October means most live music has moved indoors — but certainly not all of it. Local Spins rounds up some of the state’s must-see shows as autumn settles in.
Varied Venues, Varied Styles: From left, Eric Church, Cage the Elephant, Chris Thile make October stops in Michigan. (Photos/Eric Stoike/Chelsea Whitaker/Jamie Geysbeek)
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LOCAL SPINS ROUNDUP VIDEO
Support our coverage of
West Michigan's music scene
While most of the music world moves indoors in October, there’s still an opportunity to revel in Michigan music in the great outdoors courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
And while the biggest names — Eric Church, Tate McRae, Stevie Nicks, Playboi Carti and others — will heat up big arenas across the state, intimate shows with special performances are on tap, too. Check out the must-see roster below and watch the October Local Spins round-up as part of our monthly appearance on EightWest at WOOD TV8 below.
Lets start with two fall series.
October Concerts on Autumn Nights at Meijer Gardens – Eight Michigan artists – Pretoria/Adler & Akansiima Jazz Duo (10/7), Kanin Wren/Caitlin Cusack (10/14), Eric Engblade Band/Selkie (10/21), Charlie Millard Band/Phil Stancil & Friends (Oct. 28) — will perform in two different locations to celebrate the beauty of the season.
Local Spins story/schedule: https://localspins.com/meijer-gardens-resumes-fall-concerts-with-michigan-artists-lighting-up-autumn-nights-local-spins/
Website: https://www.meijergardens.org/autumnnights/
Video of Charlie Millard Band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT1XfWzRirc
The Rebel Eves (Courtesy Photo)
Local Spins Concerts at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids – It’s another top-shelf lineup of Michigan acts to fire things up for the fall: Steve Hilger Blues Trio (10/8), Evidence Jazz (10/19), The Local Commuters (10/22), Garbage Angel (10/24), Tommy Pancy Jazz Jam (10/26), The Rebel Eves (10/29)
Schedule: https://localspins.com/local-spins-wednesdays-speakez-winter-2024/
Local Spins story: https://localspins.com/jazz-musician-tommy-pancy-from-playing-a-75-saxophone-to-hosting-sunday-jazz-jams/
Video of The Rebel Eves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxmpQ-v-Meo
Video of Sunday’s Jazz Jam: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BeMzfgFWY/
MICHIGAN ARENA/CONCERT HALL SHOWS
Eric Church and Marcus King Band at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 10 – It’s his “Free the Machine” tour with Church touring behind a new album, “Evangeline vs The Machine.”
Website: https://www.ericchurch.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UUZykcidqE
Brandon Lake at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct. 11 — Christian worship singer-songwriter Brandon Lake has sold out this Grand Rapids show that’s part of his “King of Hearts” tour, with Franni Cash and Pat Barrett also on the bill. Lake is touring behind his 2025 album, “King of Hearts,” and a new single, “When a Cowboy Prays.”
Cage the Elephant at GLC Live at 20 Monroe on Oct. 19 – The Kentucky-bred rock band is touring behind its 2024 album, “Neon Pill.” Terrific entertainers who follow up the Grand Rapids show with an Oct. 20 stop at Detroit’s Fox Theatre. Website: https://www.cagetheelephant.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgxBIiG5lLI
Tickets: https://www.glcliveat20monroe.com/shows
Mumford & Sons at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. 20 – The British folk-rockers are touring behind their latest studio album, “Rushmere,” with Stephen Sanchez and The Barr Brothers also on the bill. Tickets here: https://www.313presents.com/venue/little-caesars-arena#events
Tate McRae at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. 13 and Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Oct 22 – The dance-pop and R&B star released her “So Close to What” album in February. Alessie Rose will open. Detroit tickets here: https://www.313presents.com/venue/little-caesars-arena#events
Grand Rapids tickets here: https://www.vanandelarena.com/events/2025/tate-mcrae
Playboi Carti’s Tour
Chris Thile at St. Cecilia Music Center on Oct. 23 – This mandolin phenom who’s also part of the bands Nickel Creek and Punch Brothers returns to the stellar acoustic environs of St. Cecilia’s Royce Auditorium. He has a wildly devoted Michigan fan base.
Website: https://www.christhile.com/
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsPKkAXFVn8
Tickets: https://www.scmcgr.org/concerts/chris-thile-2025
Stevie Nicks at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. 28 — This much-delayed tour stop by Stevie Nicks comes after she was supposed to tour and play stadiums with Billy Joel, who was forced to cancel his 2025 tour due to a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Tickets here: https://www.313presents.com/venue/little-caesars-arena#events
Playboi Carti at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. 31 — Atlanta rapper Playboi Carti brings the tour behind his latest album, “MUSIC,” to the Motor City, joined by Ken Carson, Destroy Lonely, Homixide Gang and Apollo Red. Tickets here: https://www.313presents.com/venue/little-caesars-arena#events
UNDER THE RADAR
Feng E at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids on Sunday (10/5) – He’s a Taiwanese ukelele phenom and at the tender age of 18, he’s racked up millions of views on YouTube.
Local Spins story: https://localspins.com/feng-e-set-to-unleash-jaw-dropping-ukulele-magic-in-grand-rapids-hendrix-to-nirvana-local-spins/
Website: https://cprartists.com/fengemusic/
Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/feng-e-tip-top-deluxe-bar-tickets/13783814
Adrian Wright & The Great Let Gos and Chris Bota at The Stray in Grand Rapids on Oct. 11 – This cozy venue on the South Side will feature the uber-talented, hip-hop-hued Adrian Wright along with Chris Bota from Desmond Jones.
Details/Tickets here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1930935311073102
May Erlewine (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
May Erlewine and Packy Lundholm at Wealthy Theatre on Oct. 16 – Michigan’s beloved songbird is touring with Chicago-area producer, musician and songwriter Packy Lundholm. The GR show is hosted by The Pyramid Scheme. (The duo also plays 20 Front Street in Lake Orion on Oct. 15 and Ten Pound Fiddle (University Lutheran Church) in East Lansing on Oct. 17.)
Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/may-erlewine-packy-lundholm-the-wealthy-theatre-tickets/13958404
Lindsay Lou at The Ark in Ann Arbor on Oct. 16, The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Oct. 17 and The Alluvion in Traverse City on Oct. 22 – Another beloved Michigan songbird, Lindsay Lou, brings here “Where You Are” fall tour to Michigan, with Cousin Curtiss also on the bill. (Lindsay Lou also makes two stops in her native Upper Peninsula on Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. Details on her website here.)
Tickets: https://www.ticketweb.com/event/lindsay-lou-baby-where-you-the-pyramid-scheme-tickets/13902044
Kathleen Edwards at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo on Oct. 23 – With her new album, “Billionaire,” earning raves from critics and fans, this Canadian singer-songwriter makes a stop in Kalamazoo.
Tickets: https://events.bellsbeer.com/event/kathleen-edwards/bells-brewery-tours/
LOCAL SPINS ON EIGHTWEST: OCTOBER ROUND-UP
Copyright 2025, Spins on Music LLC
