Meijer Gardens’ Top 5 Concerts and Local Spins’ Top 10 Concert Reviews of All-Time

With Meijer Gardens launching its 2026 summer concerts Wednesday, we asked reviewer Tricia Boot to rank her Top 5 shows of all-time. Plus, view Local Spins’ 10 most popular concert reviews (all venues).

 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This week marks the (official) 14th anniversary of Local Spins and the kickoff to summer concerts at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. So, we asked writer Tricia Boot — our go-to Meijer Gardens reviewer — to rank her Top 5 Meijer Gardens concerts of all-time. And as a bonus, check out Local Spins’ Top 10 concert reviews of all-time, covering performances at all venues and based on reader views.

The Fifth Third Bank Summer Concert series at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park kicks off its 2026 season this Wednesday evening (May 27) with O.A.R.; tickets start at $85, available online here.

Among this year’s 34-date schedule are familiar favorites — The Indigo Girls, The Beach Boys, the aforementioned O.A.R. — plus first-timers, such as Lucy Dacus and Jesse Welles.

Before we dive into another season, here’s a look back at some of my personal favorite performances at the amphitheater. Honorable mention to Rilo Kiley (2025), Orville Peck (2024), Black Pumas (2024), Brandi Carlile (2018) and Grizzly Bear (2013) who didn’t make the official list, but were wonderful nonetheless.

Here are five standouts:

5. First Aid Kit, July 21, 2023: For their debut Meijer Gardens appearance, Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg delivered sweet, sweeping golden melodies and a mesmerizing style, highlighted by a heartbreaking set-closing rendition of “Fireworks” among other favorite tunes. Review: https://localspins.com/first-aid-kit-heals-meijer-gardens-crowd-with-fetching-folk-pop-harmonies-local-spins/

4. Andrew Bird, July 18, 2019: Ever the consummate showman, Bird has yet to deliver a lackluster performance in the Meijer Gardens’ amphitheater but this smoldering setlist — offered up on a stiflingly hot and muggy summer evening — is seared into my memory as some of his best work yet. Review: https://localspins.com/andrew-bird-takes-flight-in-grand-rapids-with-finest-work-yet-local-spins/

3. My Morning Jacket, July 1, 2024: A face-melting, eardrum-rattling psychedelic celebration with an amped crowd, cool lights and incredible musicianship. Review: https://localspins.com/my-morning-jacket-amps-things-up-in-raucous-meijer-gardens-show-local-spins/

2. Tears for Fears, Sept. 26, 2016: Torrential rains and gusty winds did little to dampen spirits at this unforgettable evening of captivating live entertainment. The band — which came to prominence in the ’80s — delivered a nostalgic trip down memory lane in a fun, fresh and this-still-feels-relevant way. Review: https://localspins.com/tears-for-fears-defies-mother-nature-to-romp-through-dance-friendly-nostalgia-laden-grand-rapids-concert/

1. Trombone Shorty, Aug. 22, 2018: Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews is a reliably extraordinary headliner at Meijer Gardens. He knows how to bring the party, and his Voodoo Threauxdown was an extravaganza worthy of the Crescent City. (Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue return to Meijer Gardens on June 15, along with Tank & The Bangas. Get tickets online here.) Review: https://localspins.com/trombone-shorty-and-friends-uncork-titanic-torrent-of-brass-dancing-musicianship-fun/

(Note: Editor John Sinkevics — who covered the first several seasons of Meijer Gardens shows for The Grand Rapids Press and has seen literally hundreds of concerts there — cites appearances by Elvis Costello, Peter Frampton, David Byrne, My Morning Jacket, Levon Helm, Umphrey’s McGee, Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, The War and Treaty, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Bonnie Raitt, Greensky Bluegrass (with Billy Strings) and Grace Potter among his absolute favorites.)

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LOCAL SPINS’ TOP 10 CONCERT REVIEWS

1. Billy Strings revs up hardcore metal mayhem in ‘surprise’ appearance at Grand Rapids club (March 18, 2024) – It was a St. Patrick’s Day performance unlike any other: The Grammy Award-winning bluegrass guitarist turned in his acoustic for an electric axe to wow a jam-packed Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, joining his pals in the metalcore band Flesh and Blood Robot for a much-buzzed-about, very loud evening of shredding and headbanging (that was announced at at the 11th hour).

2. Billy Strings weaves kaleidoscopic bluegrass enchantment in spellbinding hometown show (May 31, 2025) – The hometown hero played two straight nights for enthused capacity crowds at Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena, inspiring celebrations, pre-parties and vendor marketplaces over several days. Theshows, in short, were electrifying.

3. Billy Strings joins Greensky Bluegrass as surprise guest to rev up Meijer Gardens (June 10, 2024) – Considering his rabid and devoted fan base, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the top three concert reviews based on readership would all involve Billy Strings. And this “surprise” appearance with fellow Michiganders Greensky Bluegrass (the expectant buzz began a few hours before the show) didn’t disappoint.

4. Dwight Yoakam, Mavericks bring ‘Brighter Days’ to Kalamazoo with country exuberance (March 28, 2025) – Not only did legendary country artist Dwight Yoakam deliver a memorable, career-spanning set, but this proved to be the The Mavericks’ final Michigan appearance with frontman Raul Malo, who passed away several months later after a battle with cancer.

5. The magic of Hoxeyville 2024 unites festivalgoers for final soiree (Aug. 13, 2024) – It was a poignant but inspiring weekend of regional music at northern Michigan’s final Hoxeyville Music Festival, even though several national headliners pulled out at the 11th hour due to financial issues affecting the event. As musician Seth Bernard put it: “I’ve been inspired by Hoxey for years and will be inspired by Hoxey for years to come.”

6. Jack White transforms Grand Rapids venue into rafter-rattling, rock ‘n’ roll roadhouse (April 16, 2025) – It was a night of epic, adventurous and hyper-energetic rock ‘n’ roll featuring three beloved Michigan natives — Jack White, bassist Dominic John Davis and organist Bobby Emmett — who unleashed a non-stop cavalcade of muscular gems.

7. Billy Strings goes next level with bluegrass hero Sam Bush in surprise St. Cecilia show (March 27, 2026) – I was tipped off about an hour before mandolinist Sam Bush and his band took the stage at the intimate Royce Auditorium (with a crowd of 600 on hand), and was absolutely tickled to see Bush introduce his pal to the shock of many in the audience. Of course, they all proceeded to burn up the stage in furious bluegrass jamming fashion.

8. Phish ignites sold-out Grand Rapids crowd with joyful jams, two-day boost from Billy Strings (Aug. 7 ,2024) — Another fan-inciting, two-night stand that also happened to feature — yup, you guessed it — Ionia County’s favorite son, Billy Strings. It was a jubilant and magical spectacle for jam-band fans.

9. Stevie Wonder entrances and energizes Grand Rapids fans with enduring hits, loving vibe (Oct. 31, 2024) – Considering his lengthy and storied career, it’s incredible that Stevie Wonder played Grand Rapids for just the first time in 2024. But he made the most of that appearance with a massive backing ensemble of musicians and singers, dozens of hits, a loving milieu and a Van Andel Arena audience that embraced him at every turn.

10. Igniting Grand Rapids’ love: Greta Van Fleet comes home to rock fervid fans (May 20, 2024) – It was a Michigan milestone and validation for a hard rock band from Frankenmuth that paid its dues by playing small clubs and venues in its early years, then working up from The Intersection to DeltaPlex Arena and, finally, the 12,000-capacity Van Andel Arena. Diehard fans were treated with a blazing set and mutual admiration from the band: “We love you, Michigan,” declared band member Jake Kiszka.

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