Beyond a revved-up full house at The Pyramid Scheme, the weekend launched with a Kalamazoo tour stop by Ani DiFranco, a jazz duo at St. Cecilia and a music release by Second Hand Drugs.
‘Celebrity’: Chloe Moriondo on stage at The Pyramid Scheme. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES FROM SEVERAL CONCERTS
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
Considering the packed house of adoring fans at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, it made perfect sense for Detroit-bred indie-pop star Chloe Moriondo to close out her encore on Thursday night with the 2020 single, “I Want to Be With You.”
It capped an evening inside The Pyramid Scheme’s iconic backroom venue that had filled up quickly filled with eager concertgoers who crowded to the front of the stage.
Chicago’s Dreamer Isioma opened the night with spellbinding pop sounds.
“If there’s one thing about us: We’re gay. Are y’all gay?” Dreamer Isioma asked, sparking a roaring response from the crowd.
Michigan’s own Chloe Moriondo, meanwhile, started her set with “Popstar,” a popular single from her her latest record that had fans singing along from the first line.
Kalamazoo State Theatre Tour Stop: Ani DiFranco (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
At one point, Moriondo told the full house that “it’s time to get angry.” She encouraged attendees to think about anyone that had hurt them, and one fan mentioned being cheated on by Zack.
After inducing the crowd to join her in screaming “F— you Zack,” she launched into the song, “Trophy.”
The energy remained high as Moriondo delivered a cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” before the singer dashed off stage while ominous carnival music played.
After a few moments of flashing red lights on a darkened stage, Moriondo re-appeared in a clown outfit, diving right into “Hotel for Clowns.” Closing the main set with “Hell Hounds,” crowd chants brought Moriondo back for an encore featuring “Fruity” and “I Want To Be With You.”
The same night that Moriondo was captivating a Pyramid Scheme audience, jazz pianist Alfredo Rodriguez and percussionist Pedrito Martinez were lighting up historic Royce Auditorium at St. Cecilia Music Center just a few blocks away and influential singer-songwriting fave Ani DiFranco was doing much the same for a Kalamazoo audience at State Theatre.
On Friday night, Grand Rapids’ Second Hand Drugs hosted a music-release bash at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill (along with Melissa Dylan, Low Phase and False Harbor).
Scroll down for photo galleries from all of these shows and come back to Local Spins on Sunday for more weekend concert coverage. Plus check out bonus coverage: Tech N9ne, Cooper Alan, Blunts & Blondes at The Intersection.
PHOTO GALLERY: Chloe Moriondo, Dreamer Isioma at The Pyramid Scheme
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: Ani DiFranco, Abraham Alexander at Kalamazoo State Theatre (Thursday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Rodriguez/Martinez Duo at St. Cecilia Music Center (Thursday)
Photos by Jeffrey Wilkinson
