WYCE’s Jammie Awards show was a love-in: a one-night music fest at The Intersection in Grand Rapids with dozens of memorable sets, coveted awards, a capacity crowd and camaraderie galore.
Lighting It Up at the Jammies: The Bootstrap Boys were one of more than two dozen acts who played sets at The Intersection. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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The Jammie Awards after-party in The Stache at The Intersection on Friday night epitomized what this annual event hosted by community radio station WYCE-FM is all about.
Vibrant Set: Molly Bouwsma Schultz of Vox Vidorra, which won album of the year. (Photo/Anna Sink)
A super-group of musicians from various bands — introduced by singer-songwriter and Legacy Award winner Ralston Bowles — churned out deliciously passionate, wonderfully sloppy and absolutely infectious gems that had the vestiges of what was once a capacity crowd gyrating and grinning.
That late-night set included a groovy, rollicking rendition of “Johnny B. Goode,” led by singer Hannah Rose Graves, with Steve Talaga and members of The Electrocats, The Lippies, Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe, Big Dudee Roo and more filling the tiny stage and jamming happily.
It was the perfect capper to a night that featured two dozen ultra-dynamic and diverse performances on two stages and presentation of 19 awards with about 1,400 fans in attendance. Check out the video recap and photo gallery of the 17th annual Jammie Awards show below.
After-Party Hoopla: A super-group jammed into the wee hours. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
The musical offerings were resplendent, from The Jukejoint Handmedowns’ vintage Americana to Molly Bouwsma Schultz’s mesmerizing stage presence during Jammie-of-the-Year winner Vox Vidorra’s rousing set to Fable the Poet’s engaging genre-melding lyricism to best new artist Lady Ace Boogie’s crowd-stirring charm.
Local Spins writers also offered up their takes for the night’s most compelling performances:
Tunde Olaniran, Main Stage: When Tunde Olaniran’s set opened with innovative dancers, the concertgoers reacted with cheers, knowing they were in for a treat. His electronic/pop music and indescribable stage presence captivated the crowd. – Elizabeth Voltz
Joe Bockheim of The Legal Immigrants (Photo/Anna Sink)
The Legal Immigrants, Main Stage: Embodying the true essence of rock stars – long flowing hair, flamboyant attire and a wild attitude – The Legal Immigrants put on a rollicking set at the Jammies. The group cranked out a high-energy set to a rambunctious crowd that loved every moment. – Ricky Olmos
Scott Pellegrom Trio, Main Stage: The band led by Spring Lake drummer Scott Pellegrom put on an energetic set from the start, getting the crowd excited from the moment they took the stage. They took turns for solos, improvising as if at a jam session and easily showing they enjoy what they do just as much as the crowd loved cheering them on. – Matt Marn
Brother Adams, The Stache Stage: The guys in Brother Adams brought an upbeat and contagious sound to the stage, getting a wonderful reaction from the crowd. All four members played their hearts out, exuding an energy that made it hard not to jam along with them. – Molly Stephanak
VIDEO: Jammies 2016 Highlights by David Specht
IMAGES OF THE 2016 JAMMIE AWARDS: LOCAL SPINS PHOTO GALLERY 2
Photos by Anthony Norkus, Anna Sink and Derek Ketchum
Brother Adams loves y’all! 🙂