I Believe in Julio, Way Down Wanderers, Mucca Pazza, Crane Wives, Robin Connell, Eddy Clearwater uncork revelry: Photo Galleries

It was a week of legends, legendary performances and coming-out parties for new ventures and future legends in their respective genres across West Michigan, captured in images at Local Spins.

 

Who says January in West Michigan is a dead time?

Not only has the weather picked up steam (or rather, picked up some frigid, snowy momentum), but venues from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo to the lakeshore this past week fired up new concert series, hosted internationally renowned legends, debuted impressive new/emerging acts, spotlighted fascinating collaborations and/or delivered over-the-top spectacles.

And some of these concerts boasted capacity crowds to boot. Check out the show recaps and photo galleries:

WEDNESDAY JAZZ SERIES

The Harris Building just south of downtown Grand Rapids hosted the first night of a new jazz series featuring the Robin Connell Trio and special guests, with about 40 paid customers christening the upstairs ballroom for the unique weekly affair.

PHOTO GALLERY: Robin Connell Trio & Friends
Photos by Tori Thomas

MITTEN BREWING BENEFIT

Not surprisingly, a fundraiser for injured guitarist/brewer Alexander Atkin at Mitten Brewing Co. on Thursday attracted an uber-capacity crowd of fans, friends and musicians who cheered The Crane Wives, Max Lockwood and more on the jam-packed second floor of the brewery, with thousands of dollars pledged for dozens of items lined up in a silent auction.
PHOTO GALLERY: Alexander Atkin Benefit with The Crane Wives & Special Guests
Photos by Tori Thomas

PYRAMID SCHEME POP-UP SHOWCASE

A “local pop-up showcase” delivered even more than advertised at The Pyramid Scheme on Friday night, with Glassfield, an impressive. audience-pleasing debut by electro-pop artist Alexander Lynch, the ebullient hi-ker and, finally, melodic punk’s I Believe in Julio, which unleashed a volley of deliciously entertaining and energizing new songs.
PHOTO GALLERY: Local Pop-Up Showcase at The Pyramid Scheme
Photos by Katy Batdorff

MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM KICK-OFF

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven launched its new “Music at the Museum” series the same night with Chicago’s Way Down Wanderers and Holland’s Brother Adams, both of whom delighted the sold-out crowd with their unique takes on folk, bluegrass and indie-rock.
PHOTO GALLERY: Music at the Museum with Way Down Wanderers, Brother Adams
Photos by Loren Johnson

ELVIS-BOWIE BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE

Kalamazoo’s The Ghost Bunnies (David Bowie) and West Michigan’s Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys (Elvis Presley) powered up a unique tribute show during the Elvis/Bowie birthday bash Friday at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill.

PHOTO GALLERY: Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, The Ghost Bunnies
Photos by Tori Thomas

EDDY ‘THE CHIEF’ CLEARWATER PRE-BIRTHDAY BASH

The day before his 81st birthday, Chicago blues legend Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater packed Grand Rapids’ Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill on Saturday for a late afternoon show that included both a poignant, emotional interlude after Clearwater learned that a friend had passed away and a celebratory flavor with the West Michigan Blues Society presenting the guitarist with an achievement award.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater
Photos by Anthony Norkus

MUCCA PAZZA’S MUSICAL MAYHEM

Chicago rebel marching band Mucca Pazza did what it does best at The Pyramid Scheme on Saturday night: uncorking a rambunctious, ever-inventive and colorful avant garde show that’s become a trademark for the huge ensemble.
PHOTO GALLERY: Mucca Pazza
Photos by Katy Batdorff

VALENTIGER, MEGAN DOOLEY, MATTHEW BORR AND MORE

Also, Grand Rapids’ Valentiger made a stop Tuesday at the Union Cabaret & Grille in Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo singer Megan Dooley and bassist Delilah DeWylde paired up for a rare and entertaining show at SpeakEZ Lounge for the Local Spins Wednesdays series; and on Saturday, Matthew Borr and The Northern Fires played Kalamazoo’s Old Dog Tavern, while The Ghost Bunnies (returning home after Friday’s show in Grand Rapids) and The Mushmen pumped it out for a big crowd at Louie’s Back Room.

There was more: Check out a separate photo gallery and show recap from Saturday’s Winter Wheat celebration at The Intersection, along with a story and photos of Friday’s play-in contest for the Kalamazoo Fretboard Festival at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.

Copyright 2016, Spins on Music LLC