In many ways, it really was the “Start of Summer” as Rockford proclaimed (a few days early) what with national tour stops and local favorites. The recaps, photos, video at Local Spins.
Strong Rapport With Fans: Ben Bridwell and Band of Horses at Kalamazoo State Theatre. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Band of Horses proved “things are still great” with a carefree live show Saturday at the Kalamazoo State Theatre.
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The folk-rock quintet started their 95-minute set with a poignant performance of “Monsters” from their 2006 debut album, “Everything All The Time.”
Frontman Ben Bridwell’s relaxed stage presence and warm vocals put the crowd at ease as the band seamlessly played alongside him for 19 songs. They revisited some of Band of Horses’ most notable songs from their six-album catalog, including “Is There a Ghost,” “Casual Party,” “NW Apt.,” “Warning Signs,” “Laredo,” “Crutch,” “Older,” and more.
The somber ballad, “No One’s Gonna Love You,” is an enduring fan favorite that invited the crowd to harmonize with Bridwell. It wasn’t long before Bridwell felt the audience’s receptive vibe and continued building a strong rapport with them throughout the show. He remarked often about how welcoming the theatre and crowd had been with him and the band.
Guitarist-keyboardist-vocalist Ryan Monroe also joked about how “two people,” or a pair of the historic theatre’s statues near the balcony, had been staring at them since soundcheck.
Band of Horses closed their show with a two-song encore, including a stirring cover of INXS’s 1988 hit, “Never Tear Us Apart,” and the powerful ballad, “The Funeral.”
Stephen Marley: An ‘Old Soul.’ (Photo/Eric Stoike)
Band of Horses fans also received a special treat with opener Ally Evenson. The Detroit indie-rocker and Assemble Sound artist performed an honest and vulnerable 35-minute solo set with tracks from her 2023 EP, “In My Dreams, You Laugh at Me.” She shared a new song, “Virtual Bottle,” and said she’s been recording her debut album in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, in Grand Rapids the same night, Stephen Marley brought his “Old Soul Unplugged” tour to The Intersection, inducing a sing-along from fans and oozing “a very positive vibe in the building,” according to photographer Jeff Brinn. “Stephen is a very kind soul, that’s for sure.”
At the same time, The Intersection’s Stache was all about Grand Rapids psych-rock band Crooked Spires, which regaled fans with help from Luck Plunge, The Mannequins and Secret Satan.
And just 15 miles to the north, Rockford hosted its Start of Summer celebration with several regional bands playing multiple stages — from Project 90 on Main Street to Trixy Tang in the Lions’ Tent to Flashback in the Rotary Pavilion. At Rockford Brewing, meanwhile, Hazy Past fired up its tribute to Pink Floyd, complete with a jam-packed crowd and video backdrop. Video highlights below, along with photo galleries from all of those weekend shows.
PHOTO GALLERY: Band of Horses, Ally Evenson at Kalamazoo State Theatre
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Stephen Marley at The Intersection
Photos by Eric Stoike and Jeff Brinn
PHOTO GALLERY: Crooked Spires at The Stache
Photos by Eric Stoike
