September’s big shows roll out mostly as the final flurry of outdoor events gracing Michigan’s musical landscape. Our Top 10 list, plus a photo recap of TLC and Salt-N-Pepa.
‘Shake Your Thang’: Salt-N-Pepa on stage at Acrisure Amphitheater on Thursday. (Photo/Adam Briggs)
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO, TLC/SALT-N-PEPA PHOTO GALLERY
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It might seem like it just started, but one of the busiest summers for live music is now beginning to wane.
But the final mega-month of outdoor shows and festivals still has plenty of zip and plenty to offer music lovers, as evidenced by Thursday’s tour stop by TLC and Salt-N-Pepa at Grand Rapids’ Acrisure Amphitheater.
As for the rest of the month, here’s our Top 10 list of must-see shows and festivals, along with some “Under the Radar” picks to whet your musical appetite as Labor Day weekend unfolds.
1. Wheatland Music Festival – Sept. 11-13 – The granddaddy of Michigan music festivals in Remus boasts international stars such as Lost Bayou Ramblers, Mary Gauthier and Steel Wheels along with many Michigan acts: Mark Lavengood, Silver Creek Revival, Molly, Sweet Dee & The Wild Honeys and i.am.james. Read more about i.am.james and get the full festival schedule at Local Spins here.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6T0IEYlf64
Website: https://www.wheatlandmusic.org/Online/Online/Events/Wheatland-Music-Festival.aspx
2. Sounds of the Zoo in Kalamazoo – Sept. 21-27 – The fifth annual event taking place at venues across Kalamazoo boasts a bevy of Michigan acts: Grace Theisen Band, Myron Elkins, The Go Rounds, Basic Comfort, Great Lakes Brass, BLKJAC, Erin Monroe, Candid Antics, Headband Henny, Kylee Phillips and many more performing at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe, Old Dog Tavern, Bronson Park, The Clover Room and elsewhere. An amazing way to explore Kalamazoo and some of the state’s most talented artists.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxzO1z1KiF0
Website: https://www.soundsofthezoo.com/
The Go Rounds: The Kalamazoo band will be back for Sounds of the Zoo. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAmFRSV1Rrw
Website: https://michiganirish.org/
4. Pitbull with Lil Jon at Acrisure Amphitheater – Sept. 10 – The dance-pop-Latin-rap star makes his Acrisure debut on his “I’m Back” tour, with rapper Lil Jon also in the house. The Acrisure warning: “Chairs will not be permitted for this show due to increased standing and dancing expected on the lawn.” Just goes to show you what to expect. By the way, Pitbull has a new album coming out next month: “Pitcoin”
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VkLBH2yHvw
Website/Tickets: https://www.acrisureamphitheater.com/events/2026/pitbull
5. Shakey Graves at Meijer Gardens – Sept. 18 – The final concert in the 2026 summer series features Americana star Shakey Graves in a rescheduled show at the amphitheater. The Texas artist is touring behind his new album, “Fondness, etc.” (Also at Meijer Gardens in September: Switchfoot, Indigo Girls, Punch Brothers.)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCw-DxAHz10
Website/Tickets: https://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/concerts/
6. Mumford and Sons at Acrisure Amphitheater – Sept. 22 – Mumford and Sons have become an international folk-rock phenomenon and return to GR for their Acrisure debut on tour behind their album, “Prizefighters.” Once again: No Chairs! Opening the show will be the Marcus King Band.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbIM97uzGog
Website/Tickets: https://www.acrisureamphitheater.com/events/2026/mumford–sons
Elvis Costello & The Imposters; Playing Mukegon this month. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMB1Nc0LEWY
Website/Tickets: https://frauenthal.org/event/elvis-costello-the-imposters-with-charlie-sexton/
8. Devo and B-52s at Acrisure Amphitheater – Sept. 19 – Talk about a retro show. This writer saw Devo in Detroit in 1978. Should be great fun, with Devo’s goofy hats and new wave/post-punk approach and B-52s “Love Shack,” etc.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laanVUWxkP89
Website/Tickets: https://www.acrisureamphitheater.com/events/2026/the-b-52s–devo-cosmic-de-evolution-tour
9. Eastown Street Fair – Sept. 19 – In Eastown off Wealthy Street – Crazy how many people show up for this event with local arts and crafts vendors, live music and more. PotatoeBabies (a mainstay) and more will perform.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXW_ZdeO1O0
Website: https://www.eastown.org/events
10. Sophia McIntosh & The Sages – Sept. 30 at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids — This is the kickoff to the fall edition of the Local Spins Wednesdays and Fridays series at SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids. Another great lineup, starting with this young, super-talented singer and her young super-talented indie-rock/pop band. (The full fall schedule will be announced next week.)
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6RpYX_Wyuw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeakEZlounge
UNDER THE RADAR PICKS
Sept. 11 – An evening with The Claudettes at Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids – One of Local Spins’ favorite bands, Chicago’s The Claudettes deliver blues and R&B with a rollicking “punk spirit.” Get tickets here.
Pokey LaFarge (Photo/Eric Stoike)
Sept. 16 – Pokey LaFarge and Cicada Rhythm at Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo – Americana/roots/jazz/country musician Pokey LaFarge has cultivated a devoted following over the years. He returns to fire up his West Michigan fans after releasing a new single, “Hambone,” last month. Tickets here.
Sept. 16 – Bilmuri at GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Metalcore, pop-punk and countrycore star Bilmuri brings his “Kinda Hard Tour” to Grand Rapids in mid-September. Local Spins writer/photographer Chelsea Whitaker recently interviewed drummer and Grand Rapids native Zach Dubay about touring with Bilmuri. Stay tuned for that exclusive story at Local Spins later this month. Get concert tickets here.
Sept. 18 – Bowling for Soup at The Intersection’s Elevation in Grand Rapids – This Texas pop-punk/power pop outfit mixes a ton of humor into its music, and is kicking off its tour in Grand Rapids. “Nobody leaves a Bowling for Soup show without a huge smile on their face,” the promotional material declares. Tickets here. Ballyhoo! and rosecoloredworld open the show.
Sept. 27 – Jervis Campbell and Nathan Colberg at The Big Room in Grand Rapids in a show hosted by The Pyramid Scheme – The Nashville-based folk-pop and CCM star is on a tour promiting his latest album, “Good Grief!” Tickets here. (By the way, another hot show: Amigo the Devil, with its gothic country and dark folk, has sold out The Pyramid Scheme tour stop on Sept. 24.)
VIDEO: Local Spins September Round-Up at WOOD TV8’s EIGHTWEST
PHOTO GALLERY: TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, DJ Dubz at Acrisure Amphitheater
Photos by Adam Briggs
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