Various milestones marked concerts at several West Michigan venues over the weekend, recapped in photos at Local Spins — including The Arcadian Wild, The Bootstrap Boys and much more.
Bidding Adieu to Grand Rapids? Granger Smith on stage Saturday. (Photo/Eric Stoike)
Just a few days before returning to Grand Rapids to play The Intersection, his favorite West Michigan haunt, country singer Granger Smith made a big announcement: He planned to quit touring to spend more time in ministry at his church.
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“We’re going to pour into that church as members, and have my pastors and elders pour into me and disciple me and teach me, as I sit under their wise teaching,” he said in his announcement. “Hopefully, one day they can affirm me into the next steps of what that might look like, to glorify God best from my platform.”
Smith, who’s performed and toured for more than two decades and who’s also known by his “alter ego,” Earl Dibbles Jr., has released 11 studio albums and is probably best known for his singles, “Backroad Song” and “If The Boot Fits.”
Tunde Power: Olaniran and dancers at The Pyramid Scheme. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
On Saturday, he brought his “Like a River” farewell tour — named after his upcoming book — to Grand Rapids, playing a sold-out main showroom at The Intersection, with Lowell country outfit Prior Noon opening the show. Check out the photo gallery below.
The same night, a Michigan artist also made a triumphant return to Grand Rapids: Flint’s Tunde Olaniran brought his flamboyant, hip hop and dance-fueled spectacle to The Pyramid Scheme for the first time in several years, with DJ SuperDre getting the night started.
Elsewhere, Grand Rapids country outfit The Bootstrap Boys revved up Liquid Note Brewing in Otsego over the weekend as the band prepares to release a new studio album at Founders Brewing in Grand Rapids on April 29.
Nashville progressive bluegrass/alt-folk band The Arcadian Wild, meanwhile, made a Grand Rapids tour stop Thursday at Midtown — the day before the group released a brand new single, “Dopamine.”
And The Intersection also hosted rappers Prof (at Elevation on Wednesday) and Rittz (at The Stache on Friday).
PHOTO GALLERY: Granger Smith at The Intersection
Photos by Eric Stoike
PHOTO GALLERY: Tunde Olaniran, SuperDre at The Pyramid Scheme
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: The Bootstrap Boys at Liquid Note Brewing (Otsego)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
