Wednesday’s summer squall abated in time for a captivating performance amid picture-perfect weather in Meijer Gardens’ sold-out amphitheater, The review and photos.
(Amphitheater and) ‘Street Corner Preacher’: Amos Lee on Wednesday night. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERY AND SET LIST
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
It was a soulfully symphonic partnership Wednesday evening as Philadelphia-proud singer-songwriter Amos Lee teamed with the Grand Rapids Symphony for a rapt (and mostly dry) capacity crowd at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
While bordering-on-torrential downpours hammered the area throughout Wednesday afternoon — impacting Lee, his band and the symphony’s rehearsal plans, and delaying the gates’ opening by 30 minutes — the venue averted the worst of the predicted stormy weather.
Instead, pleasant temps and fairly clear skies reigned supreme for the duration of the roughly two-hour performance (which included an intermission of 30-or-so minutes).
Filling the Stage: The Grand Rapids Symphony (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
The two-part show matched Lee — a Meijer Gardens’ regular and favorite — with the talents of the nationally recognized (and locally beloved) Grand Rapids Symphony for a nuanced-yet-organic, polished-yet-loose experience.
With nearly 20 songs on tap, Lee and (considerable) company shined particularly bright on “Violin” (enriched by harmonies from bassist Elliott Skinner), “Street Corner Preacher” and show closer “Windows Are Rolled Down.”
Other particularly well-received moments included “Arms of a Woman,” “Sweet Pea,” a cover of Paul Simon’s “American Tune” — which seemed especially well suited for collaboration with the rich, peppy sound of the symphony — and Lee’s ebullient repertoire with the crowd: “You (always) show up and show out.”
Those wishing for more of Lee can catch the folk/rock star as part of his solo fall tour, with guest Mutlu, on Oct. 12 at St. Cecilia Music Center in Grand Rapids. Tickets for that show go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. online here.
Up Next at Meijer Gardens: The Revivalists + Band of Horses perform at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The concert is sold out.
PHOTO GALLERY: Amos Lee and Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Holly Holtzclaw
SET LIST: Amos Lee w/ Grand Rapids Symphony at Meijer Gardens
Wait Up for Me
Dreamland
Jesus
Keep it Loose, Keep it Tight
All You Got is a Song
Out of the Cold
American Tune (Paul Simon cover)
Madison (as-yet-unreleased song)
Street Corner Preacher
*Intermission*
Worry No More
Crooked
Colors
Violin
Black River
Sweet Pea
Flower
Arms of a Woman
Windows Are Rolled Down
Copyright 2023, Spins on Music LLC
