Take a tour of the new downtown venue that unleashes its first concert Wednesday with Trombone Shorty and Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers. Then, browse the photo gallery and first-week lineup.
SEE MONDAY’S LOCAL SPINS BIG LIST FOR A CHANCE TO WIN TROMBONE SHORTY TICKETS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
There’s a palpable undercurrent of anticipation and nervous energy as 20 Monroe Live prepares to swing open its doors for the first time this week with a flurry of high-profile shows, including Trombone Shorty, Umphrey’s McGee, Lynyrd Skynryd and Shinedown.
Construction workers scramble to put the final touches on the much-buzzed-about, 2,600-capacity concert venue next to The B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids, new staffers undergo training sessions and curiosity-seekers poke their heads in for a first look at the multi-million-dollar project that’s poised to change the city’s live music landscape by adding about 100 concerts a year to the schedule.
The long-awaited project is also adding 100-plus jobs downtown while offering local and regional artists – Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers, Laith Al-Saadi and Wayland the first week alone – an opportunity to open for touring stars. Check out the opening week schedule to the right.
Speaking of tours, Local Spins today offers up a first-hand look at the new venue courtesy of a video tour and photo gallery.
Owned by The Gilmore Collection and managed by Live Nation’s House of Blues Entertainment division, 20 Monroe Live ranks among the larger venues in the House of Blues chain and exudes its own distinctive vibe with an art deco-styled sheen combined with pop culture accents (from Johnny Cash to The Beatles).
Come back later this week for another exclusive Local Spins look at the story behind 20 Monroe Live, then follow the first week’s concerts via Local Spins reviews and photo galleries. And read an exclusive Local Spins interview with Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers — slated to be the first band to play the venue’s stage on Wednesday — online here.
Get more information about upcoming shows and links to ticket sales online at 20monroelive.com.
20 MONROE LIVE: THE LOCAL SPINS VIDEO TOUR
PHOTO GALLERY: 20 Monroe Live
Photos by Anthony Norkus