Local Spins spotlights the Michigan-based artists who will christen Grand Rapids’ new venue next week, plus we debut fresh tracks by other regional acts.
Honored: Brian Vander Ark ranks his upcoming appearance at Acrisure Amphitheater near the top of the list. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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When it comes to career milestones for Brian Vander Ark of The Verve Pipe, few are likely to top the one he’s eagerly looking forward to next week.
And Michael Trotter Jr. of The War and Treaty has the same view of the same event.
Grand Rapids’ new $184 million, 12,000-capacity Acrisure Amphitheater officially hosts its first public concert on May 15, with Vander Ark and The War and Treaty taking the stage ahead of headliner Lionel Richie.
For both Michigan-based artists, the historic occasion for the city and West Michigan music fans ranks high on their résumés.
“It’s in the Top 10, I’ll tell you that. I mean, it might even be Top 5,” Vander Ark quipped. “Let me think: Letterman, Leno, KISS tour. I think it’ll be different once I actually play it and I’m up there and I realize the significance of a kid who is 16 playing Holiday Inn bars around Grand Rapids to come in and play in front of (12,000) people – the first person on stage there. Yeah, maybe the Top 3.”
To add to the anticipation, Vander Ark was “a huge Commodores fan growing up,” reveling in Richie and his band’s songs such as “Brick House” and “Easy.”
Special Day: The dynamic War and Treaty will follow Vander Ark on stage May 15. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Meanwhile, Trotter – who recently moved back to Michigan with his wife and singing partner, Tanya, and family – has long idolized Richie, so there are multiple reasons for his excitement about playing this inaugural event, too.
“Anytime I get to do anything in Michigan, it ranks always in my top, whatever that is. But this is extra special because of the admiration I have for Lionel Richie,” he told Local Spins. “I think we all can agree that he made the soundtrack in our lives. To be able to watch the master do what he does and be able to hang out there and see this new beautiful edifice is going to be great.”
Both artists have been touring the country in recent months, so the homecoming show in a glistening new concert venue holds special appeal.
“I’m going to do a trio. It’s going to be a little bit different. It’ll be a first time for me,” said Vander Ark, who’ll be joined by Angie Mattson from In the Valley Below and Channing Lee, who been a member of The Verve Pipe since 2013.
“I want to do something a little different. So I feel like it’s going to be a little bit of a mellow thing, but I think it’s going to be super vibing. We’re going to ease people into the night. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ll play a couple of the hits, of course, but then I’m going to go into the catalog a little bit and play some stuff that I want to play with these two.”
Meanwhile, The War and Treaty have a new album on the way in July and likely will perform some new material as part of their set – songs with an R&B feel.
Tickets (starting at $162.70 for seated areas) are still available for the 7:30 p.m. May 15 concert through Ticketmaster online here. “Verified resale” lawn section tickets are $71.55.
To warm up fans for the upcoming performances, the Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase this week featured “Tattoo” from The Verve Pipe’s latest studio album, and the 2025 single “Whiskey River” by The War and Treaty.
The show also features tracks by a few bands performing at the private Contractor Appreciation Festival taking place at Acrisure Amphitheater on Saturday, May 9 – Edison Kitt, Stolen Horses and Domestic Problems – as well as Rachel Brooke, Luke Winslow-King, Hot Girls, Mar in Color, Supo, The Temperances, Perren and James Filkins along with our classic, retro track of the week by a Michigan artist, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. Listen to the show below.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (5/8/26)
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