The mid-September celebration in Muskegon boasts international stars and regional faves. Get the preview and listen to this week’s Michigan Music Showcase featuring acts at September festivals and concerts.
Irish Music Fans Galore: They’ll be back at Muskegon’s Heritage Landing next week. (Photo/Tim Reilly)
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West Michigan singer and multi-instrumentalist Toby Bresnahan calls the Michigan Irish Music Festival “the pinnacle of my music performance year. I’m always completely honored and excited when I get the call.”
For a regional act such as Grand Rapids-area world music trio Whorled, the four-day celebration “has been sort of the Holy Grail of music festivals,” says band member Thom Jayne, noting that the group opens the festival at 5:15 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 11) on the Pub Stage.
Bresnahan and Whorled will get a chance to rub elbows with some Celtic music royalty during this year’s festival at Heritage Landing in Muskegon, with renowned international artists Skerryvore, Lunasa, Socks in the Frying Pan and Runa along with regional favorites Conklin Ceili Band, Ironwood, CrossBow, Ruth & Max Bloomquist and many more.
“My advice is, if you’ve never attended the Michigan Irish Music Festival, you’re missing out on one of the best organized and run festivals in the United States,” said Bresnahan, who’s performed at the festival four times as a solo artist and more than a half-dozen times with the group Peat in the Creel.
Toby Bresnahan: Performing again at the Michigan Irish Music Festival. (Courtesy Photo)
“The typical September weather is always magical and is the perfect setting to enjoy the food, drink and soak up the amazing music. I have so many wonderful memories from MIMF festivals past but, I’d have to say my favorite parts are seeing old friends and making new friends and fans. I’ve managed to develop some lasting friendships with the musicians and festival committee members and folks who’ve run the festival over the years.”
Bresnahan performs at 5:30 p.m. Friday (Sept. 12) on the Grafton Stage, and at 11:15 a.m. Saturday (Sept. 13) on the Cork Stage.
“The bands and musicians are world-class, and many have been powerful inspirations to my own music,” Bresnahan said of each year’s lineup. “It’s quite an indescribable feeling to share the bill with iconic groups like Andy Irvine, Lúnasa, Old Blind Dogs and far too many more to even recall.”
Bresnahan, who released a Celtic music collection, “All in Good Time,” in 2023, is working on another traditional Irish music album with plans for releasing it later this year or in early 2026.
Crossbow (Photo/John Sinkevics)
MICHIGAN IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL: THE ESSENTIALS
WHEN: Thursday-Sunday (Sept. 11-14)
WHERE: Heritage Landing, Muskegon
WEBSITE: https://michiganirish.org/
THE LINEUP: Lunasa, Runa, Skerryvore, Socks in the Frying Pan, Goitse, Ally the Piper, Blackthorn, Ironwood, Seamus Kennedy, Conklin Ceili Band, Elias Alexander, Ruth & Max Bloomquist, CrossBow, Old Blind Dogs, One for the Foxes, Reverie Road, Screaming Orphans and many more. Full lineup and schedule here. You can also download a free festival app.
TICKETS: Four-day pass, $70; children 12 and younger, free; Thursday pub preview pass, $10; Friday pass, $25; Saturday pass, $40; Sunday pass, $20. Get tickets online here.
MICHIGAN IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 2025: THE SCHEDULE
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
This week’s Michigan Music Showcase features music from Brian Oberlin, John E. Lawrence, The Rebel Eves, Ed Dupas, Toby Bresnahan, The Bootstrap Boys, Sweet Dee & The Wild Honeys, Quinn XCII, Louie Lee, Basic Comfort, Sav Madigan (with Alicia Stockman), Rin Tarsy and Empress Eyes.
The Michigan Music Showcase airs at 11 a.m. Fridays and 5 p.m. Sundays on WYCE (88.1 FM) and online at wyce.org, and on Interlochen Public Radio at 7 p.m. Saturdays.
PODCAST: Local Spins Michigan Music Showcase (9/5/25)
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
