‘Tis the SXSW season and bands throughout the Midwest are gearing up to haul their gear to the great land of Tejas, where they will party for a week straight with revelers and food truck patrons.

On Saturday night, recordBar in Kansas City hosted a mini-tour of musicians on their way to the festival. The lineup, comprised of a group of Missourians, featured former locals (who will always be townies in our hearts).

Archie Powell and The Exports, of Chicago, opened the show fast and furiously. Hot on their heels was The Noise FM, darlings of the Lawrence and Chicago scenes, simultaneously. Rounding out the night was Me Like Bees out of Joplin, MO. Catch all these bands, and many many more, at Shangri-La in Austin during SXSW. After that, you can watch Me Like Bees and The Noise FM in Kansas City again during Middle of the Map Fest.

Words and photos by Lillian Wright Smith.