued to celebrate KC's vibrant music scene, and emphasized the same need for funds to assist area musicians with their immediate healthcare needs. If you can help, please visit the Apocalypse Meow website to donate or volunteer.