Concerts in Review: Tech N9NE, B-52s, Matisyahu, The Record Company

Share the story

Local Spins’ photo recap of the week in music also features Brena at the summer’s first Garage Bar Block Party, Kalamazoo’s Pride celebration, Jack Droppers and Nathan Kalish at SpeakEZ, Brian Koenigsknecht and much more.

Pumping Up 20 Monroe Live: Tech N9ne made it a Saturday night to remember in Grand Rapids. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)

When it comes to music, West Michigan’s first full week in June had it all: rock, hop hop, soul, Americana, folk, bluegrass, pop, psych-rock, electronic music and more.

Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene

For this week-in-review recap, let’s the photos by Local Spins photographers do the talking.

WEDNESDAY

PHOTO GALLERY: Brena at the Garage Bar Block Party & Bike Night in Grand Rapids
Photos by John Sinkevics

PHOTO GALLERY: Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions
Photos by Anna Sink

THURSDAY

PHOTO GALLERY: The Record Company at Elevation in Grand Rapids
Photos by Anna Sink

PHOTO GALLERY (Thursday-Saturday): Kalamazoo
Matisyahu, Stephen Marley at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden
Brian Koenigsknecht, Mark Lavengood at Old Dog Tavern
Steeldrivers at Bell’s Brewery Beer Garden
Dacia Bridges Project at Kalamazoo Pride Celebration at Arcadia Festival Place
Photos by Derek Ketchum

PHOTO GALLERY (Thursday-Friday): Rockford Brewing Start of Summer Celebration (Melophobix, Cosmic Knot)
Photos by Anna Sink

FRIDAY

PHOTO GALLERY: The B-52s, Lazy Genius at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Photos by Kevin Huver

SATURDAY

PHOTO GALLERY: Tech N9ne at 20 Monroe Live (with King ISO, Just Juice, Joey Cool, The R.O.C.)
Photos by Anthony Norkus

PHOTO GALLERY: Magic Giant at Founders Brewing

IN THE LOCAL SPINS SPOTLIGHT: NATHAN KALISH

The stage at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids on Saturday was scattered with beer boxes upon which the singer-songwriter had written his lyrics. Thanks to those frank and engrossing words as well as a friendly stage presence, Nathan Kalish brought some much needed energy to the lounge at the end of a gloomy day.

The two-hour set from the Nashville-based artist who launched his career in the Grand Rapids area included music from his new album, “I Want to Believe,” other originals tunes and a few crowd-pleasing covers of Neil Young and Tom Petty.

Instruments used during the performance included his trusty acoustic six-string and harmonica and a standup bass played by Karen Frederick. When Kalish wasn’t singing, he was engaging the audience with wine glass in hand, even offering to get the audience to sing Happy Birthday for one lucky patron.

Kalish continues his tour swing in West Michigan with a Sunday night (June 10) performance at Salt of the Earth in Fennville and June 14 at Unruly Brewing in Muskegon. – Katlin Merby

PHOTO GALLERY: Nathan Kalish at SpeakEZ Lounge
Photos by Veronica Leigh Anderson