Local Spins recaps the final chapter in State Theatre’s legacy, the inaugural ‘Sounds Like Michigan’ concert, Wreckno, Neil Francis, SunSquabi and more from across the region. Photos, video.
Ari B: The Detroit R&B singer made her Grand Rapids debut at Wealthy Theatre on Saturday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
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In Kalamazoo, Saturday night marked the end of an era as the historic State Theatre hosted its final concert — with the venue seeking new owners in hopes of eventually reopening.
In Grand Rapids the same night, the Michigan Music Alliance launched something new at the equally historic Wealthy Theatre, training the spotlight on three Michigan artists and ushering in a new era for the nonprofit organization that works to educate and improve the lot of the state’s working musicians.
The shows wrapped up another week of varied regional concerts that included Chicago’s Neil Francis pumping up The Intersection’s Elevation, followed by Michigan’s own attention-getting Wreckno, and Colorado dance/electronic outfit SunSquabi lighting up Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe.
Browse the photo galleries and recaps below.
SOUNDS LIKE MICHIGAN AT WEALTHY THEATRE
Julio Villalobos of Grand Rapids Latin rock mainstay Cabildo talked about the “spirit” of music from Latin America and elsewhere that’s inspired the band to share its infectious, dance-igniting songs with Michigan audiences.
Jacob Betts, frontman for alt-rock’s The American Hotel System, insisted that “words are important” — what we say, what we sing.
And Nicholas Thomasma, interim executive director of the nonprofit Michigan Music Alliance, praised the “community” that propels Michigan’s music scene and the need to continue building that collective of talented artists.
Cabildo: The band had some folks up and dancing. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
With performances by Cabildo, The American Hotel System and Detroit R&B singer Ari B highlighting the evening at Grand Rapids’ Wealthy Theatre, the inaugural “Sounds Like Michigan” concert and fundraiser regaled a small-but-enthused crowd on Saturday, with a silent auction, raffle and merchandise sales further supporting the Michigan Music Alliance and its mission to educate and nurture the state’s working musicians.
The evening started with a lively and heartfelt acoustic concert by The American Hotel System in the lobby for VIPs. The alt-rock foursome — boasting a new single and a 2023 EP, “Can You Hear It?” — would later open the concert proper in the Wege Theater to a crowd dancing and singing along with lead singer Betts.
Later in the evening, Motor City R&B and soul singer Ari B dazzled the crowd with her smooth vocals, performing a mix of original songs and contemporary classics, at one point bringing her son on stage to sing with her. Displaying engaging high energy from the stage, Ari B has been featured on SoFar Sounds and releases a new single in December.
Closing out the night was Latin rock/cumbia/ska band Cabildo, whose local and regional presence has been a mainstay in West Michigan for years. Their latest release, “Post Jarocho,” is a three-song EP packed to the rafters with powerful vocals, stunning guitar and brass sections, and a collective energy that perfectly follows their 2018 debut album, “Sin Fronteras.” When headliners Frontier Ruckus had to drop out of the fundraiser last minute due to a COVID diagnosis, each of the three billed acts filled in admirably with very little notice, allowing the night to continue with seamless energy. Cabildo closed the night with more energy than I’ve seen with a crowd twice as large. – By Virginia Anzengruber and John Sinkevics
(NOTE: Bidding on the MMA’s silent auction items — from festival tickets to CDs/vinyl and more in a Local Spins gift pack to a Taylor mini-guitar — continues for another week. Bid online at michiganmusicalliance.org.)
PHOTO GALLERY: Sounds Like Michigan at Wealthy Theatre
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
ALMOST QUEEN, LISA CAN’T SING AT KALAMAZOO STATE THEATRE
It was a bittersweet, emotional night in Kalamazoo.
A near sell-out crowd — featuring some fans experiencing the venue for the first time along with many well-seasoned concertgoers — packed Kalamazoo State Theatre for its final show for the foreseeable future as the venue seeks new owners to take over operations.
An Emotional Farewell: The crowd at State Theatre. (Photo/Derek Ketchum)
With the Almost Queen tribute band and Kalamazoo’s Lisa Can’t Sing on stage, fans seemed just as enamored of the true star of the evening: the gorgeous and historic downtown venue itself, taking selfies in front of the marquee outside and the concert hall inside.
Despite attendees’ sadness and disappointment, the impressive turnout for Saturday night’s show exuded a feeling of optimism that community support for the 97-year-old theater would eventually allow its legacy to continue.
Many sang and danced throughout the night, savoring every moment of the beloved theatre’s final soiree.
PHOTO GALLERY: Almost Queen, Lisa Can’t Sing at Kalamazoo State Theatre
Photos by Derek Ketchum
PHOTO GALLERY: Neil Francis at Elevation (The Intersection)
Photos by Steve Baran
