March Music Madness: Dropkick Murphys, May Erlewine, Sam Bush, Band Battle photo recap

Local Spins crisscrossed the state for this recap of national touring artists, regional stars, two fundraisers and a competition featuring emerging acts. The images at Local Spins.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: From Ferndale and Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids, Saugatuck and Kalamazoo, it was a hectic week of live shows firing up March. Scroll down for photo and video highlights, along with recap of a Ferndale fundraiser for Michigan artists performing at SXSW in Austin this week.

MAY ERLEWINE (Friday-Sunday)

There once was a time, some 20 years ago, when this up-and-coming, northern Michigan tunesmith with a crystalline voice was known as Daisy May.

These days, May Erlewine ranks as a true superstar of the Great Lakes State’s singer-songwriter scene, inspiring fans at sold-out shows and inspiring a generation of regional artists.

So not surprisingly, her weekend Michigan run behind her new studio album, “The Real Thing,” packed The Ark in Ann Arbor, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo and Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids with devotees entranced by her distinctive voice and captivating songs.

Check out Local Spins photographer Derek Ketchum’s images from the Bell’s show here.

PHOTO GALLERY: May Erlewine at Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo
Photos by Derek Ketchum

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PHOTO GALLERY: Dropkick Murphys, Jesse Ahern, The Rumjacks
GLC Live at 20 Monroe (Sunday)
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker

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PHOTO GALLERY: Circles Around the Sun, Jenny O.
Bell’s Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo (Sunday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum

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JAMES REESER BENEFIT IN SAUGATUCK (Saturday)

On Saturday at Saugatuck’s Sand Bar Saloon, several West Michigan blues bands — and a special guest, Chicago’s award-winning T-Bird Huck — gathered to raise funds for James Reeser Dearborn (of James Reeser & The Backseat Drivers) who’s battling cancer.

Fans who couldn’t attend Saturday’s show can contribute online via GoFundMe.com here.

PHOTO GALLERY: James Reeser Benefit at Sand Bar Saloon
Photos by Veronica Dearborn

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A WIN FOR GRAND RAPIDS’ SHORT PANIC (Saturday)

Diverse and singularly talented, up-and-coming West Michigan artists have thematically marked the first two rounds of The Stray’s 2023 Battle of the Bands being staged this month by the unique coffeehouse.

On Saturday, it was a six-piece, saxophone-infused, progressive funk/rock ensemble that won the evening to move on to the March 25 finals.

Grand Rapids’ Short Panic — Kyle Kuhn on drums, David Ophoff on guitar, Mitchell Evink on bass, Joe Schimmelmann on saxophone, Ben DeWitt on guitar and Megan Meadows on vocals — capitalized on their Grand Rapids Community College Music Program training to deliver an upbeat, audience-pleasing, evening-ending set to outpoll impressive performances by four other acts: Common Molly (punk), Adrian Wright (hip hop), Rabbit Fur (alt-folk) and Van Tassel’s Uncanny Elixir (archaic folk/pop). (The winner was chosen from a combination of judge John Sinkevics’ scores and fan voting.)

Next Saturday, Round 3 will feature sets by Feeding Grizzlies, Maliq Jordan, Odd Space, Jon Hayes and Cordero.

VIDEO: The Stray Battle of the Bands – Round 2

PHOTO GALLERY: The Stray Battle of the Bands
Photos by Local Spins

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PHOTO GALLERY: Sam Bush Band at St. Cecilia Music Center (Friday)
Photos by Jeffrey Wilkinson

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PHOTO GALLERY: Emmet Cohen Trio at St. Cecilia Music Center (Thursday)
Photos by Jeffrey Wilkinson

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PHOTO GALLERY: Annie Capps’ Badass Band of Women
Clover Room in Kalamazoo (Thursday)

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SXSW MICHIGAN FUNDRAISER (Thursday)

A contingent of more than two dozen Michigan acts are showcasing their music this week for Austin’s South by Southwest music festival. Several of them played a fundraiser on Thursday at Ferndale’s The Loving Touch. Here’s writer Meghan Wilcox’s take on that show and the artists’ plans for the Texas trip.

You could feel a buzz in the air at The Loving Touch as eight Michigan musicians came together to play a benefit raising money to help cover travel costs to South by Southwest, with many attending the Austin festival for the first time.

“I’m happy to be able to represent Michigan,” said singer-songwriter Lilly MacPhee, 25. “I’m hoping my music resonates with people, and I’m also looking forward to making some new connections in the Publishing and sync side of the business.”

For others, there’s excitement even if the experience comes with a lot of unknowns.

“Of course there is risk going somewhere and not knowing what to expect, but I hope it goes well for everyone involved,” said Aaron Markovitz, lead singer for Wilson Thicket. “We are there supporting each other and representing Michigan.”

Added Ashley Pyle, who’s been referred to as “Detroit’s Adele”: “My hope is to make an impact on the audience so I can learn and play other artist’s songs in addition to my own. There is always something you can add to someone’s experience, even if it is support and kindness.”

For Detroit’s The Gasoline Gypsies — who were represented by singer Caleb Malooley and guitarist Neal Love at The Loving Touch — “playing on 6th Street (in Austin) is the most exciting part” as the band didn’t get to play there last year.

Michigan contingent organizer Yorg Kerasiotis put it all this way: “There should be a million people watching these artists. We want the most exposure in the smallest amount of time, and SXSW will do that for them.”

Fans who didn’t attend Thursday’s benefit can donate to the cause online at gofundme.com.

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PHOTO GALLERY: Conklin Ceili Band, Selkie at SpeakEZ Lounge (Wednesday)
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker

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