Weird weather during the first full weekend of spring didn’t hamper turnout at sold-out tour stops in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, including a show by Hawthorne Heights. Plus, recaps of Starkbierfest, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Ingrid Andress, Nathan Walton and more.
Ben Rector on GR’s Stage: From ‘When I’m With You’ to ‘Range Rover,’ he regaled a capacity crowd. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
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Pop singer-songwriter Ben Rector just wanted to “Let the Good Times Roll,” so fans obliged to help rev up his sold-out show Friday at Grand Rapids’ GLC Live at 20 Monroe, part of his “Old Friends Acoustic Tour.”
In Kalamazoo, the Indigo Girls were ready to “Howl at the Moon” from the get-go, drawing cheers and sing-alongs from a capacity crowd of their devoted fans who reveled in the duo’s 22-song set at State Theatre on Thursday — the same day that country singer and Southfield native Ingrid Andress made a tour stop at Elevation inside Grand Rapids’ Intersecion.
Kalamazoo Tour Stop: Indigo Girls (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
A couple days later, it was Grand Rapids ska legend Mustard Plug that pumped up its fan base with a rousing show at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe, enhanced by sets from The Mushmen and Dance Contraption.
Also on Saturday, Cedar Springs Brewing weathered snow and chilly temps to unfurl its annual Starkbierfest in a giant tent outside the Cedar Springs brewery, with country’s Union Guns performing, along with German polka-meister Rudi Tegethoff.
The same day, Hawthorne Heights sold out Elevation inside The Intersection, which also hosted Pigeons Playing Ping Pong in the main showroom. (The Intersection also hosted Friday night sets by Jantzen and Dirt Monkey.)
Saturday’s live music lineup also included The Stray’s Battle of the Bands finals, which you can read about at Local Spins here, along with a photo gallery and video.
All of it came after a triumphant, mid-week homecoming for Grand Rapids’ Nathan Walton & The Remedy, who packed Grand Rapids’ SpeakEZ Lounge for the Local Spins Wednesdays series just a couple days after returning to Michigan from successful performances at Austin’s gigantic South By Southwest music festival. Next up in the series: Blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw plays SpeakEZ Lounge on April 5.
Revisit the musical action in Local Spins images below.
PHOTO GALLERY: Ben Rector, Jordy Searcy, Stephen Day at GLC Live at 20 Monroe
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
PHOTO GALLERY: Indigo Girls, Lilli Lewis at Kalamazoo State Theatre
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Hawthorne Heights at Elevation
Photos by Eric Stoike
