August’s final weekend blast of live music covered the gamut, from country to metal to indie-rock and more, from GR’s Return to the River to Havoc Fest. Browse all the photo galleries and a video at Local Spins.
‘Country Boy’: Alan Jackson at Van Andel Arena on Saturday. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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Country star Alan Jackson appropriately enough kicked off his tour stop at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena on Saturday with his classic, “Gone Country.”
Indeed, cowboy hats and boots were on full display — on stage and in the audience — for Saturday’s concert which also featured opening sets by Lee Ann Womack and James Carothers
Jackson also appropriately rolled out renditions of “Summertime Blues,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow,” “Country Boy,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Good Time,” reflecting the vibe of the season and the sentiment of fans.
Of course, “good time” could also describe the spirit of other live music gatherings across the region, from Jackson’s punk-and-metal-driven Havoc Fest to Yonder Mountain String Band’s bluegrass attack at Paw Paw’s Warner Vineyards to indie-rock’s Guided by Voices’ fan-pleasing appearance at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden in Kalamazoo.
The Setting: YMSB at Warner Vineyards. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
In Grand Rapids, the first day of Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.’s Return to the River Festival flowed out under sunny skies at Sixth Street Bridge Park and other locations along the Grand River on the north end of downtown, with numerous bands and performers, including Banda El Bajio, Brie Stoner, The Hacky Turtles and more. The festival sontinues today (Sunday) through 8 p.m. Check out the video below and get the schedule online at Local Spins.
The week also featured a benefit for May’s tornado victims hosted by Sounds of the Zoo at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe on Thursday, raising money for the Community Urgent Relief Fund, recapped by writer Cassandra Kipp:
Two Dollar Bills, a Strokes cover band organized by the Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, had the ‘90s aesthetic down firmly: cranky instruments, grungy hair and flannels, and a nerdy sensibility. They channeled The Strokes’ upbeat misery with skill and depth, pleasing the crowd and keeping their attention rapt with compelling favorites.
The Nathan Moore Affair offered up everything from stadium rock to feel-good pop rock to sexy R&B to aching—but-still-sexy R&B, with crisp, earthy, grounded sound. POTUS & The Cabinet closed out the night with covers ranging from the ‘70s to the 2010s, exuding a playful, self-effacing style.
Overall, the benefit show revealed a community willingness to support and learn more about each other. Donate to the relief fund online here. The third annual Sounds of the Zoo fest unfurls in Kalamazoo at the end of September. More about that here.
Browse photos from all of the shows below.
PHOTO GALLERY: Alan Jackson at Van Andel Arena
Photos by Eric Stoike
PHOTO GALLERY: Guided by Voices, Deadbeat Beat at Bell’s Beer Garden
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Havoc Fest at Apex Sports & Entertainment
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
