Ludacris, Simple Plan, Die Antwoord and more: Week-in-Review Photos

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One of the busiest weeks of the summer music season gave West Michigan a wildly diverse blend of music, plus local showcases at The Pyramid Scheme, Mulligan’s Pub and Billy’s Lounge. Check out the image and videos at Local Spins.

‘Rollout’ the Rap at Party in the Park: Ludacris headlined Saturday night’s bash at Fifth Third Ballpark. (Photo/Eric Stoike)

Talk about a week to remember. Let’s recap:

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• Die Antwoord played a wild sold-out show at 20 Monroe Live in Grand Rapids.
PHOTO GALLERY: Die Antwoord
Photos by Anthony Norkus

• The New Pornographers made a tour stop Thursday at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo, which was followed by the Grammy Award-winning Steeldrivers and, finally, a CD-release show from Southwest Michigan’s Sarah Lynn Band with Carrie McFerrin & Matthew Borr kicking off the night.
PHOTO GALLERY: Kalamazoo
Photos by Derek Ketchum

• Canadian pop-punkers Simple Plan celebrated the 15th anniversary of their debut album, “No Pads, No Helmets … Just Balls” at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with Set it Off and Patent Pending.
PHOTO GALLERY: Simple Plan
Photos by Eric Stoike

• Grand Rapids’ by Lazy Genius, The Howlers, The Bootstrap Boys and Best Exes, along with Grand Rapids Soul Club featuring DJ Sun*Rise raised money as part of “Evelyn & Kyle: A Benefit Show” on Friday (the same night that Hank Mowery & The Hawktones returned to Billy’s Lounge and bands such as The Autumnatic and Tru-Burn fired up Mulligan’s Pub; check out videos from those shows below.)
PHOTO GALLERY: Evelyn & Kyle: A Benefit Show
Photos by Katy Batdorff

• “The Nuge,” aka Ted Nugent, brought his Motor City Madman rock to 20 Monroe Live on Friday.
PHOTO GALLERY: Ted Nugent, Derek Day
Photos by Anthony Norkus

• Ian Anderson churned out Jethro Tull classics at a sold-out Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. (Editor’s Note: Anderson’s appearance was a big improvement over his tour stop last year at DeVos Performance Hall. It was not as scripted with less video “accompaniment,” allowing the engaging Anderson to banter with the audience and show off his personality. While his faltering voice no longer gives him the ability to power through many of his most challenging songs, Anderson is still a master of dynamics, incredibly energetic and continues to play the heck out of the rock ‘n’ roll flute.)
PHOTO GALLERY: Ian Anderson
Photos by Andy Visockis

• WSNX’s annual Party in the Park had the crowds fired up at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park on Saturday with a headlining set by hip hop star Ludacris, plus performances from Juvenile, Max and Grand Rapids’ Ajax Stacks.
PHOTO GALLERY: Party in the Park
Photos by Eric Stoike

• Saturday also saw the second annual Tribute on the Grand at Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, a fundraiser for Grand Rapids Whitewater (sponsored by Founders Brewing and Fox 17) with sets by Sweet Diezel Jenkins, Saved By The 90s, Hotel California (Eagles tribute), Bromoans (The Ramones tribute) and Wolfpack From Mars (David Bowie). Hundreds of people gathered in the shade facing the Grand River and the city’s skyline as a lineup of tribute acts braved the heat, including local David Bowie tribute band Wolfpack from Mars, who put on a fan-friendly performance.
PHOTO GALLERY: Tribute on the Grand
Photos by Schyler Perkins