Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture park has hosted 10 seasons of summer concerts at its outdoor amphitheater; the 2013 series gets announced later this week. Here’s Spins on Music Top 12 shows thus far.
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Later this week, the much-anticipated 2013 lineup of concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park will be formally announced, sparking the usual April buzz about which stars have or haven’t been tabbed for performances at the world-class, 1,900-seat outdoor amphitheater.
Having witnessed more than 125 concerts at the venue in the first 10 years of its operation, I figure it’s the perfect time to look back … just before fans start looking forward to this summer’s series. (Check back at Spins on Music later this week for the full 2013 lineup.)
So, with the 11th season of outdoor concerts set to commence at the Meijer Gardens in June, here’s my list of the 12 best shows ever staged at the amphitheater:
1. Los Lobos/Los Lonely Boys, 2008: They’ve co-headlined more than once at Meijer Gardens, and Los Lobos has played the venue several times on its own. But the first time these two bluesy, Mexican-American bands linked up, it was pure magic with fans dancing on stage and both groups jamming together gleefully.
2. David Byrne & the Tosca Strings, 2004: An unexpected, unusual gem in the series’ second year. Byrne returns this season with St. Vincent on July 7, part of an early “teaser” announcement made by Meijer Gardens last month.
3. Elvis Costello & the Imposters, 2011: Even with keyboardist Steve Nieve leaving midway after falling ill, Costello’s audience-pleasing “Spectacular Singing Songbook” roulette wheel turned the evening into a fun romp through some of his biggest hits.
4. Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, 2009: Every Raitt appearance is special, but teaming up with Taj Mahal gave this season-ending concert extra zip.
5. Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, 2003/2011: Fleck has been a frequent visitor to Meijer Gardens, but his shows with bassist Victor Wooten and the Flecktones have been instrumentally jaw-dropping.
6. Gov’t Mule, 2012: This got added to the list the same night I witnessed guitarist Warren Haynes and company’s spectacular blues-rock display in the outdoor amphitheater (with jazz and other genres mixed in). And when Haynes brought Grand Rapids’ own legendary Donald Kinsey on stage for the encore, sparks really flew.
7. Buddy Guy, 2010: He’s played Meijer Gardens three times, but his second show, with opener J.J. Grey & Mofro, stands out for me personally, not only for his stunning guitar work, but because I had a chance to interview him at length back stage.
8. Levon Helm, 2010: I felt blessed to have the opportunity to see this performance by The Band’s legendary drummer and his band before he passed away. It was a night of horn-infused boogie-woogie blues and faves from The Band catalog, played with unbridled joy.
9. Robert Randolph & the Family Band, 2007: He’s a pedal-steel phenom, unleashing soul, rock, blues, funk, gospel and country in audience-inspiring fashion.
10. Umphrey’s McGee, 2010: What a vibe. The Meijer Gardens debut of this Chicago-area prog-rock/jam/funk outfit attracted an entertaining, colorful young audience.
11. Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, 2012: It’s hard to imagine someone looking more comfortable and having more fun on stage than Potter, who chased away the rain with “an effervescent 1-hour-and-47-minute set melding folk, country, blues, pop and jam-band psychedelia with rootsy rock.” This was also the show where a confused duck crashed into the crowd but was rescued and released. An unusual, uncommonly good night.
12. CAKE, 2008; Avett Brothers, 2009: A tie between two of the most surprising shows in amphitheater history. CAKE’s series opener delivered plenty of humor and multi-instrumental charm. And the Avett Brothers’ West Michigan debut uncorked a string-breaking, genre-bending, crowd-pleasing performance. Nowadays, they’re selling out arenas.
(Note: A slew of other performances certainly could make the “Honorable Mention” list, including The Wallflowers, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band, Peter Frampton, Brandi Carlile, Bright Eyes, Crowded House and others. Hey, feel free to pick your own.)
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The Susan Tedeschi with opener Martin Sexton, about 5 years ago, shoulda’ made the cut.