The last week in September uncorked hard rock, pop-punk, pop-soul, jazz, hip hop, Americana and more from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. Revisit the early-week shows in words and photos at Local Spins.
One of the ‘Beasts’: Clutch on stage Thursday in Grand Rapids. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
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Already, it’s been a week of musical contrasts.
Iconic Maryland stoner rock/alt-metal band Clutch brought its “Two-Headed Beast” tour with Rival Sons to Grand Rapids’ GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Thursday night, with Black Stone Cherry getting the night rolling.
Chicago pop-punk’s Alkaline Trio, meanwhile, delivered “Hot for Preacher,” “Take Lots with Alcohol,” “Time to Waste” and 19 other favorites for fans at The Intersection the same night, revving things up with help from Spanish Love Songs and Slomosa.
Earlier in the week, it was Boston pop-soul outfit Lake Street Dive returning to Grand Rapids to perform at GLC Live at 20 Monroe in support of the band’s latest album, “Good Together,” with Florida pop-punk/emo’s Set It Off igniting a party at The Intersection.
Jazz at Crawlspace: Keith Hall on Thursday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Meanwhile, in Kalamazoo, the Sounds of the Zoo festival continued Tuesday through Thursday with hip hop, jazz, rock, Americana, blues and folk unfurled by regional bands.
The week-long celebration of Michigan music heated up various venues across Kalamazoo: Old Dog Tavern, Crawlspace Comedy Theatre and Green Door Distilling.
Tuesday’s Old Dog lineup moved inside due to the weather, with Kalamazoo Academy of Rock, Mexicuba and Abe Savas & The New Standards of Beauty (plus numerous special guests, including Matt Gross of Knee Deep Shag) playing to a full house. The following night, performers moved outdoors, with Lindsey King, The Schrock Bros feat. Peter Madcat Ruth and Da’Veonce and DaFunk Gang.
Thursday’s festival featured jazz at Crawlspace, with Keith Hall, Josiah DeNooyer and Earth Radio taking the stage at the Crawlspace. The same night at Green Door Distilling, Sounds of the Zoo hosted its first ever hip hop showcase, with five acts performing passionately outdoors. Nineteen-year-old Kalamazoo artist Lipsey kicked things off, followed by emo/punk/rap’s Wavy Awakening, Kandace DC Lavender, Ed Genesis and old-school rap trio The Midwest Marauders.
The festival continues Friday through Sunday. Scroll down for the schedule and check out coverage of Monday’s opening night at Local Spins here. (Local Spins will have a table at Bronson Park for Sounds of the Zoo on Saturday, with merchandise, stickers and more.)
PHOTO GALLERY: Clutch, Rival Sons, Black Stone Cherry
GLC Live at 20 Monroe (Thursday)
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
PHOTO GALLERY: Alkaline Trio at The Intersection (Thursday)
Photos by Eric Stoike
PHOTO GALLERY: Set It Off at The Intersection (Wednesday)
Photos by Eric Stoike
