Local Spins’ week-in-music roundup travels from GR to Kalamazoo to showcase national touring acts such as Vampa and Ella Langley, local stars Hannah Laine, Jessica Ivey and Santino Jones and more.
‘Nothing Sweeter’: TobyMac engages with fans during his headlining set on Sunday. (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
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As far as showcasing Michigan artists, Friday’s rollicking WYCE Jammie Awards show at The Intersection in Grand Rapids dominated the weekend with a packed house and performances by 18 bands.
But it wasn’t the only musical game in town, so to speak.
Local Spins Wednesdays’ “Tribute Month” at SpeakEZ Lounge wrapped up February with the Captain & The Kid tribute to Jimmy Buffett on Wednesday night to heat up fans mid-week with island classics performed by Dennie Middleton, Colin Tobin and Everett Domeier.
Bell’s Brewery Eccentric Cafe kicked off its Spring Concert Series (starring Michigan acts) in Kalamazoo on Thursday (the same night that country pop’s Ella Langley and electronic music’s Vampa, Jeanie, Sinder and Bluejay played different venues in The Intersection), West Michigan indie band Valley Girl celebrated its 10th anniversary at its “favorite venue” The Pyramid Scheme with The Hacky Turtles on Saturday, and TobyMac closed out the weekend at Van Andel Arena with help from Crowder, CAIN, Ryan Stevenson and Terrian.
Get the recaps and photos below. And view full coverage of the WYCE Jammie Awards at The Intersection on Friday.
TOBYMAC AND FRIENDS AT VAN ANDEL ARENA
“You filled it up, Grand Rapids,” singer-songwriter TobyMac exclaimed to a sold-out Van Andel Arena. “So we’re giving you a nice, long show.”
The Grammy Award-winning artist and his Diverse City band made good on his word Sunday, providing a 24-song evening crowned with both serious and light-hearted moments.
His music provides snapshots of his life. He said the most important song he ever wrote is “Love Broke Through,” about the day he first came to faith. “Help Is On the Way” is one of the songs that came out of the experience of losing his oldest son to a drug overdose in 2019.
Golden Trio: CAIN (Photo/Jamie Geysbeek)
A more carefree Toby took on the challenge of combining shortened versions of five of his songs into a single five minute period, with a countdown clock looming on the screen behind the stage
He was right on time, even taming the often drawn-out “Funky Jesus Music” which features its own horn section. “Nothing Sweeter” and “God Did It” were among new songs to be released on his forthcoming album “Heaven On My Mind.” The singer answered the love of the crowd with his concluding “Thankful For You.”
Earlier, David Crowder spun out his blend of Southern/techo blues, rock & soul with stomping showcases such as “Grave Robber.” But a country-fied “hoedown” near the end of his set combined “I Saw the Light” and “I’ll Fly Away,” two old-time gospel favorites.
The trio CAIN performed its lyrically re-written cover of The Beatles’ “Come Together” with its newly-inserted bridge. Highlights came with their harmonies in “Rise Up (Lazarus)” and “I’m So Blessed.”
Also on bill were Terrian and Ryan Stevenson. – Terry DeBoer
PHOTO GALLERY: TobyMac, Crowder, CAIN, Ryan Stevenson, Terrian
Van Andel Arena (Sunday)
Photos by Jamie Geysbeek
PHOTO GALLERY: Valley Girl, The Hacky Turtles at The Pyramid Scheme (Saturday)
Photos by Chelsea Whitaker
PHOTO GALLERY: Ella Langley at Elevation (Thursday)
Photos by Eric Stoike
