Grand Rapids-area music fans embraced a mix of audience-engaging concerts, including a triumphant tour stop by O.A.R. at Meijer Gardens and the final Blues on the Grand concert of the summer.
Shining Brightly: O.A.R. on stage Thursday at Meijer Gardens. (Photo/Steve Baran)
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Another sold-out show at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, another fan-pleasing display for a band with an uber-devoted audience.
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On a cooler than usual evening, O.A.R. made its triumphant return to Meijer Gardens on Thursday night.
The longstanding alt-rock band performed a riveting career-spanning set of originals. With the inclusion of saxophone and steel drums, the music became a portal of tropical vibes with themes of love and unity.
Frontman Marc Roberge’s voice was crystal clear and endearing throughout.
Song highlights included “About an Hour Ago,” which came at request from a 10-year-old fan, the ever-danceable “Hey Girl” and “City on Down,” a funky, spirited cut about good times and good people.
As fan Linnae Satterlee put it, “It was a great concert!”
Blues Fans on the Grand: The scene at Ah-Nab-Awen Park for Jake Kershaw. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
It wasn’t the only audience-engaging affair in Grand Rapids that night.
At Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids, young Marshall-based blues-rock guitarist Jake Kershaw — with opening act Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps — fired up a big crowd for WLAV-FM’s final “Blues on the Grand” show of the summer.
And just down the road, Michigan native and singer-songwriter Rachael Davis delivered an entertaining, witty and multi-instrumental mix of tunes at Grand Rapids’ Listening Room.
The weekend also boasted a 5th anniversary celebration at Comstock Park’s Bier Distillery on West River Drive, with a host of bands performing Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Plus, check out separate Local Spins reviews/photo galleries of Skelletones reopening and the inaugural West Michigan Songwriter’s Festival.
PHOTO GALLERY: O.A.R. and Nate Holley at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Steve Baran
PHOTO GALLERY: Jake Kershaw, Patty PerShayla & The Mayhaps at Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Rachael Davis at Listening Room
Photos by Anna Sink
