The rock-fueled, veteran singer and guitarist delivered plenty of hits and fan favorites during Monday’s Grand Rapids tour stop. The photo gallery and review at Local Spins.
Back at Meijer Gardens: Melissa Etheridge delivered a 15-song career retrospective on Monday. (Photo/Joshua Tufts)
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The scent of freshly cut grass and the natural surroundings mingled with anticipation in the air, creating a sense of excitement and possibility.
The amphitheater at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park on Monday evening resonated with a vibrant atmosphere that felt both relaxed and energizing.
Conversations and laughter floated through the air as friends and families gathered, finding their perfect spot on the lawn.
ZZ Ward: Opened the evening at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Joshua Tufts)
As the opening act, bluesy singer-songwriter ZZ Ward, took the stage, the milieu rippled with an added buzz of energy. The powerful and rich music resonated through the open air, carried by a gentle breeze. People swayed and danced, their bodies moving freely to the pop/indie artist.
As Melissa Etheridge finally took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause, the palpable excitement sparked by Etheridge’s powerful voice filling the air.
Etheridge kicked off her 15-song set with a fan favorite, “Ain’t It Heavy”, which touches on themes of love, passion and the weight of life’s challenges. The communal energy became electric, with everyone singing along and swaying to the music. It almost felt as if time had slowed down for those magical moments centered around music and the shared joy it brings.
With a raw and dynamic voice, Etheridge delves into deep themes in her music, while also serving as an empowering figure and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Clearly, it provides a space where music unites a diverse group of individuals, creating a sense of belonging and lasting connections.
Throughout Monday’s concert, the atmosphere percolated with a sense of unity and authenticity, with songs such as “Into the Dark” bringing a relaxing energy to the air. The final few numbers, “I’m the Only One” and “Like the Way I Do,” absolutely electrified the crowd, with laughter, applause and shouts of appreciation punctuating each song.
When Etheridge made her debut at Meijer Gardens in 2010, she closed out her fiery performance of rootsy rock by declaring she’d “definitely come back here and do this again.”
She certainly did, creating a symphony of enthusiastic support where strangers became friends, brought together by a shared love for compelling music.
PHOTO GALLERY: Melissa Etheridge, ZZ Ward at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Joshua Tufts
SET LIST: Melissa Etheridge at Meijer Gardens
Setlist.fm
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