Launched in 2021, the intimate Milwood Neighborhood concert space has hosted wide-ranging shows by local bands and touring acts. The back story at Local Spins.
Creating a ‘Great Music Scene”: The RunOff’s intimate and obliging space. (Photo/Casey Grooten)
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The RunOff, a DIY music venue located on Royce Avenue in the Milwood Neighborhood of Kalamazoo began with a simple realization: The disappearance of venues post-pandemic left a void in the local music scene.
In the wake of COVID-19, many house show venues in Kalamazoo shut their doors permanently, leaving up-and-coming local and touring bands with limited options for performing live.
“There were a lot of DIY venues that didn’t come back after the initial COVID shutdown. So we saw a need there,” says RunOff founder Garrett Yates. “There were a lot of local bands and very few venues.”
Musical Mission: Garrett Yates with his daughter, Effie. (Photo/Casey Grooten)
Yates attended his first basement show just before the pandemic hit, planting the idea to start his own venue. “It had me looking at the layout of my garage, and I was like, ‘Yeah, this would work,’ ” Yates recalls.
In November 2021, The RunOff opened its doors, offering a functional indoor space with a capacity of about 100. The venue quickly began hosting performances ranging from hip hop to folk, but primarily focusing on various subgenres of punk, metal, and hardcore. The lineups at The RunOff showcase local talent as well as touring bands.
From Greet Death to Childbite, from Science Man to Frail Body, The RunOff has hosted an extensive roster of touring bands, alongside Michigan-based acts such as Saturdays at Your Place, Mouthful of Locusts and Disco Behemoth.
Eventually, Yates and his wife Rachel Yates would like to open “a larger venue where we can continue to help bands and the music community flourish,” the couple says.
To financially support their future objective, The RunOff launched a Patreon page. “Our short term goal is to reach the milestone of 100 pledged patrons,” the Yates shared. On The RunOff Patreon page, perks include live performance recordings.
Launched as a response to a local music venue need, The RunOff has transformed into a guide on how to create an open, affirming and safe DIY music space.
“The RunOff is not a basement show, but it’s a house show, and it’s a punk rock, metal, alternative (space). Gay, trans, everybody feels welcome here, and it’s just a great music scene,” insists Marty Burgess, a frequent door person at the venue and longtime local music lover.
Get more information about The RunOff and upcoming shows online here and check out their Instagram feed here. Contact Yates at therunoffbooking@gmail.com.
PHOTO GALLERY: The RunOff
Photos by Casey Grooten
