Unusual, eclectic, electric and elating concerts heated up venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to Rockford this week, captured in images — from an Out of Favor Boys anniversary to an ‘Ugly Sweater’ affair.
Dirty Honey Fervor: Singer Marc LaBelle and his L.A. band rocked a capacity crowd at Elevation. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
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At Kalamazoo State Theatre, rock tunesmith Liz Phair unleashed her fan-pleasing “Exile in Guyville” anniversary tour stop two days before Southwest Michigander Kyle Jennings returned with another “Nashville Storytellers” pre-Christmas show.
One of Grand Rapids’ musical romps featured Los Angeles rock band Dirty Honey revving up a fan-packed affair at Elevation inside The Intersection.
But that was the just the tip of early December’s musical iceberg, with West Michigan’s Vernon Potts and Common Molly delivering an eclectic rock show at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids (for the Local Spins Wednesdays series), Kalamazoo singer-songwriter Kait Rose hosting a star-studded “Holiday Special” at Midtown and GR’s Midwest Skies leading a passel of GR bands for an “Ugly Sweater Party” at Turnstiles.
Oberlin & Gitchel: Rolling at Rockford Bike Shop. (Photo/Local Spins)
And speaking of unusual holiday parties, how about mandolinist Brian Oberlin and guitarist Luke Gitchel playing to a packed house on Friday at Rockford Bike Shop, of all places, surrounding by hanging bicycles and gear? (Scroll down for video.)
Kalamazoo’s local showcases featured some milestones: Abe Savas & The New Standards of Beauty debuted Savas’ “Love Cabal” album as a full-band affair at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe — along with Pillar to Post and Brian Koenigsknecht & The Dirty Work — while blues favorites the Out of Favor Boys celebrated their 20th anniversary with a Saturday show at Rugger’s Up & Under.
Browse all of the photo galleries below and view Liz Phair’s concert set list here.
WEDNESDAY
PHOTO GALLERY: Vernon Potts, Common Molly at SpeakEZ Lounge
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker and Derek Ketchum
THURSDAY
PHOTO GALLERY: Liz Phair, Kate Bollinger at State Theatre
Photos by Derek Ketchum
FRIDAY
PHOTO GALLERY: Dirty Honey at Elevation
Photos by Eric Stoike
