It started Monday with a farewell Kalamazoo show and continued through a resplendent week of weather for outdoor shows in Rockford, at Meijer Gardens, Studio Park and Bell’s Beer Garden. Photo recaps.
Steppin’ Up at Bell’s: Joshua Davis and Steppin’ In It played the Beer Garden on Friday night. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
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One band — Philly rock outfit mewithoutyou — started the week by saying goodbye to its Michigan fans.
Another — Grand Rapids’ Desmond Jones — wrapped up the work week by saying ‘Hello’ to a welcoming “Listening Lawn” concert at Studio Park in downtown Grand Rapids with Elijah Russ Collective getting it all started.
Bidding Adieu: Mewithoutyou at Bell’s on Monday. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
As fan Jess Peterson put it from her blanket on the piazza at Studio Park: “It’s more fun to be outside and be in nature than to be enclosed.”
Yes, the cozy atmosphere, comfortable weather and playful, upbeat songs from genre-bending rock band Desmond Jones made the show feel more like a summer backyard party with friends than a ticketed event.
With folks moving close to the stage to dance, the band even introduced an energetic new single, “Bunker,” set to be released on Monday.
At the same time on Friday night, the iconic, rootsy Michigan band Steppin’ In It and “Michigan songbird” May Erlewine returned to Bell’s Beer Garden in Kalamazoo on what was described as a “perfect night.”
Lying Down on the Job: Part of a fun night for Desmond Jones. (Photo/Holly Holtzclaw)
That ideal evening ranged from Erlewine’s fetching originals, covers and anecdotes to Steppin’ In It’s crowd-pleasing set that included guest appearances by Erlewine and singer Jen Sygit.
Earlier in the week, resplendent weather greeted fans reveling in world music strains at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park for Tuesday Evening Music Club — with Samuel Nalangira Trio and Sharon Katz — as well as a tribute to Janis Joplin for the Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford, starring Kosmic Mama & The Holding Co.
Local Spins was there at all of these venues to capture the week of action in photos.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mewithoutyou, Why? at Bell’s Beer Garden in Kalamazoo (Monday)
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Samuel Nalangira Trio, Sharon Katz, Goat Trip (Tuesday)
Tuesday Evening Music Club at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Holly Holtzclaw
PHOTO GALLERY: Kosmic Mama & The Holding Co. (Tuesday)
Rogue River Blues Series in Rockford
Photos by Anna Sink
