Throngs of thousands cheered country stars in Comstock Park and a Michigan-bred bluegrass powerhouse at Pine Knob — just a smidgen of the live music lighting up the region, captured in Local Spins photos.
Fan Ardor: Jon Pardi greeting fans during his set Saturday at B93 Birthday Bash. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOS, PLUS PHOTO GALLERIES FROM SEVERAL CONCERTS
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When you’re a home-state hero headlining an iconic venue such as Pine Knob for the first time, fans are liable to let you know how they feel in glowing terms — both during and after your show.
“It’s pretty amazing how far and fast your star has risen. In 2017, I saw you open for Railroad Earth at the tiny Vic Theatre (1,600) in Chicago and now you’re headlining (and selling out) my hometown amphitheater (15,500) all by yourself,” fan Mike Newman gushed on Facebook after bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings’ Friday concert at the outdoor venue in Clarkston. “Michigan kid makes good indeed.”
“Fantastic performance. The band was killing it and the crowd was loving every moment,” wrote Tracy Topoian-Gordan. “Still feeling high from the show.”
Billy Strings: Selling out Pine Knob
And from Janice Eickholt-March: “What an amazing and life-changing experience. I’m still completely blown away. Hands down one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.”
Playing two sets and 22 songs — starting with “Red Daisy” from 2021’s “Renewal” and wrapping it all up with Del McCoury’s “Big Ball in Boston” — the Ionia County-bred Billy Strings and his virtuosic, Nashville-based cohorts definitely cemented their headliner status as venue-packing superstars of the bluegrass scene.
“Billy Strings, you said it yourself you need to come back to Michigan more,” fan Andrew Tucholski noted on social media after the show. “You know we all would love to see you more, too.”
Many fans will: Billy Strings plays a homecoming concert at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 31, Halloween — for which some upper-level tickets ($49.50) are still available online here.
Check out the set list from Friday show at Setlist.fm and browse videos here.
VIDEO: Billy Strings at Pine Knob
Video by Ohio Grown Live Music Archive
VIDEO: Billy Strings at Pine Knob
Video by Poison Monkeys
Billy Strings’ Michigan tour stop was just part of a robust week of outdoor music heating up the region:
• The B93 Birthday Bash on Saturday at LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park (with country singers Jon Pardi, Gabby Barrett, Michael Ray and Shane Profitt);
• Grand Rapids Pride Festival on Calder Plaza in Grand Rapids on Saturday — just down the street from City Built Brewing’s annual Bridge Blast on the Sixth Street Bridge (with My Son the Hurricane, The Go Rounds, Grace Theisen, Nathan Walton & The Remedy and Overdrive Orchestra);
• Cutting-edge rock band Modest Mouse brought the tour behind its latest album, “The Golden Casket” to GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Saturday night (View the set list at Setlist.fm);
• Kalamazoo hip hop/soul group Last Gasp Collective played the second Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts show of 2023 in Lowell on Thursday;
Browse photo galleries from all of these shows below, with separate Local Spins coverage of Buttermilk Jamboree and Tegan & Sara at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
PHOTO GALLERY: B93 Birthday Bash at LMCU Ballpark
Photos by Eric Stoike
PHOTO GALLERY: Bridge Blast on the Sixth Street Bridge
Photos by Joshua Tufts
PHOTO GALLERY: Grand Rapids Pride Fest on Calder Plaza
Photos by Joshua Tufts
