For the second summer, Studio Park will host outdoor concerts starring Michigan artists, including Jack Droppers, Joshua Davis, Last Gasp Collective, Luke Winslow-King and Earth Radio.
Listening Lawn Kickoff: Electronic duo Pink Sky headlines the June 3 concert. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The Accidentals, Pink Sky, Earth Radio, Jack Droppers, Joshua Davis and other Michigan favorites will play this summer’s outdoor “Listening Lawn” series at Grand Rapids’ Studio Park, hosted by Listening Room starting in early June.
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Since onset of the COVID pandemic, it marks the second year that Listening Room has moved its concerts outdoors, with organizers requiring masks and social distancing for attendees on the downtown piazza south of Van Andel Arena.
“We always envisioned an outdoor piazza space for folks to gather, and this summer – just like last – we are very grateful to have this safe outdoor space for entertainment during this awful pandemic,” Quinn Mathews, Listening Room general manager and talent buyer told Local Spins.
Earth Radio (Photo/Pennie Spence)
“We’re hopefully headed in the right direction for indoor shows to be able to take place by early fall, so until then, we’ve missed putting on shows and will utilize this outdoor space with state-of-the-art audio.”
The 2021 series kicks off June 3 with a set of artists “handpicked” by Grand Rapids’ hip hop artist Lady Ace Boogie, who also runs Lady Ace Boogie Presents: electronic duo Pink Sky, progressive neosoul band Earth Radio and one-man-band The Brandino Extravaganza.
“I am extremely grateful and excited that they trust me to kick things off the right way, I’m so excited I can barely contain myself,” said Linda Tellis, aka Lady Ace Boogie. “As we all know, the past year-and-a-half has been extremely tough, so I hope people come out and catch these vibes because there will be plenty.”
Tellis called herself “a huge fan” of all three artists on the opening bill. “This lineup will go down as a classic. All we need is for the people to show up and support the art. We will do the rest.”
AN ALBUM-RELEASE, A PARTNERSHIP WITH MICHIGAN HOUSE AND A DRAG SHOW
June 18 will feature a special album-release show for Grand Rapids rock band Jack Droppers & The Best Intentions, who are unfurling their third studio album, “Dad Rock.”
Other artists on the docket include Kalamazoo’s Last Gasp Collective (June 24), Grand Rapids Americana/roots rock band Brother Elsey (July 1), Traverse City’s alt-folk trio The Accidentals (July 8), singer-songwriter Joshua Davis (July 30), Cadillac native and blues/folk/Americana star Luke Winslow-King (Aug. 12) and The Insiders Tom Petty Tribute (Aug. 26).
Joshua Davis (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
The series also will partner with Michigan House – an organization that’s hosted a pop-up venue for years at Austin’s South by Southwest – to showcase artists from the east side of the state once a month, starting June 10.
And on Aug. 6, Listening Lawn will feature “Get Reel: A Cinematic Drag Show,” hosted by Ginger Ambrosia.
Like last summer, Listening Room will require minimum purchase of two or four tickets for each concert, with attendees bringing their own lawn chairs for seating in their own socially distanced section on the piazza.
Doors open at 6:30 pm., with full bar service available via One Twenty Three Tavern.
Tickets for the June 3 show headlined by Pink Sky are $70 per pair; for the June 18 Jack Droppers concert, $40 per pair. Get more details online at listeningroomgr.com. Parking is available next door at the Studio Park garage.
Revisit coverage of 2020 Listening Lawn shows at Local Spins.
Bird’s Eye View: The scene at a 2020 Listening Lawn show at Studio Park. (Photo/Anthony Norkus)
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