Jonny Lang, Sylvan Esso, Wanda Jackson: Photo Galleries

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The week unfolded with the arrival of ArtPrize 7 in Grand Rapids and a special SpeakEZ Lounge show, with plenty more musical art to embrace across West Michigan.

Vibrant Light Show: Sylvan Esso performing at Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center on Friday. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)

The arrival of fall – and ArtPrize 7 in downtown Grand Rapids – was a study in contrasts, especially when it comes to the eclectic musical offerings igniting the entertainment landscape across West Michigan … and giving Local Spins an excuse once again to capture it all in photos.

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SYLVAN ESSO, HI-KER at CALVIN COLLEGE (GRAND RAPIDS) Photos by Anthony Norkus
Sylvan Esso performed its first Michigan show Friday night to a buoyant crowd in Calvin College’s Covenant Fine Arts Center. The North Carolina duo of singer Amelia Meath and producer/beatmaker Nick Sanborn played an hour-long set of songs from their self-titled debut album — plus one or two newer jams — while a striking light show illuminated the otherwise unadorned stage. Local band hi-ker warmed up the room with a half-hour set of their “experimental, indie collage pop.” – Troy Reimink

WANDA JACKSON AT WEALTHY THEATRE (GRAND RAPIDS) Photos by Tori Thomas
She’s a legendary rockabilly singer who first made a name for herself in the 1950s as a true pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll. On Saturday, Wanda Jackson brought that renowned rockabilly spirit to Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre to regale a packed house that stood up front to cheer the singer, with West Michigan’s own rockabilly royalty, Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, opening the show.

JONNY LANG AT STATE THEATRE (KALAMAZOO) Photos by Derek Ketchum
Blues/soul/gospel guitarist and singer Jonny Lang also played to a packed house at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre on Friday night, at one point even bringing 14-year-old guitarist Jacob Kershaw of Marshall on stage to perform with him – which is appropriate, considering Lang cut his teeth with other stars when he was a young teen. Local Spins photographer Derek Ketchum called Lang’s set an “amazing performance.” The Record Company opened the concert.

THE REST OF THE WEEK

ArtPrize kicked off Wednesday, so the Local Spins Wednesday series at SpeakEZ Lounge had an ArtPrize flavor with singer-songwriters Ralston Bowles, Nicholas James Thomasma and Pete Weatherhead – all with song entries in ArtPrize – performing sets with musical pals. The evening included a surprise guest appearance during Bowles’ set by Traverse City’s The Accidentals, who had been busking for ArtPrize in Grand Rapids earlier in the day .

Michigan House, a groovy pop-up ArtPrize venue celebrating Michigan products, music and art at 40 Pearl St. NW, started off its 2-1/2 weeks of music with performances — booked by Local Spins — from electric violinist Ritsu Katsumata and contemporary jazz band Brad Fritcher’s MOODS. Michigan House will continue to host regular performances throughout ArtPrize.

Rockford Harvest Festival returned to downtown Rockford this weekend, with Rockford Brewing’s beer tent hosting performances by Psychedelic Elephant Machine Gun, An Dro, The Waxies and more.

Grand Rapids’ Mustard Plug fired things up ska-wise at Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo on Friday night in the band’s continued quest to bring a party to every venue where it plays.

WEEKEND PHOTO GALLERY: Sept. 27, 2015
SpeakEZ, Michigan House, Rockford Harvest Festival photos by Anna Sink
Mustard Plug photos by Derek Ketchum