West Michigan’s concert offerings for the week also include Chris Smither, Rascal Flatts, Timeflies, Vertical Bridge and more. (Videos)
Zoe Muth and her band play the Hat Trick Concert Series on Monday night.
Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers
Hat Trick Concert Series
7:30 p.m. Monday
Free, but hat passed for West Grand Neighborhood Organization
One Trick Pony, Grand Rapids
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Seattle singer-songwriter Zoe Muth, with her retro-country/Americana flair, has been hailed by the likes of No Depression, Twangville and a host of other publications here and oversees, but the Seattle Weekly might have said it best when it aptly described her as “our own Emmylou.” High praise, indeed.
Muth brings her band, the Lost High Rollers, with her to the intimate setting of One Trick Pony tonight for WYCE-FM’s Hat Trick Concert Series (with donations collected for West Grand Neighborhood Organization). Get more details here and check out a video of Muth below if you want to see what all the chatter is about.
Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Michaelson, Sugar & the Hi-Lows
8 p.m. Monday
Sold out
Calvin College Covenant Fine Arts Center, Grand Rapids
Sure, this show is sold out, but New York indie-pop singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson deserves a shout-out for her Grand Rapids show tonight at Calvin. She may have made her mark, in part, with music on TV shows and commercials, but her compelling studio albums – including her latest, 2012’s “Human Again” – have earned attention and kudos for a reason: They’re dynamic, catchy and show off some scintillating vocals. This is the first of several Spek-tacular October concerts slated for Calvin (including Regina Spektor and The Mountain Goats), so check out the calendar here.
Trampled by Turtles stomps into The Intersection this week.
Trampled by Turtles, HoneyHoney
7 p.m. Wednesday
$16 advance, $18 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
Minnesota’s folky and bluegrass-styled Trampled by Turtles is touring behind its latest album, 2012’s “Stars and Satellites,” after making their network television debut earlier this year (which you can view below).
The hard-touring five-piece group creates truly beautiful music and was described by Paste magazine as perhaps the “most adventurous” and “most promising” string band in the land. Details about the all-ages show here.
John Proulx CD-Release Concert
7:30 p.m. Friday
$20
Ladies Literary Club, Grand Rapids
Jazz pianist, singer and Grammy-winning composer John Proulx is celebrating the release of his new MAXJAZZ album, “The Best Thing for You,” with a concert at Ladies Literary Club, 61 Sheldon Blvd. SE, featuring a superstar band of Michigan players, including bassist Dave Rosin, drummer Tim Froncek and trumpet/sax player Rob Smith.
The new album was co-produced by pianist Bill Cunliffe and features a singing duet with Michael Feinstein. Learn more about it at Proulx’s website and purchase tickets for the concert here.
Vertical Bridge brings its rock show to Wealthy Theatre this week.
Vertical Bridge, Joey Heemstra
7:30 p.m. Saturday
$10
Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids
Hard-rocking Greenville/Rockford band Vertical Bridge recorded its new album, “Never Too Late” in Nashville, with help from producer Billy Smiley (White Heart) and Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson. They’ll unleash the album live at Wealthy Theatre this weekend, and will appear on my Local Spins Live show on the radio at 10 a.m. Wednesday on News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW). Concert details here.
By the way, the same night, the Wealthy Theatre annex next door will host the Grand River Folk Arts Society’s concert featuring folk singer-songwriter Ana Egge (whose last album was produced by Steve Earle and recorded at the late Levon Helm’s studio in New York). Details here.
Chris Smither
Chris Smither
8 p.m. Saturday
$30
Saugatuck Center for the Arts, Saugatuck
Veteran singer-songwriter Chris Smither, who grew up in New Orleans, has soaked up America’s folk and blues music to create his own inspiring form of roots music displayed impressively on 15 albums over the past four decades.
His most recent, acclaimed album, “Hundred Dollar Valentine,” was released by Signature Sounds Recordings. And playing this Saugatuck venue should make for a wholly entertaining evening. Ticket details here. And you can check out one of his new songs below. (I also should note that the Saugatuck arts center has pulled off a real coups: They’ve booked Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac fame for a solo show on Nov. 16.)
A$AP Rocky rocks GR.
A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q, A$AP Mob
7 p.m. Sunday
$25 advance, $30 day of show
The Intersection, Grand Rapids
Not sure what else needs to be said about New York rapper A$AP Rocky, who’s made headlines for the good, the bad and the ugly over the past year or so. But he’s also got a huge record deal, a fast-growing following and a much-hyped debut studio album, “LongLiveA$AP,” slated for release, well, sometime soon.
He kicked off his tour last week and already has sold out Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium and New York’s Roseland Ballroom. Get ticket info for the Grand Rapids show here.
UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Ghost Heart, Pistolbrides at The Pyramid Scheme, 8 p.m. Monday — All you need to know is that these are three of Michigan’s most innovative rock outfits. ($10) Ticket info here.
Van Singel Fine Arts Center in Byron Center presents “Real Diamond: The Voice…the Songs…the Man…a Tribute to Neil Diamond,” 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Although I’m not a big fan of Diamond’s contrived late-career performances, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer has a bevy of influential songs, and Curt Di Domizio fronts a tribute band that plays, well, pretty much all of his hits. ($22.50, $39.50) Details here.
Timeflies
Timeflies, DJ Pigpen and The Spektators at The Intersection, 7 p.m. Friday – Fine, some of you may have never heard of this electro/hip-hop/pop/dub duo, but rest assured lots of college kids and 20-somethings certainly have, because tickets for this show have been flying out the door. ($17.50, $20) Listen to Timeflies here.
LVNMUZIQ at Schuler Books & Music (28th Street SE), 7 p.m. Friday – This Grand Rapids singer-songwriter, aka Liz Snavely, supplies urban folk magic that recalls everything from Tracy Chapman to David Gray to Brandi Carlile. And this is a free show.
Rascal Flatts at Van Andel Arena, 7 p.m. Saturday (with Little Big Town, Edens Edge and Eli Young Band) – You may wonder why this country superstar band is on my “under-the-radar” list. But really: Does this multi-million-selling band need more attention than it’s already gotten, especially with such solid opening acts? ($25, $49.75, $64.75) Details at the arena website. Oh, and for more country, Grand Rapids The Stolen Horses Band plays the Back Forty Saloon on W. Fulton St. that night ($3).
Red Tail Ring at Fennville’s Salt of the Earth, 7 p.m. Sunday – Kalamazoo’s Red Tail Ring, aka Michael Beauchamp and Laurel Premo, is one of those bands that always seems to be flying under the radar, but deserves a brighter spotlight for its bracing brand of Americana and folk. More details about the duo here. You can make reservations at Salt of the Earth by calling 269-561-7258.
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