The Big List (Dec. 26-31): Greta Van Fleet, The Accidentals, Seth Bernard, Billy Strings, Mustard Plug, Tom Petty Tribute, Joe Hertler, Desmond Jones, New Year’s Eve hoopla

Bid adieu to 2017 and usher in the new year with gargantuan shows and parties hosted by some of the Michigan music scene’s biggest stars.

 

THE BIG LIST: Dec. 26-31

For an expanded list of upcoming shows at West Michigan venues, check out The REALLY Big List at Local Spins. Have concert listings you think deserve to be spotlighted? Email date, time, ticket prices, location and details to liz@localspins.com.

LOCAL SPINS WEDNESDAY:
BRIAN OBERLIN & FRIENDS
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday
Admission: Free
Where: SpeakEZ Lounge, Grand Rapids

This special mid-holiday, mid-week show is sure to warm folks up for all that New Year’s hoopla still to come.

Brian Oberlin & Friends not only features the world-class talents of mandolinist Brian Oberlin of Grasshoppah fame, but top-flight West Michigan musicians Luke Gitchel, Chris Carr and Dan Giacobassi will join him on stage for an evening of rollicking, bluegrass-expanding fun.

Local Spins Wednesdays are presented by SpeakEZ Lounge, Local Spins, Perrin Brewing Company and WYCE. As always, there are Michigan beer specials on tap, free parking in the lot kitty-corner from SpeakEZ on Monroe Avenue NW and Local Spins 2018 Calendars for sale (with a free local CD given away with every order).

MUSTARD PLUG HOLIDAY SHOW
When: 6:45 p.m. Thursday
Tickets: $12 advance, $14 day of show
Where: The Intersection, Grand Rapids

Mustard Plug is back yet again with another robust rock/ska/punk holiday show, this one also featuring the likes of Koffin Kats, Bong Mountain, The Sailor Kicks and Dance Contraption, with doors opening at 6 p.m. This all-ages show is always a rambunctious affair, and a great warm-up to New Year’s Eve hoopla coming up over the weekend. (Mustard Plug follows this with holiday shows in Chicago and Detroit.)

Get tickets and details online at sectionlive.com. By the way, Mustard Plug is one of 24 bands featured in the Local Spins 2018 Calendar. Order yours online here.

BILLY STRINGS
When: 9 p.m. Thursday
Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day of show
Where: Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café, Grand Rapids

Emerging national bluegrass star Billy Strings returns to his home state with his top-drawer band of musicians for an evening of bluegrass fire as he continues to tour behind his new full-length solo album, “Turmoil & Tinfoil.”

The Kalamazoo show comes before Billy Strings, aka William Apostol, joins Kalamazoo-bred Greensky Bluegrass for a two-night stand at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago. Read more about Billy and listen to his music in this Local Spins story from November: ‘I’ll never stop’: Billy Strings brandishes ceaseless bluegrass passion in Grand Rapids

HANNAH ROSE & THE GRAVESTONES
OLIVIA MAINVILLE & THE AQUATIC TROUPE
When: 9:30 p.m. Thursday
Admission: Free
Where: Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids

This is the official EP-release show for Hannah Rose & The GravesTones’ brand new recording, “Awake in a Dream,” which already has earned lots of airplay and attention at WYCE (88.1 FM) in Grand Rapids. The Founders show also is one of the first major shows featuring the new GravesTones lineup, so expect a rollicking night of music.

Opening will be indie-folk’s Olivia Mainville & The Aquatic Troupe, which just released a new single. Get more information online at foundersbrewing.com.

THE LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS
JESSE RAY & THE CAROLINA CATFISH
When: 9 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $15 advance, $18 week of show
Where: Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids

With their rockabilly, psychobilly and Southern Gothic vibe, the Legendary Shack Shakers have earned a reputation for an “irreverent, revisionist, dangerous and fun” approach “led by their charismatic, rail-thin frontman and blues-harpist JD Wilkes.” The band unleashes “explosive interpretations of the blues, punk, rock and country.”

Opening this show will be Grand Rapids’ own rockabilly/blues faves Jesse Ray & The Carolina Catfish. Get tickets and details online here.

GRETA VAN FLEET
GOODBYE JUNE
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: SOLD OUT
Where: The Intersection, Grand Rapids

Michigan’s hottest young rock ‘n’ roll act returns to Grand Rapids, this time playing a sold-out show in the main showroom of The Intersection (compared to the much smaller The Stache the last time these boys rolled into town). With its Led Zep vibe, Greta Van Fleet has garnered the attention of media outlets across the globe and sold out venues everywhere the band from Frankenmuth has played as of late.

The boys are touring behind their latest double-EP, “From the Fires,” after racking up more than 6.5 million views on YouTube of the video for its single, “Highway Tune.” Nashville rock band and Interscope Records artist Goodbye June opens the show. (Read more about Greta Van Fleet later this week at Local Spins.) By the way, Greta Van Fleet is one of 24 bands featured in the Local Spins 2018 Calendar. Order yours online here.

A TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Tickets: $10
Where: The Pyramid Scheme, Grand Rapids

A superstar band of Michigan musicians/singers has organized this tribute to the late Tom Petty as a benefit for Safe Haven Ministries. Performers include May Erlewine, Karisa Wilson, Max Lockwood and Lucas Wilson, with Phil Barry, Mike Lynch, Daine Hammerle and Joe VanAcker.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and listen to Local Spins on WYCE at 11 a.m. Friday, when we’ll debut a Petty track recorded by this local super-group. Tickets/details online at pyramidschemebar.com.

SETH GLIER
When: 8 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $25-$35 (Sunday is SOLD OUT)
Where: Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake

Singer-songwriter Seth Glier returns to his favorite West Michigan haunt, Seven Steps Up, for two straight nights in the primo, vibrant listening room. The Massachusetts-based Glier, whose music spans folk and pop, is touring behind his latest album, “Birds,” follows up Saturday’s concert with a New Year’s Eve party at Seven Steps Up. (He also plays The Ark in Ann Arbor on Thursday.)

Check online for tickets here. The New Year’s Eve show includes appetizers, dinner, concert, dessert and champagne.

LA FAMIGLIA
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday
Admission: $10
Where: Billy’s Lounge, Grand Rapids

Billed as “Mike G’s New Year’s Party,” Mike G and La Famiglia play the final Saturday of 2017 with DJ Omega Supreme and special guest DJ R2C2. Get more info at billyslounge.com.

This show is wedged in between two other big parties – Friday’s GR Soul Club appearance with a DJ Snax vinyl set and a Sunday New Year’s Eve show, aka “A Radical ‘80s NYE,” at Billy’s Lounge.

THE ACCIDENTALS, JAKE ALLEN, STEPHIE JAMES
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Admission: $10
Where: Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids

Traverse City’s The Accidentals have enjoyed a monumental year in 2017, so they’re celebrating in a monumental way: playing two straight nights at Founders Brewing Co., with Jake Allen and Stephie James also performing. And they really up the ante on New Year’s Eve by adding The Crane Wives to Sunday night’s musical festivities. (There are no advance tickets for these shows; it’s a $10 cover at the door on the day of the show.)

This is liable to be a jam-packed affair both nights as The Accidentals, who released their major label album, “Odyssey,” earlier this year toast the end of 2017 with a gaggle of their musical friends. Get details online at foundersbrewing.com.

JOE HERTLER & THE RAINBOW SEEKERS
When: 9:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: $25-$50 (Sunday is SOLD OUT)
Where: Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Café, Kalamazoo

Michigan’s uber-popular anthemic pop/rock/dance band Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers take up a two-night residency at Bell’s Brewery to close out the year, with Nashon Holloway also on the bill for Saturday night’s show and Jacob Sigman on Sunday night. Sunday’s New Year’s Eve show is also dubbed “’90s Night” and already has sold out.

Hertler and his entertaining crew have been touring behind their latest album, “Pluto,” and head back out on a national tour in January. Get tickets and details for Saturday’s show online at bellsbeer.com.

KALAMAZOO NEW YEAR’S FEST
When: 5:30 p.m.-midnight Sunday
Admission Buttons: $7 advance, $10 day of show at Bronson Park
Where: Downtown Kalamazoo

Once again, this “all-ages showcase of performing arts” revs up New Year’s Eve in downtown Kalamazoo with a smorgasbord of entertainment – live music, magic, comedy, exhibitions, fireworks and food. And yes, there’s a ball drop to accompany those fireworks at midnight in Bronson Park.

It all starts with “Tuba New Year” on the Bronson Park Stage at 5:30 with 30-plus “heavy metal” players performing. After that performances take place at several different locations and churches, with sets by Denise Davis & The Motor City Sensations, Last Gasp Collective, WMU Broncords, Red Sea Pedestrians, Kari Lynch Band, Hired Hands, David Lloyd, Heartside Harmony, Karl Schrock, Rich & Stacy Ridenour, Dixon’s Violin and Tom Knific Jazz Quartet. In addition, there are specialty and theatre acts, and more. See the complete lineup, times and locations online at newyearsfest.com.

SETH BERNARD, HEAVY COLOR
LADY ACE BOOGIE, THE GO ROUNDS
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $30 advance, $35 day of show
Where: Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapids

This special evening to usher in 2018 hosted by WYCE (88.1 FM) is a treasure trove of diverse regional music with Earthwork Music collective founder, singer-songwriter and all-around musical hero Seth Bernard leading the way, with Grand Rapids hip hop artist Lady Ace Boogie, Kalamazoo rock favorites The Go Rounds and Toledo “future beat/psych jazz/electronic” duo Heavy Color adding to the celebratory flavor.

This WYCE New Year’s Eve show at Wealthy Theatre usually sells out, so don’t dilly dally when purchasing tickets. Details, tickets online here.

DESMOND JONES
EL BRANDINO
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $12
Where: Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill, Grand Rapids

This is the second year in a row that Desmond Jones has powered up New Year’s Eve jams at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill with its distinctive funk, rock, jazz and party vibe – and they’ll do it with a happy throng of friends who appreciate the group’s energetic approach.

To add to the fun, El Brandino will open the evening with music influenced by the likes of classic rock, bluegrass, funk, soul and jam music. Get tickets and details online here.

(This is actually the second show of the day for the Tip Top, which also host The Riverside Shivers – with Josh Leonard, Bryce Zyrkel and Tonia Bug – at 3 p.m., $5.)

JIVE AT FIVE
When: 9 p.m. Sunday
Tickets: $45 (includes three-course dinner)
Where: Salt of the Earth, 114 E. Main St., Fennville

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with dinner at Salt of the Earth, followed by a performance by “Michigan’s favorite swing combo” Jive at Five, a Fennville-based band that was “inspired by the small combo traditions of the 1930-1960 swing and jazz legends.”

The band – featuring Tom T. Ball on upright bass, Mark Schrock on electric guitar and vocals, Frank Youngman on trumpet, archtop acoustic guitar and vocals, Charlie Walmsley on keyboards and vocals, Gene Harris on saxophone, Dan Giacobassi on saxophone and flute, and Dave Zerbe on drums– takes the stage at 9 p.m. Call (269) 561-7258 for reservations.

UNDER-THE-RADAR PICKS

Nordlund playing Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill in Grand Rapids, 7 p.m. Wednesday, free – Before moving to Wisconsin, singer-songwriter R.J. Nordlund made a bit of a splash in Grand Rapids with his bracing music. He’s back for the holidays with a fine new solo album to boot. Details online here.

Jack Leaver playing Cedar Springs Brewing in Cedar Springs, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, free – Singer and guitarist Jack Leaver has a mammoth inventory of cover songs at his disposal, not to mention a bunch of impressive solo tunes.

Kevin Jones: The Music of Tenth World at One Trick Pony in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Thursday, free – Check out some bracing jazz in this cozy hot spot with Evan Hyde on drums, Michael Doyle on saxophone, Charles Johnson on bass, Paul Lesinski on piano and Kevin Jones on conga and percussion. Call 235-7669 for reservations.

Local Showcase No. 19 at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Friday, $7 advance, $10 day of show – AUR, Fyrrh, Glum, Queen Bee and Dream get spotlighted as part of this Local Showcase at The Pyramid Scheme. Doors open at 8 p.m.

TMG Presents AllStar JR at Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, $16 advance, $20 day of show – This “holiday break event” features Detroit rapper AllStar JR with entry restricted to those in high school and up. (Must have school ID.) Meet-and-greet tickets are available for $30. Details online here.

Michigan Mark & The Aardvark Conspiracy playing The Riverbend Bar, 8124 E. Fulton St. in Ada, 9 p.m. Saturday, free — Michigan Mark says his band will be “ringing in the New Year early” with a fun night that should fill the dance floor.

Beats and Bubbly at The Intersection in Grand Rapids, 8 p.m. Sunday, $15 advance, $20 day of show – Mike from “Mojo in the Morning” and Choff host this WSNX party at The Intersection, with party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. It’s an 18-and-older event.

Resolution Ball GR at 20 Monroe Live, 9 p.m. Sunday, $85 ($115 VIP) – This soiree is described as “the largest and most exclusive” New Year’s Eve party in Grand Rapids, a bash boasting a “Chicago-Vegas style” experience with performances by Dan “Danimal” Tartol, Shannon Williams, Daredevil Circus and GL&M Productions, plus DJ Jay Vee in The Vanguard Room for VIPs. Of course, there’s also a buffet, a champagne reception and more. Doors open at 8 p.m. There’s also a late-night pass available for $50, with entry after 10 p.m. Tickets available here.

Back to the ’90s: NYE ’90s VS 2000s at The Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids, 9 p.m. Sunday, $20 advance, $30 day of show – DJ Snax, SuperDre, Auto-Pilot, AB and DJ Composition fire up the music for this New Year’s Eve party. Tickets and info online here.

Rockin’ New Year’s Eve at Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub in Grand Rapids, 8:30 p.m. Sunday – The Fabulous Vans, The Amber Tide, Spirit Week, Skinjacket and Fathom XIX rock the rafters at Quinn & Tuite’s for this New Year’s Eve bash.

LIST OF NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOWS: Sunday, Dec. 31

Greg Miller, Sunday Brunch Series, JW Marriott
Desmond Jones, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
New Year’s Eve Resolution Ball, 20 Monroe Live
Mike Frost Trio With Noelle Frost, The Rendezvous @ Amway Grand Plaza
John Shea, JW Marriott
The Accidentals/Jake Allen/The Crane Wives/Stephie James, Founders Brewing Co. (Dec. 30-31)
Beats & Bubbly, Mike (Mojo in the Morning)/Choff, The Intersection
Radical 80s New Year’s Eve, Billy’s Lounge
The Bloody Lips/Pharoin, Mulligan’s Pub
Azz Izz, Potter’s Log Cabin Bar
Palomino Blonde, River City Saloon
Astro Jackson, Back Forty Saloon
Decades, Flanagan’s Irish Pub
The Fabulous Vans/The Amber Tide/Spirit Week/Skin Jacket, Quinn & Tuite’s Irish Pub
DJ Faren, New Year’s Eve Party, Rockwell Republic
Various DJs, New Year’s Eve Ballroom Bashes, Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and JW Marriott
JumpStart, Lake Michigan Sports Bar
Jack Leaver, Cedar Springs Brewing Co., Cedar Springs
River City Jazz Ensemble, Boat & Canoe Club, North Park
Rdge Of Midnight, Bier Distillery, Comstock Park
Trixy Tang, Nick Fink’s, Comstock Park
The Next/Stevie Reidz, New Year’s Eve Party, Reds, Middleville
The Jetts, Bostwick Lake Inn, Rockford
DJ Eric, New Year’s Eve Dance Party, Smyrna Bar, Smyrna
Hattrick, Woody’s Press Box, Wyoming
Blue Disciples, Trail Point Brewing Co., Allendale
Oregon Dreamchild Featuring Rich Burkholder, Kirby House, Grand Haven
Disco Dance New Year’s Eve Party, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
Seth Glier New Year’s Eve, Seven Steps Up, Spring Lake
Three’s A Crowd, New Year’s Eve Party, Jack’s Waterfront Bistro + Bar, Spring Lake
Edye Evans Hyde, New Year’s Eve Gatsby Style, 18th Amendment, Muskegon
Grayson Barton, Hilliard’s Corner Lounge, Wayland
A Mays & Blue/CP2/Brena, Gun Lake Casino, Wayland
Jive At Five, Salt Of The Earth, Fennville
New Year’s Fest, downtown Kalamazoo Kari Lynch, Red Sea Pedestrians, Last Gasp Collective, Denise Davis
Groovement, The Union Cabaret & Grille, Kalamazoo
Joe Hertler & The Rainbow Seekers: 90s Night, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo (Dec. 30-31)
Blackfront Ink, The Music Factory, Battle Creek
The Love Revival Orchestra/DJ, New Year’s Eve Party, Firekeepers Casino, Battle Creek
Ali Garland & Awesome Sauce, New Year’s Eve Party, JB’s Whiskey Creek, Springfield
Memphis Underground, New Year’s Eve Party, Acorn Theater, Three Oaks
The Andrew Fisher Quartet, The Livery, Benton Harbor

ON THE HORIZON

Tuesday, Jan. 2
Take Three Jazz Ensemble, The Grand, Grand Haven
Wally Michaels, Salt & Pepper, Holland

Wednesday, Jan. 3
Dave Palmer and His Only Friends wsg Van Mason, SpeakEZ Lounge
Tom Hagen Trio Featuring Rick Reuther, Noto’s, Cascade
Jason Wheeler & Friends, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Cedar Springs
JMM Jazz, Black Sheep Baa & Grill, Holland

Thursday, Jan. 4
Jocelyn & Chris Arndt/Red Rio, Founders Brewing Company
Lighting Matches, One Trick Pony
Christopher C. Cordle/Sandra Effert/Emma Guzman, Mulligan’s Pub
Tom Petty Tribute (supergroup from Hazy Past, Melophobix, Desmond Jones, Devin And The Dead Frets, The Insane Theatre, Jack Leaver, Nicholas James And The Bandwagon), Rockford Brewing Co., Rockford
Luke Winlow-King, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo

Friday, Jan. 5
Boy Band Review, 20 Monroe Live
John Shea, JW Marriott
Elvis Birthday Tribute, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
First Friday, Linc Up
DC-90, Grand Woods Lounge
Funkle Jesse, H.O.M.E. At The B.O.B.
Jimmie Stagger, Billy’s Lounge
SXX/19TilDawn/BlackFront Ink, Mulligan’s Pub
Kathy Lamar/Bob VanStee/Kevin Jones, Noto’s, Cascade
The Preserver, LowellArts House Concert, Lowell
Tyler Hilton & Kate Vogele, Seven Step Up, Spring Lake
Plain Jane Glory, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
Big Foot Buffalo, Our Brewing, Holland
Toomuchofagoodthing, New Holland Brewing’s Pub On 8th, Holland
Trapped On Mars, McDuff’s Bar & Grille, Wayland
The Wizard Of Oz, Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo (Jan. 5-7)
Delilah DeWylde, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
Veer Union, The Music Factory, Battle Creek

Saturday, Jan. 6
Grand Rapids Symphony, Pokemon Symphonic Evolutions, DeVos Performance Hall
Mike Frost Trio, JW Marriott
Appetite For Destruction/Overdrive Orchestra/Brain Transplants, Founders Brewing Company
Abigail Stauffer, One Trick Pony
Shane Tripp (album release)/The Howlers (album release)/AM Stations/Lost System, The Pyramid Scheme
Red Legs/Autumnatic/Telegraf, The Stache inside The Intersection
Skyking/Ars Nova, Mulligan’s Pub
Starfarm, Billy’s Lounge
Harper And The Midwest Kind, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
Electric Red, Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Avon Bomb, H.O.M.E. At The B.O.B.
John Shea, Noto’s, Cascade
Jack’s Label Maker, Bier Distillery, Comstock Park
Bruce Matthews Band, LowellArts House Concert/Album-Release Show, Lowell
Hey Marco! (Steely Dan tribute), Park Theatre, Holland
Desmond Jones, Grand Armory Brewing, Grand Haven
Catfish & the Man, Hennessy’s Pub, Muskegon
DC-90, McDuff’s Bar & Grille, Wayland
The Wizard Of Oz, Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo (Jan. 5-7)
Organissimo, Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo
Painted Shapes/Treading Bleu/Trifocal/Crash City Saints, Louie’s, Kalamazoo
Big Boss Band, Old Dog Tavern, Kalamazoo
Brian VanderArk, The Livery, Benton Harbor
Frankie Ballard, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee

Sunday, Jan. 7
Mike Hyde & Mike Frost, Sunday Brunch, JW Marriott
River North, Jazz Brunch, The Old Goat
Skillet/Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes/Building 429/John Crist/KB/NewSong/Jordan Feliz/Nick Hall/Dan Bremnes/Mallory Hope/Westover: Winter Jam 2018, Van Andel Arena
Ava Ordman, trombone/Derek Polischuk, piano, “Music By Women Composers,” Sunday Classical Concert Series, Grand Rapids Art Museum
River Rogues Dixieland Jazz Band, Harmony Hall
Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, Founders Brewing Company
Randy Marsh & Friends, SpeakEZ Lounge
Jeff Shepherd/Adam Lee, Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill
Jim Spalink, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Cedar Springs
Abigail Stauffer, C3 Spiritual Connection, Community Center, Grand Haven
Luke Winslow-King, Salt Of The Earth, Fennville
Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World Exhibit closes, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo (Sept. 30-Jan. 7)
The Wizard Of Oz, Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo (Jan. 5-7)

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