Celebrations from Kalamazoo to Grand Rapids closed out 2023 and welcomed the New Year over the holiday weekend, from a two-night run by Greensky Bluegrass to a cozy party at Turnstiles.
New Year’s Spectacle: Greensky Bluegrass at State Theatre.(Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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Welcoming 2024 took a lot of different musical tacks across West Michigan.
There was the two-night run by Michigan’s own progressive bluegrass powerhouse Greensky Bluegrass at Kalamazoo’s State Theatre — always a special treat for devoted fans.
And this particular celebration featured the addition of West Michigan native Holly Bowling on keys to make it even more memorable, with her solos adding extra flair to the already impressive live catalog of Greensky favorites, unfurled during a three-hour show on Saturday and an epic, four-hours-plus marathon of a spectacle on New Year’s Eve.
The party included confetti cannons and a balloon drop at midnight, Bowling’s young son joining the band with a toy guitar and an evening featuring nearly 30 songs, including the encore.
Elsewhere, Kalamazoo celebrated New Year’s Eve with its annual New Year’s Fest downtown, with a boatload of performances by an eclectic assortment of bands including the Megan Dooley Trio, Otsego Jazz Band, Grace Theisen Band, Minor Element, FlyLiteGemini, Ada LeAnn, Nathan Moore Affair and more.
Earlier in the weekend, Trifocal and Benna played Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe on Friday, the same night that Lucius Fox, The Honey Pot and Katy Needs a Life played Doremouse Theatre.
In Grand Rapids, Mustard Plug unleashed its annual holiday party at The Intersection on Friday and Allegan County Americana phenom Myron Elkins fired up The Stache on Saturday with help from Christian Dawson.
Meanwhile Nathan Walton & The Remedy, Melophobix and The Local Commuters ushered in the New Year on Sunday at Turnstiles.
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PHOTO GALLERY: Greensky Bluegrass at State Theatre (Saturday & Sunday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
Photos by Hunter Paulson
Turnstiles in Grand Rapids
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
