Holiday Harmonies: Concert photo recap from City Built, Studio Park, Tip Top, Smiling Acres

West Michigan’s 2021 Independence Day weekend proved to be far busier music-wise than the pandemic-impaired 2020, and Local Spins was there to capture the concert action in photos.

 

SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTO GALLERIES

Nothing quite like kicking off a long Fourth of July holiday weekend with appropriately Americana-inspired, guitar-driven jams.

Such was the case at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park on Thursday for the latest “Listening Lawn” show starring the Grand Rapids-based band Brother Elsey and opener Jefferson Rinck.

Amid bright and clear skies with a gentle breeze — a welcome sight after the rain that plagued West Michigan earlier in the week — a sizable crowd filled the plaza for the sold-out show.

Rinck kicked things off by previewing several unreleased songs, including those co-written with friends such as Jordan Mobley and Joey Frendo, as well as performing a cover of “Safe” by Michigander (who happens to play Studio Park on July 15).

“I just love writing music with other people,” the Grand Rapids artist revealed in between songs.

Brother Elsey followed with an energetic performance that fired up the crowd and got fans out of their seats, with several dancing in front of the stage. The set even impressed those unfamiliar with the band.

“I didn’t know who they were, but I come to all the shows here,” said Daryl Fannigan, a Grand Rapids native. “I’m happy I came. They put on a great show.” – Parker Learman-Blaauw

The same might be said for other performances that followed over the weekend: Benzing Graves Collective and Jesse Ray & the Carolina Catfish pumped up City Built Brewing’s “Friday Night Live” show along the Grand River north of downtown on Friday, the same night that Stovepipe Stover, Maddie Peters and Evie lit up the stage at Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.

And one of the first music festivals of the season — the inaugural Smiling Acres Music Festival outside Trufant — revved fans up for two straight days with sets by a who’s who lineup of regional acts. Check out Local Spins’ early coverage of the festival online here, with a second-day photo gallery below.

PHOTO GALLERY: Brother Elsey at Studio Park
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek

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PHOTO GALLERY: Benzing Graves Collective, Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish
Friday Night Live across from City Built Brewing
Photos by Derek Ketchum

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PHOTO GALLERY: Stovepipe Stover, Maddie Peters and Evie at Tip Top Deluxe
Photos by Bryan Bolea

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PHOTO GALLERY: Smiling Acres Music Festival (Night 2)
Photos by Anna Sink and Derek Ketchum

Smiling Acres Festival offered a grand finale Saturday evening. Colorful firework explosions filled the sky while Mark Lavengood and band vamped along to the dazzling display, while attendees “oohhed” and “ahhhed.”

The second evening of the festival included sets by Patty Pershayla & the Mayhaps, a John Prine Tribute set, Lady Ace Boogie and Myron Elkins & The Dying Breed.

Patty Pershayla performed in usual power-trio style and rocked cuts from their new record “Cheap Diction.” The group also flawlessly played the blues with effortless swagger. But it was the slower, smoother songs that truly displayed the band’s dynamic range and chemistry onstage.

Welcoming Vibe: Smiling Acres Fest. (Photo/Anna Sink)

After evening fell, Lady Ace Boogie grooved with charisma and energy that inspired flocks of dancing festival-goers who embraced her themes of hope, love and self-empowerment.

The final set came from Myron Elkins and the Dying Breed, unleashing their rollicking Americana and folk-rock.

“The organizing committee of Smiling Acres Music Festival is sincerely overwhelmed with gratitude and joy for how well the festival was received by all of the attendees,” said Lavengood. “We couldn’t have pulled it off without the incredibly stacked artistic lineup, vendors, volunteers, and most importantly, everybody who bought a ticket and chose to spend their holiday weekend with us.” – Enrique Olmos

Check out the photo gallery and video from Day 1 here: Smiling Acres Music Festival debuts with rousing live sets, hugs and, yes, smiles

Copyright 2021, Spins on Music LLC